This week at PACK EXPO Southeast in Atlanta, Formic connected with thousands of industry leaders, innovators, and forward-thinkers to explore how we’re making automation easier and more accessible while transforming factory line work. Attendees stopped by to see our live palletizer demo in action, learn about the benefits of Full Service Automation, and hear insights from our Founder and CEO, Saman Farid, on how to get automation deployment right the first time during his Innovation Stage session.
Additionally, across the three days of the trade show, the Formic team was asked many interesting questions about getting started with automation, and we’ve included a handful of answers to the most common questions below.
Day 1
On day one of the trade show, the Formic team hit the floor with live automated palletizer demos. Attendees stopped by to explore key considerations like installation downtime, maintenance requirements, and scalability. Formic’s Full Service Automation model was created to ensure ease of deployment and equipment flexibility because we know these are major factors to consider when changing a facility’s production flow.
Plus, early booth visitors got specialized Formic swag that highlight the time and cost benefits of automation: Robots don’t discriminate when it comes to first, second, or third shift!
Day 2
On day two of the trade show, Formic’s Founder and CEO, Saman Farid, presented on the Innovation Stage — exploring ways to avoid the automation “tarp of shame” and succeed with automation the first time. Farid broke down the current industry challenges driving automation, like labor scarcity, rising material costs, and safety concerns, and the three automation options available to address them.
One option, Full Service Automation — Formic’s speciality — makes it easy to automate production with no CapEx, experience, or hiring required. Finally, Farid answered everyone’s question about automation: “But where do I start?”.
If you want a free automation evaluation, use code “FormicAtPACK” and contact us at [email protected].
Day 3
On day three of the trade show, Formic’s VP of Sales did a deep dive into our Automate NOW palletizers at the booth. With month-to-month agreements, full operational support, and $0 CapEx, it’s the easiest way to automate manual stacking operations.
While the trade show winded down and attendees filtered out, our robotic palletizer continued working around the clock at the booth.
Your Trade Show Questions Answered
- What financing or agreement options are available for automation equipment?
- Formic offers monthly and yearly agreements that include 24/7 tech support, 100% preventive and corrective maintenance, team training, contracted performance rates, and unlimited equipment swapping as business needs change. If needs change, cancel with 30 days notice any time.
- What is the installation timeline and how much downtime should I expect?
- Formic has lead times of 10 weeks or less, and an 8 week estimate if your project falls within our Automate NOW program. We deploy around your production, meaning you can expect minimal to no downtime across our installation period. For example, one of our customers, Land O’Frost, deployed two Formic palletizers over two weekends with no downtime.
- How do I calculate the ROI of an automated palletizer or case packer?
- With Formic’s Full Service Automation model, calculating ROI is much simpler compared to traditional automation investments. Instead of a large upfront capital expense, Formic provides automation as a service with zero upfront cost and a pay-for-performance structure — meaning you only pay when the system is running and producing. With no CapEx, no maintenance costs, and a usage-based pricing model, manufacturers see immediate productivity gains and positive cash flow from day one. Plus: the more you use the equipment, the cheaper it is.
- What level of maintenance and technical expertise is required to keep the system running?
- Traditionally, deploying automation requires hiring internal expertise to ensure the system continues running optimally. Even if the system doesn’t ever break down, preventive maintenance will be required at some point. With Formic, no hiring is required because we handle all of the automation so you can focus on business growth. This includes predictive, preventative, and corrective maintenance.
- What happens if my production needs change? Can the system be modified or upgraded?
- Historically, automating required buying an automated system outright and crossing your fingers that your business needs didn’t change too much until you fully realized your investment. But with Formic, companies can swap equipment as business needs change as often as needed.
- How do you convince skeptical employees that robots are here to help, not take their jobs?
- The best way to ensure a smooth transition from no automation on the factory floor to employees working alongside it, is to get them involved from the beginning. Have a conversation with employees about why the business is deploying automation and how it will benefit them by transitioning them to more creative and less ergonomically-straining tasks like bending, lifting, and twisting. For example, one of our customers, Taffy Town, added automation to retain valuable employees and improve their lives inside and outside of work.