Optimizing End-of-Line Operations for a Leading FFP2 Mask Manufacturer
A leading European manufacturer of FFP2 masks operated seven parallel production lines, each responsible for the complete manufacturing and automatic bagging of multi-colored mask variants. At the end of each line, a dedicated operator conducted manual quality inspections and boxed the output. Although the upstream process was automated, the end-of-line phase remained labor-intensive and dependent on 24/7 staffing across three shifts. As production volumes increased and product variation became more dynamic, the manual setup began to constrain output, drive up labor costs, and reduce the company’s ability to scale efficiently. The client faced a critical challenge: how to maintain high quality standards while improving speed, lowering operational overhead, and increasing adaptability. We designed and delivered a centralized automation solution that rerouted the flow of masks from all production lines via a coordinated conveyor belt system into a single end-of-line unit. There, high-definition cameras powered by artificial intelligence performed real-time quality control and color verification. Conforming units were boxed by robotic arms and automatically palletized for distribution. This intervention enabled the client to reduce five operators per shift, significantly accelerate production throughput, and seamlessly switch between product variants with minimal downtime. The result was a more agile, cost-efficient, and scalable production system, without compromising on quality.