Scaling food production through staged packaging automation

P&B Foods has added a second high-speed sauce packaging line supplied by Autopack, with stated capacity of up to 200 bottles per minute, according to a supplier announcement published on 28 October 2026.

The turnkey installation combines bottle unscrambling, rotary net-weight filling, capping and wraparound labelling.

It builds on a relationship that began in 2023 and has included upgrades to the manufacturer’s sauce and edible-oil operations.

Investing around changing production needs

The announcement describes a series of investments made as P&B Foods’ production requirements developed, with equipment selected to address capacity and operational needs.

The quoted speed represents the line’s stated capability. Actual production performance will depend on the products, packaging formats and operating conditions involved.

For other food manufacturers, the project offers a useful example of how an automation programme can develop through successive investments.

Start with a clear production brief

Our view is that a strong packaging automation brief should explain both the current process and the outcome the manufacturer needs.

Useful information to share with potential suppliers includes:

• Product characteristics and the range of recipes being handled.

• Container sizes, materials and closure types.

• Current output and required production capacity.

• Changeover, cleaning and hygiene requirements.

• Available factory space and connections to existing equipment.

• Labelling, inspection and traceability needs.

This gives equipment suppliers and integrators a clearer basis for assessing suitable machinery and defining the complete scope of a project.

Read the case study

Read the announcement about Autopack’s installation for P&B Foods.

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