Automate Now

Formic
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American manufacturing is at an inflection point. Labor shortages are accelerating, global competition is intensifying, and the pressure to produce more with less has never been greater. The answer — for manufacturers of every size — is automation. But knowing you need to automate and knowing how to do it are two very different things. Automate Now is the practical playbook for CPG manufacturers ready to take action. Written by the Formic team — the people who have helped hundreds of U.S. factories automate for the first time — this audiobook cuts through the complexity and gives you a clear, honest roadmap: where to start, how to build internal buy-in, how to choose the right partner, and how to scale from your first win into a future-proof operation.

  1. May 21 ·  Bonus

    Additional Resources: Glossary, Further Reading & Meet the Authors

    This bonus episode closes out Automate Now with three things every manufacturer starting their automation journey should have on hand. First, a plain-language glossary of the key terms you'll encounter as you evaluate systems, talk to providers, and build your internal case for automation — from AI and cobots to TCO, OEE, and Robots-as-a-Service. No jargon, no assumptions, just clear definitions you can actually use. Then the Formic team shares three book recommendations for manufacturers who want to go deeper: Lean Robotics by Samuel Bouchard for a practical framework on deploying robots in real factory environments, The Goal by Eliyahu M. Goldratt for understanding production constraints and throughput, and Manufacturing by AI by Sayeed Siddiqui for a roadmap to smart factory integration. The episode closes with brief bios of the five Formic team members who wrote this book — Saman Farid, Danijel Lolic, Molly Garrison, Brooklyn Kiosow, and Shawn Fitzgerald — each bringing decades of hands-on manufacturing, operations, and technology experience to every page. If Automate Now sparked something for you, this is where you find out who's behind it and how to reach them. Key Takeaways: A working vocabulary of automation terms — AI, cobots, Full Service Automation, TCO, OEE, light curtains, machine vision, and more — makes every conversation with a provider or integrator more productiveLean Robotics, The Goal, and Manufacturing by AI are the Formic team's recommended reads for manufacturers who want to build on what they've learned hereAutomate Now was written by practitioners — people who have walked production floors, solved real operational problems, and built automation solutions for hundreds of U.S. manufacturersFormic was founded with a single mission: make automation easy and accessible for American manufacturers, regardless of budget, technical expertise, or company sizeThe conversation doesn't end with this book — Formic is reachable at hi@formic.co or (855) 394-5464Automate Now is written by the Formic team — Saman Farid, Danijel Lolic, Molly Garrison, Brooklyn Kiosow, and Shawn Fitzgerald — and edited by Brooklyn Kiosow. Formic helps U.S. manufacturers automate for the first time through Full Service Automation: no large upfront investment, no in-house robotics expertise required. If this episode made you think about where automation could work in your facility, start the conversation at formic.co. 0:00 Intro — Glossary of Terms 0:20 AI, AR & Automation Defined 1:07 AMSP, CapEx & Cobots 1:44 Digital Transformation to SI 2:28 Light Curtain to Machine Vision 3:07 Manufacturing Intel to Uptime 4:00 Further Reading & Resources 4:24 About the Authors 6:31 Contact Formic

    9 min

  2. May 21

    Chapter 16: What Now? Moving from Reading to Action

    You've made it to the end of the book — and if you've been paying attention, you've already started spotting opportunities in your own facility. This final episode is about converting everything you've learned into action. Not next quarter. Not when things slow down. Now. The Formic team closes out Automate Now with a practical readiness checklist, a reminder that you don't need all the answers before you begin, and a final call to step forward with confidence. The checklist covers the seven questions every manufacturer should be able to answer before they call an integrator or Full Service provider: Do you have clear goals? Have you mapped your current process? Is leadership aligned? Have you talked with your team? Do you have space? Are you prepared for change? And do you have a partner — or a plan — for support? These aren't pass-or-fail questions. They're the starting point for a real conversation. The episode closes with the same message that runs through every chapter of this book: automation is no longer a future consideration. It's the foundation of a competitive, resilient, growing manufacturing operation — and the hardest step is simply the first one. Key Takeaways: You don't need the perfect robot, the perfect process, or the perfect roadmap before you start — you need to take the first step and let momentum build from thereClear goals matter more than perfect plans — know your "why" before you evaluate any system or partnerMapping your current process doesn't require an engineering diagram — it just requires honest visibility into where things slow down, pile up, or create strainLeadership alignment, employee involvement, and adequate floor space are the three most common readiness gaps that slow down first-time deploymentsThe right automation partner will help you scope, install, and maintain your system — and will stand behind it long after go-liveAutomation is not a one-and-done project — it's a tool you build on, refine, and expand as your business grows; the most important thing is having a thoughtful plan and getting startedAutomate Now is written by the Formic team — Saman Farid, Danijel Lolic, Molly Garrison, Brooklyn Kiosow, and Shawn Fitzgerald — and edited by Brooklyn Kiosow. Formic helps U.S. manufacturers automate for the first time through Full Service Automation: no large upfront investment, no in-house robotics expertise required. If this episode made you think about where automation could work in your facility, start the conversation at formic.co. 0:00 Intro — It's Time to Act 1:03 Checklist: Clear Goals 1:36 Checklist: Map Your Process 2:04 Checklist: Leadership Alignment 2:31 Checklist: Talk With Your Team 3:00 Checklist: Space for Automation 3:28 Checklist: Prepared for Change 3:55 Checklist: Partner or Plan 4:28 Final Thoughts 5:47 Key Takeaways

    6 min

  3. May 21

    Chapter 15: How Automation Future-Proofs Your Operations

    Automation isn't just about solving today's problems — it's about making sure your business is still standing, still growing, and still competitive five and ten years from now. In this episode, the Formic team explores five ways automation future-proofs manufacturing operations, anchored by a simple but powerful idea from Jason Glade, President and CEO of Taffy Town: let equipment do the hard stuff, and let employees do the thinking. The episode covers how automation strengthens company perception with customers, investors, and partners who want to work with forward-thinking businesses; how it builds a resilient workforce that can absorb market fluctuations, labor shortages, and supply chain disruptions without breaking down; how it improves job satisfaction and retention by removing physically punishing work from people's daily lives; how it drives consistent quality and fewer costly errors for demanding retail partners like Walmart and Target; and how higher production capacity at all three shifts creates economies of scale that lower per-unit costs over time. The COVID-19 pandemic made clear what happens when manufacturers wait for the right moment to prepare for disruption. That moment never comes. The companies that thrive are the ones who started building resilience before they needed it. Key Takeaways: Automation signals to customers, investors, and partners that your business is built for the future — not just reacting to the presentAutomated systems absorb market volatility, labor shortages, and supply chain disruptions in ways that purely human workforces simply cannotRemoving repetitive, physically demanding work from employees' daily routines directly improves morale, reduces injury incidents, and increases long-term retentionRobots don't have off days — consistent precision across all three shifts means fewer chargebacks, fewer rejected shipments, and stronger supplier quality scores with major retailersRunning at full capacity across first, second, and third shift creates economies of scale that lower per-unit costs — a structural competitive advantage over manufacturers still relying on manual processesThe companies that future-proof their operations don't wait for disruption to force their hand — they take steps toward resilience before they need itAutomate Now is written by the Formic team — Saman Farid, Danijel Lolic, Molly Garrison, Brooklyn Kiosow, and Shawn Fitzgerald — and edited by Brooklyn Kiosow. Formic helps U.S. manufacturers automate for the first time through Full Service Automation: no large upfront investment, no in-house robotics expertise required. If this episode made you think about where automation could work in your facility, start the conversation at formic.co. 0:00 Intro 0:44 #1 — Boosting Company Perception 1:32 #2 — Building a Resilient Workforce 2:15 #3 — Improving Job Satisfaction 3:04 #4 — Consistent Quality 4:03 #5 — Lower Cost Per Unit 4:47 The Long Game of Automation 5:47 Key Takeaways

    6 min

  4. May 21

    Chapter 14: When Automation Doesn't Go as Planned

    No automation deployment goes perfectly. Even with careful planning, experienced partners, and a prepared team, things will occasionally not work the way you expected. In this episode, the Formic team talks honestly about what happens when automation misfires — and more importantly, how the manufacturers who succeed respond when it does. The difference between an automation success story and a robot graveyard isn't whether problems occurred. It's how they were handled. The episode walks through the most common causes of early-stage automation hiccups: operator errors during the learning curve (unplugged cables, wrong recipes loaded, boxes moved mid-process), workflow friction between humans and machines that weren't fully anticipated, and the natural adjustment period any team goes through when something new is introduced. The key steps for recovery are clear — resist assumptions, map where the breakdown is actually occurring, involve your operations team, stay patient with employees, and lean on your automation partner to diagnose and resolve issues quickly. Rarely is the fix a wholesale reset. More often, it's a small, smart adjustment that restores momentum and builds knowledge for the next phase. Key Takeaways: Problems in early automation deployments are normal — what matters most is how quickly and calmly you respond when they happenThe most common culprits aren't equipment failures — they're human learning curve issues: wrong recipes, moved boxes, unfamiliar interfaces, and operator habits carried over from manual processesResist the urge to blame the technology first — map the breakdown systematically to determine whether it's a technical limitation, a workflow gap, or a training issueYour frontline team often spots friction points first and has practical ideas for fixing them — involve them in troubleshooting, not just in operationA strong automation partner shoulders the diagnostic and remediation work — if they're not doing that, you have a partner problem, not a technology problemImperfect automation beats perfect inaction — every hiccup is a learning opportunity that makes the next deployment faster, smoother, and more successfulAutomate Now is written by the Formic team — Saman Farid, Danijel Lolic, Molly Garrison, Brooklyn Kiosow, and Shawn Fitzgerald — and edited by Brooklyn Kiosow. Formic helps U.S. manufacturers automate for the first time through Full Service Automation: no large upfront investment, no in-house robotics expertise required. If this episode made you think about where automation could work in your facility, start the conversation at formic.co. 0:00 Intro — Hiccups Are Normal 0:52 Don't Make Assumptions 2:12 If You're Not Going It Alone 3:15 Embrace the Learning Curve 3:55 Key Takeaways

    5 min

  5. May 21

    Chapter 13: Case Studies from CPG Companies That Got It Right

    Knowing you need to automate and actually doing it are two very different things. In this episode, the Formic team shares four real stories from CPG manufacturers who took the leap — and what happened when they did. These aren't case studies from companies with unlimited budgets or dedicated robotics teams. They're family-owned businesses, century-old brands, and growing operations that didn't know exactly how to get started either — until they did. Mi Rancho, a California tortilla and chip maker, deployed six end-of-line palletizing stations to close labor gaps across three shifts — and has since expanded to nine systems. Land O'Frost, a family-owned Illinois lunchmeat manufacturer, built a long-term automation strategy by starting with repetitive packing and stacking tasks that were impossible to staff, then scaling incrementally across facilities. Rumiano Cheese, the oldest family-owned cheese company in California, found a way to automate while staying true to its values — supporting its community, protecting its workers, and maintaining the organic quality standards its customers depend on. And Uncle Crumbles, a granola company that had a failed automation attempt years earlier, came back to it with a better partner and proved that a bad first experience doesn't have to be the last word. Key Takeaways: Mi Rancho went from six palletizing stations to nine — eliminating manual stacking injuries, closing labor gaps across three shifts, and freeing employees for higher-value rolesLand O'Frost's approach — starting with low-hanging fruit and building a long-term scaling blueprint — is a model for any manufacturer that wants to automate without disrupting culture or operationsRumiano Cheese proves that automation and tradition aren't in conflict — the right partner makes it possible to increase output while staying true to community and quality commitmentsUncle Crumbles shows that a failed first attempt at automation is not a reason to stop — it's a reason to find a better partner and a better modelThe three most common things manufacturers say before automating: "I don't know how to start," "I want to dip my toe in first," and "I want to test before committing" — Full Service Automation is designed to answer all threeYou don't need a large CapEx budget or an in-house robotics team to succeed with automation — you need the right supportAutomate Now is written by the Formic team — Saman Farid, Danijel Lolic, Molly Garrison, Brooklyn Kiosow, and Shawn Fitzgerald — and edited by Brooklyn Kiosow. Formic helps U.S. manufacturers automate for the first time through Full Service Automation: no large upfront investment, no in-house robotics expertise required. If this episode made you think about where automation could work in your facility, start the conversation at formic.co. 0:00 Intro 0:48 Case Study #1 — Mi Rancho 2:15 Case Study #2 — Land O'Frost 3:44 Case Study #3 — Rumiano Cheese5:00 Case Study #4 — Uncle Crumbles 6:24 Key Takeaways

    11 min

  6. May 21

    Chapter 12: Production Analytics and Continuous Improvement

    Deploying automation is the beginning, not the finish line. The manufacturers who get the most out of their systems are the ones who treat data as a core operational capability — not a nice-to-have dashboard. In this episode, Formic Product Manager Molly Garrison walks through how production analytics transforms automation from static machinery into an adaptive, continuously improving system, and why visibility into what's actually happening on your line is the key to unlocking its full potential. The episode covers the key performance indicators every manufacturer should track — OEE, cycle time, downtime, throughput, first pass yield, MTBF, MTTR, and energy consumption — and explains how to turn that data into action through visualization tools, automated alerts, root cause analysis, and structured continuous improvement programs. A real-world case study shows how one manufacturer's palletizing line went from chronic missed targets and overtime to accurate scheduling and proactive problem-solving once they deployed Formic Production Intelligence (FPI). The shift from reactive to predictive isn't reserved for advanced operations — it starts with simply replacing paper logs and guesswork with reliable, real-time data. Key Takeaways: Data transforms automation from a static machine into a learning system — without it, you're managing by assumption and fighting fires instead of preventing themKey KPIs to track: OEE, cycle time, planned and unplanned downtime, throughput, first pass yield (FPY), MTBF, MTTR, and energy consumptionFormic Production Intelligence (FPI) gives teams real-time CPM benchmarks per SKU with visual status indicators — green, yellow, and red — so problems are caught in the moment, not after the shiftOne manufacturer went from chronic overtime and missed targets to reliable scheduling and proactive problem-solving simply by making performance data visible and actionableThe path from reactive to predictive analytics starts simple: eliminate paper logs, automate information flow, and make operator data easy to read and act onTreating analytics as a core capability — not an add-on — is what separates manufacturers who continuously improve from those who continuously firefightAutomate Now is written by the Formic team — Saman Farid, Danijel Lolic, Molly Garrison, Brooklyn Kiosow, and Shawn Fitzgerald — and edited by Brooklyn Kiosow. Formic helps U.S. manufacturers automate for the first time through Full Service Automation: no large upfront investment, no in-house robotics expertise required. If this episode made you think about where automation could work in your facility, start the conversation at formic.co. 0:00 Intro — Why Data Matters 1:11 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) 2:23 Turning Data Into Action 3:36 Predictive & Prescriptive Analytics 4:40 Case Study: A Palletizing Line 5:31 FPI in Action — The Results 6:44 Making Data a Competitive Advantage 7:24 Key Takeaways

    13 min

  7. May 21

    Chapter 11: Choosing the Right Automation Partner

    The right automation partner can transform your operation. The wrong one can leave you with a corner full of idle machines and a team that's lost faith in the whole idea. In this episode, the Formic team breaks down how to evaluate your options — whether you're going the self-managed route with a traditional systems integrator or choosing a Full Service Automation provider — and what to look for (and watch out for) in either case. The episode covers the practical differences between the two models: self-managed gives you full control but also full responsibility for deployment, programming, maintenance, and all the costs that come with it; Full Service Automation hands those responsibilities to a partner in exchange for a predictable monthly fee and guaranteed performance. From there, the team outlines where to start your search — industry referrals, trade shows like PACK EXPO, case studies, and online research — and walks through a clear list of green flags and red flags to use when evaluating any provider. Strong post-install support, realistic ROI modeling, and transparency about technology are the signs of a partner worth trusting. Overpromising, proprietary lock-in, and vague roadmaps are the signs to walk away. Key Takeaways: The first major decision in any automation journey is whether to self-manage the system or work with a Full Service provider — each model has distinct tradeoffs in control, cost, and complexitySelf-managed automation gives you ownership and flexibility, but puts all deployment, programming, and maintenance responsibility on your team — a significant burden for most small and mid-sized manufacturersFull Service Automation reduces operational burden and often shows immediate return, but requires careful evaluation of service terms, uptime guarantees, and provider financial stabilityGreen flags to look for: proven industry experience, realistic ROI modeling, strong references, robust post-install support, flexible scaling, and open communicationRed flags to avoid: overpromising results, no clear roadmap, proprietary lock-in, limited post-install support, and rigid requirements that ignore your business goalsYour automation partner should bring more than technology — they should bring clarity, accountability, and a genuine commitment to your long-term successAutomate Now is written by the Formic team — Saman Farid, Danijel Lolic, Molly Garrison, Brooklyn Kiosow, and Shawn Fitzgerald — and edited by Brooklyn Kiosow. Formic helps U.S. manufacturers automate for the first time through Full Service Automation: no large upfront investment, no in-house robotics expertise required. If this episode made you think about where automation could work in your facility, start the conversation at formic.co. 0:00 Intro — Avoid the Robot Graveyard 0:52 Self-Managed vs. Full Service 2:12 Where to Start: Industry Referrals 3:00 Green Flags to Look For 3:36 Red Flags to Avoid 4:08 Full Service Considerations 4:56 Key Takeaways

    7 min

  8. May 21

    Chapter 10: Building Internal Buy-In

    The technology is the easy part. Getting everyone in your organization aligned around an automation initiative is where many manufacturers get stuck. In this episode, the Formic team walks through what it actually takes to build internal buy-in — from the C-suite all the way to the production floor — using a real customer story as the anchor. When one manufacturer's CFO pushed back on a Robots-as-a-Service model, the conversation shifted the moment he understood what outright ownership actually required: a robotics engineer, years before ROI, and equipment that couldn't grow with the business. That story illustrates the core principle of this episode: building buy-in means speaking to what each stakeholder actually cares about. The CFO cares about cash flow and total cost of ownership. Managers care about whether deployment will disrupt their team's productivity. Operators care about whether automation makes their day harder or easier. The episode includes a detailed buy-in checklist organized by stakeholder group — executives, managers, operators, and cross-functional teams — with specific questions to answer and communicate at each level. When people feel heard and informed, alignment follows naturally. Key Takeaways: Internal buy-in requires translating automation's value into language that matters to each stakeholder — what works for the CFO won't land with the frontline operatorThe CFO conversation often shifts when total cost of ownership is laid out clearly — the hidden costs of outright ownership (engineers, maintenance, obsolescence) frequently make Full Service Automation the smarter financial choiceOperators and frontline employees are more likely to embrace automation when they're involved early and understand how their roles will evolve — not just that they willReal stories from peer manufacturers are one of the most effective tools for building internal support — seeing how similar businesses succeeded makes the path feel achievableThe buy-in checklist covers four groups: executives focused on growth and margin, managers focused on workflow and performance, operators focused on daily tasks and safety, and cross-functional teams focused on alignment and communicationWhen you've thought through the concerns of every stakeholder and can answer them clearly, trust builds — and trust is what gets everyone on the same pageAutomate Now is written by the Formic team — Saman Farid, Danijel Lolic, Molly Garrison, Brooklyn Kiosow, and Shawn Fitzgerald — and edited by Brooklyn Kiosow. Formic helps U.S. manufacturers automate for the first time through Full Service Automation: no large upfront investment, no in-house robotics expertise required. If this episode made you think about where automation could work in your facility, start the conversation at formic.co. 0:00 Intro — The CFO Story1:19 Different Stakeholders2:23 Automation as a Helpful Tool3:23 The Power of Real Examples4:03 Buy-In Checklist: Executives4:56 Buy-In Checklist: Managers5:35 Buy-In Checklist: Operators6:15 Buy-In Checklist: Cross-Functional6:47 Key Takeaways

    7 min
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About

American manufacturing is at an inflection point. Labor shortages are accelerating, global competition is intensifying, and the pressure to produce more with less has never been greater. The answer — for manufacturers of every size — is automation. But knowing you need to automate and knowing how to do it are two very different things. Automate Now is the practical playbook for CPG manufacturers ready to take action. Written by the Formic team — the people who have helped hundreds of U.S. factories automate for the first time — this audiobook cuts through the complexity and gives you a clear, honest roadmap: where to start, how to build internal buy-in, how to choose the right partner, and how to scale from your first win into a future-proof operation.

Information

  • Creator
    Formic
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Formic
  • Show Website
    Automate Now