4 ms·
Why isnt this factory completely automated
by sydthrowaway 5y ago
Why isnt this factory completely automated
- dougmwne 5y agoAfter all the blowback Kellogg got over this strike, that question is certainly being asked. The reality of course is that there are limits to automation, at least currently.
- CamperBob2 5y agoSafe to say they're working on it.
- spamizbad 5y agoBecause it's actually an extremely difficult problem to solve. Also: it will likely require many recipes to change dramatically to be appropriately viscous etc. Changing recipes carries a massive market risk. If I buy a box of Corn Flakes I expect it taste like Corn Flakes; not something adjusted to meet an automated process.
- google234123 5y ago> If I buy a box of Corn Flakes I expect it taste like Corn Flakes Machines are much better at producing uniform things than humans. Not sure what "magic" you think that humans can bring to a baking process.
- spamizbad 5y agoYes but changes in the baking process or recipe will impact flavor. So for automation to replace the humans your automation has to be compatible with the existing recipe. If it's not, and requires a recipe adjustment, you're likely going to see a change in flavor that consumers will probably reject. Products developed with automation from day-one do not have that problem, but Kellogg's value is locked into existing products. Automation is not "Do the exact same thing the exact same way a person would do it, but with a machine." You adapt your product to facilitate the manufacturing process. That's how stuff gets automated.
- google234123 5y agoYou do realize that there are already a ton of machines involved in order for Kellogg to produce so much cereal?