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SEK Seeds began producing 300 kilograms per hour through physical exertion. Today he is in 7,000 kilograms per hour and without anyone having to carry a sack.
It is a Chilean family-owned business, and according to the company itself, the first in Chile's seed industry to automate all of its processes.
Project Overview
| Client | SEK Seeds |
|---|---|
| Sector | Seed Production and Packaging |
| Country | Chile |
| Cell installed | Bag palletizer |
| Startup | 2022 |
The Starting Point
Semillas SEK’s early years were marked by a great deal of physical effort and limited capacity: 300 kilos per hour, all handled by people. Growing under that model meant hiring more people to do the same grueling work and accepting a limit on customer service.
Results
- From 300 kg/hour a 7,000 kg/hour: the capacity increased by a factor of 23
- Zero physical exertion at the palletizing station
- Higher volume and faster service for domestic and export customers
- The first seed company in Chile to automate all of its processes
What the customer said
I have to admit that the first time the robot worked, I almost shed a tear when I saw how we were going to replace the physical labor of our employees with automation. SEK Seeds
The argument they repeat most often isn't productivity, but rather the kind of company they wanted to be: "It's part of our DNA to be an efficient company that's very employee-friendly, and automation has made the work lighter, more efficient, and less physically demanding."
The Full Interview
Transcript of the interview
SEK Seeds (Chile). Transcript slightly edited for readability.
I have to admit that the first time I saw the robot in action, I almost shed a tear. I was really moved to see how we were going to replace the physical labor of our employees with automation.
When we first started, we produced 300 kilos per hour, which required a great deal of physical effort. Today, thanks to this investment, we’re producing 7,000 kilos per hour with no physical effort, and that has allowed us to provide the best possible service to our customers, both domestic and international.
It was part of our DNA: to be an efficient company that was very employee-friendly. Automation allowed us to make the work lighter, more efficient, and less physically demanding. It enables us to process larger volumes more quickly to serve our customers.
It has been a major innovation for our company. We are the first seed company in Chile to automate all of its processes, and as a family-owned business, we are proud of that.
If your facility is at its physical capacity, we'll explain during a call what capacity you could achieve and what investment would be required.