With the introduction of an automated truck loading system powered by laser-guided vehicles, Barilla’s plant in Pedrignano (Parma) takes another decisive step toward an integrated smart plant model.
Over the past thirteen years, Barilla – one of the world’s leading multinational food companies with a strong international presence – has embarked on a pioneering journey of digitalization and automation, developed step by step and aimed at a deep transformation of its intralogistics flows. Within this context, E80 Group has supported the development of the technologies that have made this evolution possible. Today, in addition to more than one hundred laser guided vehicles (LGVs), the site features high density warehouses, storage systems and end of line solutions, all integrated into a single ecosystem managed by E80 Group’s proprietary software platform, SM.I.LE80, which coordinates systems, data, and processes, from raw material inbound through to shipment, ensuring complete traceability of all products handled while delivering long-term operational continuity and high performance.
Truck Loading Area with LGVs
The implementation of the automatic truck loading system represents the last mile of an advanced smart factory model. This innovation is part of a long-standing collaboration between Barilla and E80 Group, built and strengthened over the years.
As explained by Alessandro Spadini, Plan to Fulfill End-to-End Process Redesign Leader at Barilla, “the collaboration between Barilla and E80 Group began more than 30 years ago and it is a partnership built on three pillars: complementary expertise, with E80 Group bringing technological know-how and Barilla contributing deep process knowledge; mutual trust, which allows us to work proactively; and a shared ambition to tackle highly advanced innovation projects together, continuously raising the bar without fear of experimentation.”
“Over the years, this collaboration has given rise to an advanced ecosystem in which LGVs, warehouses and end-of-line solutions operate in synergy. Automatic truck loading represents the completion of this journey, the final mile toward full integration. It is designed to enhance existing infrastructure while ensuring scalability, reliability, and operational continuity. What truly makes this partnership special is not only the technological solutions, but also the ability to build a future together where innovation and trust go hand in hand,” says Enrico Grassi, President and Founder of E80 Group.
The solution addresses one of the most delicate stages of plant logistics: the transfer of finished goods from the warehouse to the shipping area and ultimately onto the truck. The system combines LGVs, gravity-based handling solutions, and stabilizing trailer restraints integrated in collaboration with Rite-Hite, optimizing dock configuration while improving safety throughout the loading area.
Truck Loading LGV
This milestone builds on E80 Group’s well-established technological track record in the United States, where for more than ten years the company has been designing and implementing truck loading and unloading solutions with laser-guided vehicles, delivering high standards of safety, operational continuity and shipment accuracy. This expertise, built through numerous projects approach now applied in Europe as well, making it possible to implement automatic truck loading using existing infrastructure without interrupting plant operations.
The project responds to clear and strategic needs, as Alessandro Spadini explains: “At Barilla, the automation of truck loading stems from several requirements. The first is to complete the integration of an already highly automated process, from finished product to shipment. The second concerns safety: this system helps make loading operations safer, more controlled, and more reliable. Finally, an in-depth analysis of the supply chain confirmed the value of solutions capable of increasing process resilience, enabling more stable and sustainable operating models over the long term. All the projects developed also share a common objective: to further enhance the service provided to our customers and consumers through greater flexibility, versatility, and accuracy.”
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