Tekpak Automation will use interpack 2026 to showcase a live working demonstration of its TD3/R Series pick-and-place robotic cell, as the company targets manufacturers looking to automate packaging operations in food, beverage and pharmaceutical production.
The demonstration, scheduled for Stand A15 in Hall 16, will centre on a compact three-axis robotic system designed for product loading and stacking into trays, cases, cartons, thermoformers and flow-wrapper infeeds. Tekpak is positioning the machine as a flexible option for manufacturers facing line efficiency pressures while working within limited factory footprints.
The company said the system has been developed to integrate with existing production lines and support faster format changes, with features including a quick-change gripper, tool-less changeovers and vision-based position tracking. Tekpak also highlighted robot positional accuracy of plus or minus 0.1mm, along with gentle product handling and operator-facing touchscreen controls.
The interpack presentation reflects a wider push by packaging equipment suppliers to frame robotics not only as a route to higher throughput, but also as a response to persistent labour shortages, floor space constraints and cost pressure on production sites. In that context, Tekpak is using the Düsseldorf exhibition to underline the modularity of its automation offer and its ability to retrofit systems into established packaging environments.
Tekpak said its systems draw on more than 25 years of experience supporting pharmaceutical and food manufacturers, with a portfolio spanning applications from cartoning and case packing to complete packaging lines. Turnkey integration is also available where required, giving the company scope to pitch both standalone automation cells and broader line development projects.
Frankie Rose, Technical Sales Manager at Tekpak, said manufacturers were being forced to reconsider the performance of their packaging operations under mounting cost pressure. “Rising energy costs, labour shortages and increasing operational pressure are putting significant strain on manufacturers’ margins, and many are being forced to rethink how their lines perform,” Rose said.
He added that automation projects are increasingly being evaluated not only for labour reduction, but also for their contribution to cost control and line effectiveness. “Our accurate, reliable and modular automation solutions are helping customers reduce operating costs while improving OEE. We’re looking forward to demonstrating how our pick-and-place technology delivers this in practice at interpack,” Rose said.
For interpack visitors, the live cell demonstration gives Tekpak an opportunity to show how robotic handling can be applied in real production scenarios rather than as a purely conceptual automation pitch. That is particularly relevant in sectors such as food and pharmaceuticals, where manufacturers often need to balance speed and flexibility with careful product handling, hygienic design considerations and the realities of space-constrained packaging rooms.
The company is also emphasizing the suitability of the TD3/R Series for cleanroom environments, suggesting a cross-sector strategy that spans both food production and regulated pharmaceutical settings. That dual-sector positioning is increasingly common among automation suppliers seeking to transfer proven technologies across adjacent manufacturing industries.
Interpack 2026 will take place in Düsseldorf from 7 to 13 May and is expected to again serve as a major platform for packaging machinery launches and automation demonstrations. For Tekpak, the show offers a chance to translate its modular automation message into a practical on-stand application aimed at processors and packers evaluating where robotics can deliver the clearest operational return.
