Smarter automation in practice. Read how a newly built processing line helped reduce labour reliance and improve operational efficiency.
Across the post-harvest industry, labour availability has become one of the most pressing operational challenges. For many processors, the question is no longer if automation is needed, but how to introduce it in a way that delivers real, measurable value.
This customer story highlights how Patatas Meléndez, one of Spain’s leading potato processors, addressed labour constraints and operational variability by introducing smarter, more automated processing solutions.
Like many large-scale processors, Patatas Meléndez operates in a high-throughput environment where consistency, timing, and product quality are critical. However, increasing difficulty in sourcing and retaining labour began to put pressure on daily operations.
Manual handling tasks were labour-intensive, repetitive, and increasingly difficult to staff reliably. Variations in staffing levels also introduced inconsistencies in throughput and line performance, making production planning more complex.
The challenge was clear: how to reduce reliance on manual labour while maintaining and ideally improving efficiency and product quality.
Rather than viewing automation as a replacement for people, the focus was on using technology to support the operation where labour constraints were most limiting performance.
Automation offered several clear advantages:
The goal was not maximum automation for its own sake, but targeted automation that delivered stability, scalability, and long-term resilience.
By introducing a fully automated processing solution as part of a newly built line, Patatas Meléndez was able to streamline key stages of the operation from the ground up.
Automation helped:
Importantly, the technology was implemented with a focus on simplicity, reliability, and ease of operation, ensuring that the system supported operators rather than adding complexity.
The results went beyond labour reduction alone. Automation delivered tangible, day-to-day benefits that improved the overall operation:
By reducing manual touchpoints and improving process consistency, the operation became easier to manage and more resilient to ongoing labour challenges.
This customer story highlights an important reality: successful automation doesn’t need to be complex or disruptive. When introduced thoughtfully, it becomes a practical tool to support people, improve reliability, and future-proof operations.
For Patatas Meléndez, automation was not a single upgrade, but a strategic step toward smarter, more sustainable processing.
To see how automation was implemented in practice and explore the full customer story, read the complete Patatas Meléndez case study on our website. Discover how smarter processing helped reduce labour reliance and create more predictable, efficient operations.
https://wymasolutions.com/case-study/patatas-melendez