Robotic packaging solutions company JLS Automation will debut the Kestrel, a high-speed hygienic robotic collate and load system, at the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta, Jan. 27–29, 2026.

The Kestrel reportedly combines precision, speed, and versatility in a compact footprint. It is specifically engineered to handle uniform, cylindrical food products such as meat snack sticks and straight sausages.

At the heart of the system is high-speed centrifugal technology that aims to singulate products from bulk infeed with accuracy. This is a process that is traditionally complex, using conveyor belts with rails or lane dividers that guide products into rows, JLS says. 

According to the company, the process also:

• Often results in tumbling or bottlenecks, requiring manual intervention.
• Since products often need to be gently guided into position on these traditional systems, throughput is typically lower.
• The friction and mechanical contact can also damage delicate product surfaces. 

To overcome these challenges, the Kestrel feeds products onto a custom collation conveyor that aims to precisely align them for robotic gang-picking, consolidating processes, and reducing wear parts. A hygienic delta kinematics robot then picks and loads collated products directly into thermoformer pockets or other primary packaging formats. With the Kestrel, the company notes, protein manufacturers can achieve higher yield, reduced dependency on manual labor, and gain consistent presentation without compromising product integrity.

"The Kestrel represents a transformative solution for protein processors facing unprecedented labor challenges and the need for increased efficiency," says Waheed Chaudhry, director of primary packaging, at JLS Automation. "By automating the traditionally complex bulk-to-packaging process with hygienic design principles, we're enabling our customers to scale production while maintaining the highest food safety standards. This system sets a new benchmark for what's possible in high-speed collate and load technology." 

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