Trends, surprises, and PAL Ready in action

PACK EXPO is always one of the biggest events on the calendar for packaging and automation. This year in Las Vegas was no exception. The halls were buzzing with manufacturers, solution providers, and innovators all coming together to share ideas and see the future of packaging technology in action.

Here’s a look at some of the themes and trends we noticed — and where Robotiq fit in.

1. Speed and flexibility are top of mind

Manufacturers are under pressure to do more with less. Labor shortages, changing customer demands, and rising costs mean that speed and adaptability are no longer nice-to-haves — they’re non-negotiable.

We saw a big focus on solutions that could be deployed quickly and reconfigured without extensive engineering. From modular conveyors to mobile palletizers, the industry is moving toward flexibility as the default.

2. Simplicity beats complexity

The booths that drew the biggest crowds weren’t showing off flashy, complicated systems. Instead, they highlighted how simple automation can be when it’s designed with the operator in mind.

At the Robotiq booth, PAL Ready captured this idea perfectly. Attendees were surprised that the system arrives fully assembled, tested, and running on day one. And features like Smart Infeed and anchorless mobility showed just how easy it is to keep production moving, without specialized skills or downtime.

3. Safety and ergonomics are front and center

It’s clear that health and safety are taking priority on the factory floor. We saw strong interest in collaborative robotics, safety scanners, and ergonomic design — all aimed at reducing strain on workers and keeping operations compliant without sacrificing performance.

PAL Ready’s built-in safety package resonated strongly with visitors. The idea of keeping cells open, without bulky fences, while maintaining compliance struck the right balance between productivity and operator well-being.

4. Scaling without starting over

Another trend we heard over and over: manufacturers want scalability without the pain of redesign. Whether it’s adding a second line, replicating a successful cell across sites, or planning for growth, the ability to build on a proven foundation is becoming a key buying criterion.

That’s exactly why PAL Ready and PAL Series work together within the Lean Palletizing Experience. Attendees loved that they could start fast with PAL Ready. Others were excited about the ability to scale operations with PAL Series modules — all while using the same software, operator experience, and design logic.

Final thoughts

PACK EXPO 2025 confirmed what we’ve been hearing from manufacturers worldwide: they want automation that is faster to deploy, easier to use, safer for their teams, and ready to scale.

We were proud to showcase how the Lean Palletizing Experience delivers on those needs with PAL Ready and PAL Series. The conversations at our booth were proof that the industry is ready for a simpler, smarter path to end-of-line automation.

You can still explore PAL Ready and PAL Series online — and even run your own application through the Palletizing Fit Tool to see what’s right for your factory.

Missed the show?

You can still explore PAL Ready and PAL Series online. Your next step is simple:
Use the Palletizing Fit Tool to validate your application, generate a custom simulation, and get a detailed ROI report — all in just a few clicks.