With their agility and ability to swiftly evolve, SMEs are often a breeding ground for groundbreaking ideas and innovation which is helping to shape the landscape within the industries they operate within. SMEs make up a staggering 99.9% of the UK’s private sector with a total turnover estimated at £2.4 trillion.

Yet, for all their prominence, SMEs face an ongoing challenge within the current climate – the struggle to remain competitive with fewer resources at their disposal than their larger counterparts.

A critical facilitator in driving competitiveness lies in automation. Adopting automation can be a powerful tool to increase efficiency, drive down costs, and pave the way for strategic growth.

While high-spec systems might seem inaccessible to SMEs, in reality, it is precisely these businesses that stand to gain the most from automated systems. They possess the dynamism to rapidly adopt change and the drive to optimise performance, which are foundational pillars for the successful deployment of automation.

For SMEs that have yet to take the plunge, the time is ripe. The UK’s commitment to supporting small to medium-sized businesses has been underscored by the Government-backed programme ‘Made Smarter’. Last year it was announced that this programme, which helps SMEs access technology and digital skills, would be expanded to all nine English regions in 2025-26 before being rolled out across Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland from 2026-27. As a result, hundreds of thousands of SME manufacturers will get access to technology advice, leadership, and skills training, as well as grant funding for technology projects.

Here, Endoline Automation explores how SMEs can strategically and practically approach automation, demystifying the process and transforming what might seem like a daunting leap into an achievable stride forward.

The importance of flexibility in a dynamic world

SMEs are no strangers to change. They often find themselves adapting their business models and strategies to meet the changing demands of the market. In this climate, adaptability is paramount.

Automation systems should not merely cater to an SME’s current needs but also have the ability to accommodate future growth. For instance, investing in automation that can be easily reconfigured and re-engineered with new technologies ensures that the system will grow in tandem with the business.

Legacy systems have traditionally been perceived as inflexible, but this is not always the case. Today, many of Endoline Automation’s systems have been in place for decades, retrofitted with the latest technology and updated over the years to ensure that they remain useful and efficient. The portability of systems is equally crucial. SMEs might upgrade or relocate their facilities, and their automation equipment should be able to move with them, minimising disruption, and additional costs.

Calculating the investment

Every financial decision made by an SME must be tailored to ensure a swift and sound return. Investment in automation is no exception. While the up-front costs may seem high, the long-term gains from investing in quality, well-built systems will justify the expenditure.

The key here is not to fall for bells and whistles that inflate costs without adding significant value. SMEs need to seek out solutions that offer a pragmatic blend of functionality, efficiency, and longevity. End-of-line equipment does not need to be extravagant; it just has to be well-suited to a business’s unique needs.

Streamlining Integration and Operation

Ease of use can be the make-or-break factor for an SME venturing into automation. Smooth and intuitive operations are not merely a convenience; they are vital to prevent any disruptions that could erode the production line’s efficiency and, ultimately, the bottom line.

Partnering with suppliers who understand the specificity of SME operations is invaluable. They should offer comprehensive training and on-site support to ensure factory floor staff can operate and maintain the automated system with confidence.

Gradual Automation Commitment

The adage “Don’t run before you can walk” has particular resonance in the context of SME automation. It is not a race, but a marathon. A strategic, phased approach—starting small and scaling up—allows the business to acclimate to automation while still benefiting from key efficiency enhancements.

Begin with automating key, repetitive tasks that yield high returns. This could be as simple as automating the case erecting and sealing process while retaining a level of manual labour that augments the automated systems and supports the transition. Automation can also support the upskilling of staff.

The Importance of Partnerships

Sourcing automation equipment from reputable suppliers is akin to laying a solid foundation.

With an established supplier, the SME inherits the supplier’s legacy of quality and support, gaining access to a network of specialists, service engineers, and spare parts readily available when needed.

SMEs, more than any other business category, must value the stability that comes with reliable partnerships. Endoline Automation has spent decades serving SMEs, and their technological innovations have been proven in the field, providing tangible benefits to a range of businesses.

Case Studies in Success

Demonstrating the effectiveness of automation for SMEs, Endoline Automation has worked with many SMEs over the years, including Marshfield Farm and Ramona’s Kitchen. These firms, in their distinct industries, have experienced significant increases in efficiency, output, and overall performance by adopting automation.

Supporting the growth of Marshfield Farm, a family-run ice-cream producer, Endoline upgraded an existing case erecting system to manage an increase in demand, reduce labour costs and reduce packaging waste.

Ramonas Kitchen, a supplier of high-quality Mediterranean-inspired foods, increased output by 100% after installing automated case-erecting and sealing systems to meet the challenge of exponential growth while maintaining exceptional quality and service standards.

The UK’s commitment to supporting manufacturing through programs such as Made Smarter stands as a beacon, illuminating the path for SMEs. With this strategic guide in hand, SMEs can approach automation with confidence, focusing on adaptability, efficiency, and growth.

 

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How automation will support the rise of the co-packers

The UK is one of the biggest hubs for e-commerce, with 60 million users digitally purchasing goods.

Over a quarter of all retail sales are driven by e-commerce and third-party logistic companies (3PLs) and co-packers are increasingly playing a supporting role to sustain growth and manage fulfilment.

Offering accurate and efficient end-to-end fulfilment services, co-packing sites are built around flexibility and agility. We are witnessing an increase in demand for automated and robotic solutions from co-packers and believe that this trend will gain traction, particularly as warehouse labour shortages continue to impact the sector.

Automation is helping co-packers remain agile and responsive to evolving customer needs, and flexible, random solutions will become increasingly sought after to ensure maximum return on investment is achieved. Systems that can manage a multitude of high-speed product runs, regardless of size, will not only streamline operations but ensure that the co-packer can increase capacity.

Demand for energy-efficient automation will also grow as customers push ahead with sustainable objectives. Systems which enable instant acceleration and deceleration while only using power when needed.

 

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Endoline Automation, one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of end-of-line packaging machines has announced an exciting new USA distributor partnership with Dartronics.

The agreement will see Dartronics manage the distribution of Endoline Automation’s system solutions across the USA and meet the country’s growing need for automation.

A well-established company, Dartronics offers innovative machines and solutions for some of the largest global brands, mainly in the food and cosmetic industries, working with high quality capital equipment manufacturers.

With a huge customer base in the USA, Dartronics has developed huge expertise within the packaging market.

A British manufacturer with over 40 years of engineering expertise, Endoline Automation has a long established reputation for engineering high quality case erecting and case sealing machinery. Significantly, Endoline’s engineering capabilities enables them to customise systems, incorporating technical design components, to meet the specific needs of its global customer base.

With a strong presence in many countries, through direct customer sales and distributor relationships, Endoline’s partnership with USA is underpinned by the reputation both companies have within the packaging equipment industry. “For many years, Endoline has worked with globally renowned manufacturers, setting new standards in end-of-line machinery design to meet the packaging needs of this fast paced sector,” comments James Ramsay, Endoline Automation’s Export Sales Manager.

“We are delighted to announce this new relationship with Dartronics as they complement our expertise, and we hope to be able to continue increasing our presence within the United States with them. Dartronics will be focusing on our high speed equipment for the US market, such as our 734 & 744 Random Case Taper. We know the likes of our 744 is in a class of its own, and we’ve not come across anyone that can achieve random box sealing at 30 cases per minute.”

“We are very excited to form this new partnership,” comments Dartronics, Ken Darrow. “The decision of Dartronics and Endoline to cooperate perfectly meets the requirement to offer a complete range of case erecting, packing, taping and/or gluing equipment, and listen to the real needs of each customer in order to provide an individualised solution. Working with Endoline, we are perfectly equipped to assert these points.”

We are pleased to announce we will have representatives from Endoline Robotics at Interpack 2023.

Interpack is the world’s largest and most important trade fair for the packaging sector and related process industries. With 2583 exhibitors from 55 countries, for packaging machinery, there’s simply nothing as big as interpack!

Showcasing the Delta 3000 Top Loading Case Packer at the forthcoming Interpack, Endoline Robotics (stand E34, Hall 8b) is set to demonstrate the benefits of automation, and the quick return on investment which can be achieved.

Like the company’s palletising systems, the first range launched under the Endoline Robotics division, each case packer is designed and built by Endoline to accommodate various packaging types: bottles, pillow packs, SRP packaging etc.

With a variable throughput speed depending on the application, the case packing systems can also be suited to match a product’s shape and orientation. As with all Endoline systems, the case packer is modular in design and can be fully integrated into existing production lines.

Each Endoline system can also be integrated into a manufacturer’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) or Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) to provide a turnkey operation with real-time data reporting capabilities. Through OEM partnerships, Endoline are also able to integrate additional elements into a line, including stretch wrapping, conveyoring and labelling systems making the line seamless and fully automated.

If you are visiting Interpack and would like to meet with us please send us an email to arrange an appointment.