Eskort invests in robotics to scale premium sliced meat production
ESKORT, South Africa’s largest pork producer, has commissioned a multimillion-rand robotic production line at its Heidelberg, Gauteng facility, strengthening its premium sliced meats offering while improving operational efficiency and product consistency.
The automated line integrates robotic slicing, check weighing and packaging technologies designed to optimise yield, enhance presentation and extend shelf life, while lowering energy consumption. According to Eskort CEO Arnold Prinsloo, the investment forms part of a broader strategy to modernise production and support growing demand for value-added meat products.
The line begins with a precision slicing and check-weighing system that measures each slice in real time and automatically adjusts cutting speed and thickness. This ensures accurate portion control, maximises raw material utilisation and delivers consistent quality across product batches.
Once sliced, products are assembled into pack quantities and transferred via conveyor to a robotic “pick-and-place” system. Using advanced servo drives and vacuum grippers, the robot positions slices accurately into trays, improving visual appeal while reducing product waste. The fully automated process eliminates direct human handling, supporting stringent food safety and hygiene standards.
The new line produces Eskort’s premium sliced range, including gypsy ham, pork pastrami, sandwich ham, cooked ham and sliced gammon. Designed for gentle product manipulation, the system is particularly suited to delicate sliced meats and has an expected operational lifespan of 10 years.
The robotics investment follows a series of major upgrades at the Heidelberg plant. In February 2024, Eskort launched a 10,000 m² factory extension that increased overall production capacity by 50%. The site also houses Africa’s largest continuous box freezer, capable of freezing 120,000 kg of product to –18°C every 24 hours, alongside chilled and frozen warehouses equipped with multi-level mezzanine picking systems, a first for South Africa’s food industry.
