Robotiq Automates Palletizing for Martin Ray Winery

Key Takeaways

• 6–10 picks per minute, matching bottling line speed
• Handles 15 kg cases, builds loads up to 96 inches
• Achieved 18‑month ROI, saving ~$100k annually
• Eliminated repetitive lifting, boosting worker morale
• Adapted to floor‑stacking, no major facility changes

Summary

Martin Ray Winery in California has installed Robotiq’s PE20 robotic palletizer, paired with a UR20 collaborative robot and PowerPick 30 vacuum gripper, to automate its end‑of‑line case stacking. The system handles 15 kg wine cases at 6–10 picks per minute, building loads up to 96 inches high while fitting into the existing bottling line layout. By replacing two manual operators, the winery cut annual palletizing labor costs of roughly $100,000 and achieved an 18‑month return on investment. The robot also eliminated repetitive heavy lifting, improving worker morale and allowing staff to focus on higher‑value tasks.

Pulse Analysis

The wine industry is confronting a perfect storm of rising labor costs, a shrinking pool of manual workers, and heightened safety expectations. Robotiq’s deployment at Martin Ray Winery illustrates how collaborative robots can be retrofitted into legacy bottling lines without extensive re‑engineering. By leveraging a lightweight UR20 arm and a vacuum‑based PowerPick 30 gripper, the system accommodates the winery’s unconventional floor‑stacking method, proving that robotic palletizing is not limited to traditional pallet‑based workflows.

Beyond ergonomics, the financial case for automation is compelling. Martin Ray’s $100,000 annual labor expense on manual palletizing was eliminated, delivering a full payback in just 18 months. This rapid ROI is increasingly common as robot prices decline and software tools simplify changeovers for different case sizes. For producers scaling output to meet demand spikes, the ability to maintain 6–10 picks per minute ensures that throughput remains aligned with bottling speeds, safeguarding revenue streams.

The successful integration also highlights a broader trend: wineries are turning to flexible, collaborative automation to preserve artisanal branding while modernizing operations. As more producers adopt similar solutions, supply‑chain resilience improves, and workers transition to roles that add value, such as quality control and inventory management. The Martin Ray case serves as a benchmark for mid‑size beverage manufacturers evaluating the balance between tradition and technology, underscoring that smart automation can enhance productivity without compromising the craft.