Back to case studies

Automated Palletizing Cuts Manual Labor and Boosts Retention at Myllyn Paras 

Case-study
1/24/2022
Grain products on pallets after robotic palletizing-crop
reorder–reorder-arrow-move-arrange
Industry

Food & Commodities

update
Application

Palletizing

traffic
Robot Solution

OMRON TM12 Cobot

Transforming a manual bottleneck into a safer, automated workflow

For decades, Myllyn Paras operated Finland’s oldest mill, processing 75,000 tonnes of grain annually. Despite its modern output, one critical process lagged behind: palletizing. The task—lifting and stacking heavy packs of oatmeal and other products—was entirely manual, placing intense physical demands on workers and leading to high turnover at the station. When Myllyn Paras sought a solution, Dimalog Oy evaluated the site’s unique constraints. After reviewing available floorspace and the variety of products requiring palletization, Dimalog recommended the OMRON TM12 collaborative robot, engineered for high payloads and extended reach.

The implementation of the robotic palletizing system required a custom-designed gripper, tailored and tested by Dimalog, to handle varying product sizes. Integrated safety features—including perimeter fencing and an OMRON safety laser scanner—ensured that the system would halt instantly if a person entered the working zone. The TM12’s built-in vision system enabled accurate object recognition, even under challenging lighting conditions, allowing the robot to adapt to different batch weights and packaging formats.

Since deploying the robotic palletizing system, Myllyn Paras has eliminated the most strenuous manual tasks from its palletizing line. Employees report a significantly improved work environment, with reduced physical strain and a more pleasant daily routine. The automation has stabilized throughput, minimized workplace injuries, and allowed staff to focus on higher-value responsibilities.

Watch Myllyn Paras’ story:

Download in: Italian | Spanish | French | Polish

“Working with OMRON has been delight for Dimalog Oy. In the future, we plan to develop similar, easily accessible palletising cell solutions that will bring new benefits to both of our companies.” — Aki Hänninen, Dimalog Oy’s Project Manager 

  • Robotic palletizing system stacking grain sacks at Myllyn Paras
  • Customer satisfaction builds lasting partnerships.
  • End-of-line palletizing system with robotics
  • Collaborative robot working in a palletizing system
  • Grain products on pallets after robotic palletizing
  • Automated palletizing process with TM12 collaborative robot
  • Robotic palletizing system in food manufacturing facility

Results at a glance:

  • Manual palletizing replaced with automated, collaborative robots
  • Ergonomic risks and employee turnover at the palletizing station reduced
  • Flexible solution adapts to a wide range of batch sizes and packaging types
  • Enhanced safety with integrated vision and laser scanner technology

Practical automation for food manufacturing

OMRON’s experience in robotic palletizing helps manufacturers like Myllyn Paras remove bottlenecks and improve working conditions in complex, high-throughput environments. By combining flexible automation with careful integration, we support teams in reaching their operational goals while maintaining a safe and positive workplace.

If you’d like to learn more about how a robotic palletizing system could help with similar challenges in your own operations, let’s connect and start a conversation.