Case Study: AGV Integration for Heavy Food Manufacturing

At Noreside Engineering, we specialise in helping compliance-driven industries modernise their production facilities with automation solutions. One of the fastest-growing areas of automation is the use of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) to replace manual forklifts for transporting goods. In a recent project, we supported a leading Irish food manufacturer in integrating AGVs to handle the movement of heavy packaged items within their plant.

The Challenge

The client, a large food manufacturer handling heavy packaged products, needed to improve efficiency in its packing and storage areas. Traditionally, forklift trucks were used to transport pallets of finished goods weighing several hundred kilograms between the production floor, storage areas, and dispatch zones. While this approach was functional, it came with challenges. Forklift operations required significant labour, created congestion in busy areas, and introduced safety risks, particularly in high-care production environments. Additionally, forklifts rely on skilled operators and add to operating costs through fuel, training, and maintenance.

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The client wanted a solution that would ensure a constant and reliable flow of heavy food products without depending on manual forklifts. Their goal was to free up staff for higher-value tasks, reduce risks, and make operations more efficient while preparing for future growth in output.

Noreside’s Solution

Working closely with our technology partners, Noreside introduced a system of Automated Guided Vehicles. These driverless forklifts are compact, reliable, and designed for autonomous pallet transport. Using advanced laser navigation, the AGVs can move freely around the facility without requiring rails, tracks, or complex infrastructure.

Our engineers integrated the AGVs into the client’s existing conveyor system so that pallets of finished goods are automatically picked up at the end-of-line and transported to designated storage or dispatch areas. This ensured a seamless link between packaging, storage, and outbound logistics. The installation required minimal disruption to operations, as the AGVs could be mapped to follow existing routes without physical modifications to the facility.

Benefits Delivered

Since the introduction of AGVs, the client has achieved measurable gains:

• Efficiency: Pallets of heavy food items are now moved continuously, ensuring the packing line is never disrupted by delays in transport.

• Safety: By reducing forklift traffic, the manufacturer has lowered the risk of accidents and improved working conditions in high-care environments.

• Cost savings: The AGVs operate around the clock, and labour previously tied to forklift operations has been reassigned to more value-adding tasks.

• Scalability: The system is modular, allowing more AGVs to be added as production volumes increase.

• Compliance: Operating in line with GMP and EHEDG principles, the AGVs contribute to hygienic and controlled production environments.

Why AGVs are Transforming Food Manufacturing

By deploying AGVs, this Irish food manufacturer has transformed the way heavy packaged products are moved across its facility. The result is a safer, more efficient, and more scalable production process. For food and beverage companies, AGVs represent a powerful step toward full automation. With Noreside Engineering’s expertise in conveyor integration and compliance-driven design, AGVs can be deployed as part of a broader strategy to future-proof operations and strengthen supply chains.

About Noreside Engineering

Noreside Engineering, based in Kilkenny, Ireland, has over 30 years of experience in designing and delivering stainless-steel platforms, conveyor systems, and automation solutions. We work with clients in the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries to deliver projects that improve efficiency while meeting stringent hygiene and regulatory requirements. By partnering with leading technology providers, we bring global automation innovations like AGVs to local manufacturers, delivering turnkey systems that are future-ready.

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