CenFRA Ltd took centre stage in front of leading figures from some of the world’s top companies at the recent 8th Annual World Food Innovation Forum 2009 in Rotterdam.

Michael Taylor, the chairman of the Yorkshire Forward funded organisation – Europe’s only centre for food robotics and automation – was invited to make the keynote speech at the prestigious event in Holland.

He told his audience, which included representatives from Coca-Cola Enterprises, Unilever and Premier Foods, that CenFRA is committed to becoming the beacon organisation for automation activities in the UK food and beverage industry, a sector lagging behind its continental competitors in the use of robotics.

Food companies at the event were urged to engage with centres of excellence like CenFRA so that they can take advantage of the cost-effective automotive and robotic solutions available to help them to remain competitive.

Mr Taylor also addressed the perceived issues some in the industry have surrounding the application of new technology. He said there are cost effective alternatives for almost any manufacturing function, which CenFRA’s innovative simulation technology can assess without interruption to output.

“Discrete event simulation software enables businesses to successfully evaluate and quantify, at very little cost, the benefits and implications of integrating different automation techniques into new or existing production lines on a virtual scale without creating any disruption to current manufacturing operations,” explained Mr Taylor.

He added: “By evaluating the business before any physical changes are made, companies can save thousands of pounds. Flexible automated solutions have been designed to help businesses be better prepared for the challenges that lie ahead and it is important to explore all available options to ensure that the most efficient end solution is chosen.”

Demand for CenFRA’s knowledge and expertise in automation and robotics for the food industry is spreading beyond its Yorkshire boundaries. Its presence at the World Food Innovation Forum follows invitations to the Farexchange Programme’s annual conference, the PPMA Show in Birmingham and Motek in Stuttgart.

Background Information

CenFRA Ltd (Centre for Food Robotics and Automation) is an initiative whose vision is “To support the future sustainability of the UK Food and Drink industry by providing independent, affordable automation solutions”.

Funded principally by Yorkshire Forward but with additional support from Northern Way (an amalgamation of the three Northern-based Regional Development Agencies) the Centre is in partnership with a consortium of the country’s leading independent robotic and automation facilities.

Driven by food industry professionals CenFRA is committed to improving the competitiveness, profitability and sustainability of the UK Food and Drink companies by:

Introducing companies to robotics and automation through technology audits, identification of opportunities and practical independent advice on equipment and its suitability.

The CenFRA organisation is Europe’s first Centre for Food Robotics and Automation and is located in Crompton Business Park at Doncaster. It is supported by a dedicated team of professional engineers, researchers and technologists drawn from a wide variety of academic and specialist engineering centres. All are highly experienced in the field of mechanised food assembly and automation technology.

For further information please contact:

David Cheeseman, Commercial Director,CenFRA Ltd, 1 Crompton Business Park,Crompton Road, Doncaster, Tel: 01302 765680  – Email: david.cheeseman@cenfra.co.uk

www.cenfra.co.uk