The Challenge: A Repetitive Task That Never Went Away
In any busy production facility, there are tasks that happen dozens of times a day, every day, without fail. For Mannok Packaging, one of those tasks was transporting plastic rolls from their production floor to the warehouse.
It wasn’t complex work. But it was constant and it was taking up time from staff who could be doing something more valuable elsewhere.
The question wasn’t whether it needed to be done. It was whether a person needed to be the one doing it.
Taking the First Step Into Automation
For many businesses in Ireland and Northern Ireland, automation feels like a big leap. Large infrastructure changes, complex installation, significant disruption to the team; these are the concerns that keep businesses sitting on the fence.
Mannok Packaging had the same concerns going in.
We sat down with Mark, their General Manager, to understand what pushed them to make the move, and what the process actually looked like from the inside.
The answer was straightforward: one machine, one route, one problem to solve. That was the brief and that’s exactly what was delivered.
The Solution: EP XP15 Autonomous Pallet Truck
The EP XP15 is an autonomous pallet truck that runs a pre-programmed fixed route through a facility, moving loads from A to B without any operator input.
At Mannok Packaging, the XP15 now transports plastic rolls from the production area directly into the warehouse — repeatedly, consistently, and without anyone touching it.
Key features that made it the right fit:
Fixed route navigation — simple to set up, no complex infrastructure required. The machine learns its route and runs it.
Runs continuously — no breaks, no shift changes, no downtime. The XP15 runs for as long as it’s needed.
Safe in a live environment — built-in sensors detect obstacles and people, stopping automatically when needed. Staff work alongside it without issue.
Compact footprint — fits into existing facility layouts without major modifications.
What Changed on the Floor
The most immediate impact wasn’t just the machine doing the job; it was what that freed up.
Staff who were previously tied to that transport task are now available for work that genuinely needs a person behind it. Higher value tasks, more skilled work, better use of people who know the facility inside out.
Mark put it simply: the team adapted quickly, the process was straightforward, and the machine just gets on with it.
Why Starting Simple Is the Right Move
One of the most common misconceptions about warehouse automation is that you need to automate everything at once to make it worth it. Mannok Packaging proves otherwise.
One machine. One route. One repetitive task removed from the team’s workload.
That’s a meaningful improvement to daily operations without overhauling the entire facility. And once that first step is in place, adding more becomes a much easier conversation.
See It Running for Yourself
Clearlift Material Handling is the only company in Ireland with a live automation demo centre based in Navan, Co. Meath.
If you have a repetitive transport task in your facility and want to see exactly what autonomous handling looks like in a real working environment, come in and see it for yourself. No obligation, no hard sell; just the machine running so you can make an informed decision.
Book a demo visit at our Navan centre →
Or get in touch directly:
📞 Ireland: 01 5267 411
📞 Northern Ireland: 028 3833 7038
📧 sales@clearlift.ie
