The secret ingredient: automation and the future of the bakery industry

Major trends in the bakery industry

Demand for baked goods, including cakes, pastries, bread, biscuits, and cookies is skyrocketing. And the booming market presents both opportunities and challenges. Key trends shaping the industry include:

Healthy alternatives

The global gluten-free bakery market is projected to grow by 7.59% over the next four years. This reflects a growing shift towards healthier options (International Bakery Magazine). Many bakers are responding to this trend by developing gluten-free recipes, reducing sugar content, and incorporating healthier ingredients like protein and fiber.

Artisanal and specialty breads

Bakers are experiencing increasing demand for unique, high-quality breads with interesting flavors and textures. Key aspects of this trend include sourdough breads, flavored breads infused with herbs, fruits, or nuts, and rustic, hand-shaped loaves (Toast Blog).

Plant-based

The rise of the plant-based movement is creating new opportunities for bakeries. A report by Grand View Research shows that the global vegan dessert market is expected to grow by about 10.1% each year from 2022 to 2030.

Sustainability

Eco-conscious baking is also gaining momentum. Locally sourced ingredients and zero-waste practices are key trends in the food industry according to a National Restaurant Association's report. Bakers following this trend will prioritize sourcing ingredients from local farms and producers, offering seasonally-influenced baked goods, and educating customers about ingredient sourcing and sustainability.

Global flavors

Finally, consumers are seeking products that incorporate international flavours and techniques. Baked goods that emerge from collaboration with international chefs or that help educate consumers about cultural significance are especially important.

Whipping up success with bakery automation equipment

For those in the bakery industry facing these emerging demands, ease and efficiency are the name of the game. Automation is emerging as an attractive solution. One of the key ways that bakers can respond is by integrating new machinery and industrial bakery equipment designed with productivity in mind.

However, this can bring up many questions: What is best for my production line? How much will an automated solution cost? What is the best way to get started with automation in my bakery line?

One of the easiest points of entry? Collaborative robot palletizers.

Cobot palletizers and the future of bakery automation

The integration of a collaborative robot palletizer might be exactly what you’re looking for when it comes to efficiency and profitability for your production line.

What exactly is a collaborative robot, or cobot? It’s a type of robot designed to work alongside humans, making tasks easier and safer by sharing the workspace and assisting with repetitive or physically demanding jobs.

In the baking industry, a collaborative robot palletizer tends to be a perfect fit for many reasons.

For one, they feature a completely hygienic design. Many cobots are made with smooth surfaces and minimal crevices, essential for maintaining food safety standards.

Cobots are also constructed from durable materials that can withstand regular cleaning and exposure to sanitizing agents without degrading, ensuring long-term reliability and hygiene.

As an added plus, cobots are cost-effective. Cobots are available as simple and affordable models which are ideal for bakeries new to automation.

Finally, cobots are known to have a small footprint, and are easy to relocate to perform multiple jobs. If you have limited manpower, a cobot can be exactly the right fit. Cobots take care of jobs that tend to be physically challenging, allowing you to relocate human workers to tasks that have higher value for your operations.

Case study: Boulangerie Dumas

The experience of Boulangerie Dumas in Quebec, Canada illustrates the key benefits of automating with a cobot palletizer. Here is a quick summary:

Background: Founded in the early 1990s, Boulangerie Dumas produces a wide range of baked goods, including croissants and puff pastry.

Challenge: The need to remain competitive in American and European markets.

Solution: They integrated the TOMA™ palletizer into their manufacturing process.

Benefits: The TOMA™ palletizer offered Boulangerie Dumas a wide range of benefits:

• Simple programming interface for easy input of box dimensions and palletization options
• Empowers employees to manage and troubleshoot the machine independently
• Handles heavy boxes and various bulk products, alleviating physical strain
• Improves job rotation and boosts productivity

Watch the video for yourself.

Try a new recipe with the power of automation

Automation in the bakery industry is a must for staying competitive and meeting evolving consumer demands in today’s market. The integration of cobots like the TOMA™ palletizer enhances efficiency, addresses labor challenges and allows bakeries to innovate and thrive.