Arla Foods, the world’s largest manufacturer of organic dairy products, has invested in four JBT automated vehicles for its cheese factory in Taulov (Denmark) – vehicles that have a proven record of reducing pallet and product damage.
An international dairy company owned by 12,700 farmers from Denmark, Sweden, the UK, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, Arla markets a wide range of high quality dairy products, including well-known brands Lurpak® and Castello®.
The company focuses on eight dairy categories: milk and powder, milk-based beverages, spreadable cheese, yogurt, butter and spreads, speciality cheese, Mozzarella and value-added whey.
Automated solution
Arla’s fully-automated JBT vehicles will transport full and empty trays between two levels of gravity racking, two production cells, and a storage area within the plant. SGV Manager software controls the SGVs and communicates with the Arla host system.
To start the process, the Arla host computer issues a movement request to the SGV Manager, which dispatches a SGV to perform the task. The vehicle travels to the designated pick-up location, performs the pick, and delivers it to the drop-off position. On completion, the SGV reports back to the SGV Manager, which then updates Arla’s host system.
The SGV System supports two robotic filling lines within the facility, bringing empty trays to the conveyor in-feed, and once filled with blocks of cheese delivers them to high bay storage.
The SGVs, which automatically exchange batteries during operation, are equipped with a standard fork attachment that allows them to transport pallets of full and empty trays. They can lift 2m high and can interface with conveyors and racking.
For more details on Arla Foods and the JBT vehicles, click here