The Food & Beverage Masterclass, hosted by Universal Robots on 4 June, 2026 at Riseholme Park in Lincoln, brought together industry professionals for a practical and engaging half-day event focused on end‑of‑line automation with collaborative robots (cobots).
Designed to give attendees a clear understanding of how automation can be successfully implemented in food and beverage and FMCG environments, the session combined expert insight with live demonstrations and real-world application examples.
Throughout the morning, visitors had the opportunity to explore how cobots can help tackle ongoing industry challenges such as labour shortages, the need for improved consistency, and increasing pressure to deliver strong return on investment.
A key focus of the day was showcasing practical applications, with live demonstrations covering processes such as palletising, packaging, pick and place, and material handling. These demonstrations helped illustrate how flexible automation solutions can be deployed across a range of end‑of‑line tasks to improve productivity, quality, and ergonomics on the factory floor.
The event was specifically aimed at end users, providing a valuable opportunity to meet with experts from across the automation supply chain in one location. Attendees were able to speak directly with specialists in grippers, vision systems, robotics and integration, enabling them to gain tailored advice and discuss their individual production challenges in detail.
Integral to the success of the day was the support of four integration partners: Olympus Technologies (Adam Swallow), Protec (Alex Neal), Robotics and Automation (Mike Sharpe), and Jention (Russell Scion).
Each partner showcased a range of cobot-driven applications relevant to the food industry, demonstrating how collaborative robotics can be effectively applied to both packing and processing operations. These hands‑on examples helped bring automation concepts to life, allowing visitors to see first-hand how solutions could be implemented in their own facilities.
The Masterclass also created a collaborative environment for networking and knowledge exchange, with attendees ranging from production managers and engineers to business leaders exploring automation strategies.
Overall, the event delivered on its aim to provide practical, actionable insight into food and beverage automation. Attendees left with a stronger understanding of where cobots can add value within their operations, as well as clear next steps for beginning or expanding their automation journey.
