AI automation boosts efficiency at Polypipe Building Services’ manufacturing site
Polypipe Building Services has enhanced manufacturing efficiency, productivity and sustainability through a major programme of automation investment at its production facility in Aylesford.
The manufacturer now uses fully automated lines across key areas of the site, integrating robotics and AI-driven quality inspection systems as part of a long-term strategy to improve operational performance and address industry-wide skilled labour shortages.
With this new level of automation, Polypipe has been able to meet its growth aspirations without increasing staffing levels and the facility, which operates on a 24-hour, five-day production cycle, has increased output and improved responsiveness to fluctuating demand.
The manufacturer has implemented automated systems using six-axis and Cartesian robots, allowing operators to oversee production processes that deliver finished products with minimal manual intervention. As a result, Polypipe has improved the consistency and quantity of its drainage and water supply products while maintaining existing workforce levels.
Ned Seale, Tooling and Automation Manager at Polypipe Building Services, said: “Automation is helping us respond to growing demand while maintaining quality and supporting our workforce. By integrating robotics and AI inspection technologies, we are improving production consistency, reducing waste and allowing teams to focus on more technical, value-adding activities.”
