Published: February 10, 2026
Five Questions with Dennis Gallagher
Dennis Gallagher
Group President, Frontmatec
How do you want prospective customers to approach the process of adding automation to their facilities?
Every facility update or upgrade – including automation – should begin with a definition of the business-related problems it is intended to solve, and a clear sense of how the improvements complement the current workforce. Automation can improve worker safety, increase production capacity, improve yields and quality, and help mitigate labor shortages. Companies need to decide what they want to address and improve and then plan workforce training and process workflow change management accordingly.
First-time automation adopters can replicate some of the successes I’ve seen based on implementing a pilot program in a focused, high-impact aspect of production. The success of this first phase, and the lessons learned along the way, can scale across other parts of the facility, especially in working with an automation partner that solves business-related problems through a collaborative approach.
Investment in automation can be transformative. Ideally, companies select an automation partner with deep process knowledge and scalable technology, as well as strong capabilities in service and support.
What is the most common misconception you’d like to dispel about automation in the food processing industry?
One of the fears I often hear expressed is the idea that the main reason to implement automation is to eliminate labor. The reality is quite the contrary. Automation frees workers from physically demanding, repetitive and hazardous jobs. It creates roles for technicians, data analysts and process optimization specialists, jobs with rewards beyond the traditional production line. Automation enables food processors to reduce process variances and increase throughput while it improves worker and food safety, product quality and yield. These enhancements provide essential drivers of ROI for the investment in automation.
How do you view the role of software and AI in enhancing industry production and efficiency?
The two types of systems “feed” each other. Automation software and AI platforms can shift production systems from reactive approaches to continuously improving adaptability. As automation software continues to collect production data, improve standardized workflows and reduce process variability, AI platforms can uncover insights in the data that help optimize decision making. These insights enable producers to improve resource use, increase system uptime, improve product quality, and boost yield and efficiency.
What’s the most important aspect of production analytics in the food processing industry?
It is essential to monitor hazard analysis critical control points (HACCP) and make them traceable across entire production processes. This enables processors to ensure food quality and safety. Additionally, producers need to learn how best to utilize their use of the data they gather so they can optimize production scheduling and workflow to improve margins.
What do you see as the next big development in food processing automation?
In the near term, I see two big developments coming.
- Improved worker safety through accelerated adoption of robotic systems with advanced vision technologies. These technologies can remove workplace hazards and repetitive physical demands to yield better workplace opportunities. Sensor technology continues to advance into areas that require a “sense of feel.” These new robotics-based applications will continue to drive improvements in yields and quality.
- Adaptive system control that enables automation equipment across an entire production line to adjust and optimize for maximum yield, quality and efficiency throughout changing conditions. These breakthroughs will rely on continued advancements in automation software and AI platform capabilities.
