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Resources

Learn about automation and how to get started with our articles, videos, customer stories, whitepapers, and more.


ROI vs. TCO: What Really Matters in Automation (Excerpt from Automate Now)

We recently published our full-length book, Automate Now, built on 300+ years of combined manufacturing expertise. Below is a sneak peek at one of the most valuable chapters, TCO vs. ROI: What Really Matters in Automation, a deep dive into why ROI doesn't tell the full story of the true cost of automation.  Want the entire book? Get your free copy here.  TCO vs. ROI:...

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Automate Now: The Only Book You Need to Master Production Automation

It’s official: Formic’s full-length book, Automate Now, is out in the world. At more than 200 pages, the book compiles over 300 years of collective manufacturing expertise into a single, practical guide. We wrote Automate Now to answer the most common question we hear from CPG and food & beverage manufacturers: “How do I get started with automation?”  That simple...

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Rented Robots Get the Worst Jobs and Help Factories Keep the Humans [Formic in The New York Times]

Formic’s Full Service Automation model was recently spotlighted in The New York Times as a solution for closing labor gaps, boosting productivity, and keeping U.S. manufacturing competitive. Formic's customer, S&F Foods, emphasized how bringing in Formic's automation improved employees' lives: “We have very low turnover because we try to make jobs easier,” said Mike Calleja, Plant Manager. “We are a...

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Your End of Line Automation Roadmap (Excerpt from Automate Now)

We recently published our full-length book, Automate Now, built on 300+ years of combined manufacturing expertise. Below is a sneak peek at one of the most valuable chapters, Your End-of-Line Automation Roadmap, a practical guide to laying the foundation for automation success the first time. Want the entire book? Get your free copy here.  Getting Started with Automation You’re on board with...

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How Sunrise Family Farms Is Using Automation to Preserve Tradition and Scale Smarter

For more than 25 years, Sunrise Family Farms has crafted yogurt, kefir, and buttermilk from locally sourced milk in Norwich, New York. What began in founder Dave Evans’ backyard —  drawing on three generations of dairy farming — has grown into a thriving creamery just down the road, now led by Charlie Reinshagen and Roland Klimm, representing the next chapters of the...

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Automation in Action: Inside Mariani Packing’s Facility Tour & Panel on Why Manufacturers Can’t Wait to Automate

Last week, in Vacaville, CA, Mariani Packing’s facility buzzed with conversation. Leaders from food, beverage, and CPG companies — including Lundberg Family Farms, Grower Direct Nut, Superior Farms, Straus Family Creamery, and Victor Packing — had gathered for a day of learning, touring, and open discussion about automation. The event was part of the Formic Automation Community series, designed to...

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Charting the Future: ALTA Foods Expands Automation to Strengthen Operations

ALTA Foods has been at the forefront of automation for a long time. The 18-year-old tortilla manufacturer has embraced automation as a way to boost throughput, reduce labor strain, and keep up with growing demand from major retailers. In fact, much of ALTA’s production line, from mixing to bagging, is already fully automated, making ALTA a standout in a niche industry...

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90 Years of Snacks, Now Built for Agility: Wyandot Snacks Automates to Scale Production

Born during the Great Depression, when popcorn became America’s favorite affordable treat, Wyandot Snacks started as a humble popcorn company in Marion, Ohio. Decades later, they were popping at full throttle, producing over 25% of the world’s popcorn and even making Cracker Jack for Frito-Lay. Today, Wyandot continues that growth from a regional popcorn producer to a go-to co-manufacturer for some of...

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How Boxed Water Is Taking the Strain Out of the Line with Automation

At Boxed Water, sustainability drives every decision, from manufacturing cartons made of up to 96% plant-based materials to planting over 1.5 million trees across the United States. Consumers are responding, and demand for the product continues to soar. But as orders spike further during the hottest months of the year, employees at the company’s Holland, Michigan, facility face a tough...

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Venus Wafers Cracks the Smart Manufacturing Code with Automated Palletizing

For nearly a century, Venus Wafers has proudly served as a pillar of New England’s food manufacturing community, producing premium crackers and flatbreads for leading private label and specialty brands such as CäPeachio’s, Mariner, and South Shore. Now, under the new ownership of David Lewis and a revitalized leadership team, the company is entering a new era marked by innovation, investment, and...

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