What we saw at EATS: Compact automation, big reactions

EATS (formerly Process Expo) brought together the best of Food and Beverage manufacturing innovation in Chicago. This year, Robotiq’s PAL Ready stole the spotlight.

At booth 1715, manufacturers discovered what it means to install a palletizing cell that runs on day one. PAL Ready arrived pre-assembled and production-ready, showing attendees that automation doesn’t have to be complex, costly, or slow to start.

PAL Ready’s compact design surprised everyone

One of the most common questions at the show?
“Will it fit on my floor?”

PAL Ready answered that question immediately.
With a footprint the size of half a pallet, it’s one of the most space-efficient palletizing solutions available today.

Visitors loved seeing how easily it can:

Move between lines when production changes
Clear space for cleaning or maintenance
Operate safely alongside existing staff and equipment

For facilities with tight layouts or frequent washdowns, this level of flexibility makes automation practical, not just possible.

Safety was a top priority at EATS

Ergonomics and worker safety dominated conversations this year.
Manual palletizing still causes fatigue, repetitive strain, and injury risks for operators. PAL Ready showed how collaborative robots (cobots) can eliminate those risks while maintaining reliable throughput.

A great example came from Rain Pure Mountain Spring Water, a manufacturer that implemented Robotiq palletizing to reduce strain on workers and reassign them to higher-value tasks within the same facility.

Safety, productivity, and employee satisfaction—achieved in one step.

Key conversations from the show floor

Across the booths and sessions, a few consistent themes emerged among manufacturers:

Labor shortages are increasing the demand for cobot palletizing.
Companies want automation that can start fast and scale easily. PAL Ready can be up and running on day 1.
ROI expectations are shorter than ever.
PAL Ready’s plug-and-play setup delivers measurable payback in 1-2 years.
Practical innovation wins over complexity.
Manufacturers want automation that fits their existing processes.

PAL Ready’s mix of simplicity, speed, and adaptability fit perfectly with this new mindset.

A local highlight: the Chicago Bears giveaway 🏈

Of course, no Chicago event is complete without local pride.
Our own Mike Welch, a lifelong Bears fan, helped draw a crowd with our Chicago Bears jersey giveaway—and plenty of friendly competition among attendees.

What EATS showed us

The message was clear: manufacturers are ready for automation that’s
✅ Compact and flexible
✅ Safe for operators
✅ Fast to deploy
✅ Delivers quick ROI

PAL Ready proves that the next wave of automation doesn’t require more space or more complexity—just smarter design.