Chivas Brothers boosts bottling efficiency with Automatica and Lita Metro bottle de-palletiser

The challenge

Chivas Brothers, the Scotch whisky and gin company of Pernod Ricard, set out to strengthen its position in the fast-growing premium spirit's market. To meet global demand, the company needed to increase production efficiency at its Kilmalid bottling facility in Dumbarton, near Glasgow.

The project required a high-speed de-palletising solution capable of handling up to 250 bottles per minute, including tapered glass bottles for premium whisky and gin. The system also had to integrate smoothly with existing bottling lines, operate within a restricted footprint, and be installed quickly with minimal disruption to production.‍

The Automatica solution

Automatica, the UK agent for Lita Srl. of Turin, Italy, recommended and installed the Lita Metro automatic bottle de-palletiser. This system was chosen for its speed, reliability, and ability to handle premium glass formats.

Operators load pallets of bottles by forklift and enter the pallet details into the HMI. The system then automatically conveys the pallet into the de-palletiser. A pneumatic robotic arm removes layer trays for recycling, while bottle layers are swept onto the discharge table at up to 250 bottles per minute. Empty pallets are stacked automatically for removal, while bottles are rotated and transferred in single file to the bottling conveyors.

To ensure rapid installation, Automatica carried out extensive commissioning and trials at Lita’s Turin facility before delivery. Pallets of Chivas glass bottles were shipped to Italy for testing, reducing installation and commissioning time in Scotland. This proactive approach allowed the system to be operational within a very short window.‍

The results

The installation of the Lita Metro automatic bottle de-palletiser delivered measurable improvements at the Kilmalid facility:

• Increased production efficiency and throughput
• Reduced manual handling of heavy glass bottles and trays
• Reliable operation at speeds of up to 250 bottles per minute
• Improved consistency and flow across bottling lines
• Minimal disruption to production during installation

By working with Automatica, Chivas Brothers has enhanced bottling performance and strengthened its capacity to meet growing global demand. This project highlights how advanced de-palletising systems can improve safety, efficiency, and output for premium beverage producers.