AUTOMATION AND AI INTEGRATION


PHASE F


rom flexible packaging machinery and connected end-of-line systems to precision depositing technology designed to reduce waste,


confectionery manufacturers are increasingly turning to automation to improve operational resilience and future-proof production. As labour shortages, SKU complexity and rising costs continue to challenge the sector, suppliers are responding with scalable solutions


capable of delivering greater


efficiency, improved consistency and smarter manufacturing performance.


Smarter packaging solutions One company positioning itself to meet the demand of labour shortages, rising operational costs and increasing pressure for production flexibility is Technosys, part of the Autopack Group, which has announced a major expansion of its Gainsborough manufacturing facility following increased demand for its UK-built vertical form fill and seal (VFFS) machinery across the UK and Europe. The business has doubled its production


footprint by taking additional factory space, enabling increased machine manufacturing capacity alongside the ability to demonstrate and test complete production lines for customers. The move also supports the launch of two new machine models later this year, both of which will be manufactured at the expanded site. The development reflects a broader trend


across confectionery manufacturing, where producers


are increasingly investing in


automation technologies capable of improving efficiency, reducing downtime and supporting more agile packaging operations. VFFS systems have become an important


part of modern confectionery production environments due to their ability to handle multiple pack formats, maintain throughput speeds and support rapid product changeovers. For manufacturers balancing high-volume seasonal production with growing SKU complexity, flexible automation is becoming increasingly critical. “The expansion is great news for our business


30 • KENNEDY’S CONFECTION • MAY 2026


and our customers with a stronger, larger manufacturing and service base,” said James Nelson, Production Manager at Technosys. “We manufacture cost-effective machines


that can help businesses automate and improve their productivity, which everybody is looking for right now. We have the right machines at the right time for the market.” The investment forms part of a wider £3 million growth strategy across Autopack Group’s UK operations and includes active recruitment initiatives aimed at strengthening engineering


AUTOMATION CONFECTIONERY’S NEXT


POWERS


As confectionery manufacturers face mounting pressure to improve efficiency, flexibility and throughput, investment in automation, intelligent packaging systems and AI-driven production optimisation is accelerating across the sector.


and service capabilities. For confectionery businesses, where


WE MANUFACTURE COST- EFFECTIVE MACHINES THAT CAN HELP BUSINESSES


AUTOMATE AND IMPROVE THEIR PRODUCTIVITY, WHICH EVERYBODY IS LOOKING


FOR RIGHT NOW.” — JAMES NELSON, PRODUCTION MANAGER, TECHNOSYS


recruitment and retention challenges continue to impact factory operations, suppliers investing in workforce development alongside automation technologies are becoming increasingly valuable partners. “This investment underlines the ambition we


have for the group,” added Wayne Kedward, Managing Director of Autopack Group. “We are ready to invest in our acquisitions


and give them the tools to grow. We also want to nurture our workforce and expand our team to give our customers the best service and expertise.” Technosys manufactures a range of VFFS


machinery, from the entry-level A100 through to the more adaptable A400 platform, with applications spanning food, petfood, chemicals and component packaging. The systems have gained traction among SMEs due to their operational flexibility and comparatively accessible price point — an increasingly important consideration for smaller confectionery producers looking to automate without committing to large-scale capital expenditure. The company’s growth also points to the


wider convergence of automation, data-led manufacturing and AI-assisted production optimisation within food and confectionery processing environments. Although the announcement


focuses


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