Case Study: Unilever reduces packaging time with Universal Robots UR10 cobots

Cobots Speed Up the Palletizing Process and Improve Work Ergonomics at Unilever

Unilever, the global FMCG company, faced a shortage of workers for monotonous and physically demanding packaging and palletizing tasks at its Katowice, Poland tea plant. To address this challenge, Unilever worked with Universal Robots and tested the UR10 collaborative robot for handling tea cartons and preparing pallets.

Universal Robots implemented six UR10 cobots to automate palletizing across two production lines, using vacuum grippers and flexible programming to handle different box sizes and stacking patterns. The solution reduced packaging time, improved ergonomics, and eliminated strenuous bending work for employees, with each cobot palletizing around 1,100 boxes in an eight-hour shift and achieving an estimated return on investment of about 12 months.

Unilever

Dariusz Ratajczak

Automation Senior Specialist