Insights from a bottling manager and how Clevertech’s team backed him at every step

When wineries invest in automation - whether to reduce manual labor, boost performance, or keep production running smoothly - another question becomes just as important: Will the supplier be there to support us when we need them?

At Oak Ridge Winery, Bottling Manager Steven Uline recently oversaw the installation of a Clevertech bulk depalletizer, case erector, and partition inserter into their existing bottling line. For him, the decision wasn’t only about the capabilities of the machinery. It was also about having confidence that the level of after-sales service and support would remain dependable over the long term.

“Clevertech’s quality of support is great,” Uline says. “They were very responsive to our specific challenges and committed to finding solutions that worked for us. During installation, we kept a punch list of open items and worked through it together.”  His team adapted to the new equipment quickly, and when questions came up, assistance often arrived the same day. That responsiveness made the integration smoother and gave mechanics and operators confidence as they learned the system.

Clevertech’s After-Sales Manager John Feeley explains that the company’s North American service structure is designed with this kind of customer experience in mind. For more than a decade, Clevertech has operated a full service and support headquarters in Fort Myers, Florida, staffed with more than 30 mechanical, electrical, and automation technicians positioned throughout North America. Their familiarity with U.S. production environments allows them to provide practical, rapid assistance when it matters most.

"This service-first structure reflects how Clevertech positions itself, not just as an equipment provider, but as a long-term operational partner." Feeley notes that the Fort Myers facility stocks commonly needed spare parts, with the ability to source or produce specialized components when required. Many issues can also be resolved through Clevertech’s remote-diagnostics capabilities, which help reduce—or even prevent—downtime by eliminating the need for an onsite visit.  

Service Manager Yvan Montauti adds that consistent communication is another core part of their approach. Some companies prefer weekly or monthly check-ins to review system performance or planned maintenance, and the service team adjusts to each site’s preferences. For operations seeking additional coverage, Clevertech offers scheduled preventive maintenance and software audits tailored to each facility.

For Uline, the combination of responsive communication, effective problem-solving, and knowledgeable technicians made the transition to new automation far less daunting. Instead of wondering whom to call or how long a fix might take, he found the support to be steady, straightforward, and reliable.

Oak Ridge’s experience working with Clevertech reflects this approach: equipment that performs reliably, backed by a U.S.-based support team that responds quickly, communicates clearly, and remains engaged well beyond installation.

As wineries consider new investments in bottling or packaging automation, it becomes clear that the equipment itself is only part of the decision. The long-term relationship—how installation is handled, how quickly issues are addressed, and how well the supplier understands the customer’s operation—often has just as much impact on day-to-day performance.

To learn more about Clevertech’s support services or equipment options, contact Beth Zarnick-Duffy, Sales Manager, at 814-571-1768 or by email: b.zarnick@clevertech-group.com.   

𝗖𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵’𝘀 high‑speed end‑of‑line systems set the pace for modern packaging lines, consistently delivering the throughput operations demand.

Speed isn’t just a fixed number — it’s maintaining the right rate at the right moment. Systems must sustain required production speeds, provide surge capacity when needed, and ramp down smoothly when product flow is reduced. The goal is stable, predictable performance that adapts as demands change.

If consistent, reliable speed is a priority, let’s connect!

WIN Expo was a success - and if you missed it, here’s the big takeaway: Clevertech North America makes bottling automation simple, scalable, and cost-effective.

Our modular approach means you start with what you need now—depalletizer, case packer, or palletizer-and add more as your production grows. Seamless integration minimizes downtime and maximizes ROI.

Wondering how Clevertech’s technology can fit into your space? Schedule a meeting with one of our Sales Managers to see how we can enhance your plant's performance. Whether you run a small winery or a large-scale operation, Clevertech is here to help you overcome labor, space, and budget challenges—one smart step at a time. 

Contact Clevertech today to learn how modular automation can transform your bottling line.

Discover how Clevertech engineered and installed advanced palletizing and depalletizing systems for Certified Origins, a leader in the USA food sector. From streamlined efficiency to accelerated ROI and a long-term OEM & client partnership - view the impact of Clevertech’s best-in-class automation.

Small Steps, Big Gains: Affordable Efficiency with Winery Automation

The wine industry is undergoing a seismic shift. Changing consumer preferences, generational taste evolution, and a surge of lower-cost grapes and bulk wine from global markets are reshaping the competitive terrain.  To stay ahead, wineries are rethinking their operations, streamlining workflows, expanding outreach, and embracing automation as a strategic lever for growth.

Companies facing financial constraints often turn to automation, a proven strategy that can help reduce labor costs and increase production efficiency in packaging and bottling lines. Among these innovations, packaging automation stands out, delivering measurable cost savings, production agility, and scalable infrastructure, empowering wineries to protect margins and adapt swiftly to market demands.

When financial constraints tighten, automation becomes more than a luxury; it’s a lifeline. For wineries, automating packaging and bottling lines can dramatically reduce labor costs and boost operational efficiency, even when capital is limited. That’s where Clevertech North America comes in.

To help wineries navigate automation without the burden of a full-scale upfront investment, Clevertech North America offers a modular solution designed to grow with winery’s production needs. Leveraging decades of automation expertise, Clevertech delivers fully integrated, customizable systems that align with your specific goals, space constraints, and long-term vision. Instead of requiring a complete end-to-end bottling line from day one, wineries can start with a single component that addresses a pressing need and expand seamlessly over time, building toward a fully automated system at a pace and scale that fits their operation. It’s a smarter, more flexible path to automation that delivers both immediate impact and future-proof scalability.

Oak Ridge Winery: A Modular Success Story
Oak Ridge Winery in Lodi, California, was an early adopter of Clevertech’s modular strategy. Under the leadership of Bottling Manager Steven Uline, the winery implemented three key components: a depalletizer, partition inserter, and case erector. These upgrades enhanced bulk glass packaging and integrated smoothly with their existing line.

Uline says, "These upgrades are part of a larger goal to improve how we handle bulk glass packaging and ensure everything operates seamlessly with the speed and flow of our existing line. Clevertech was able to meet our tight installation deadline without interfering with our production schedule, and their systems offered the advanced diagnostics we needed to eliminate downtime and simplify troubleshooting."

When a winery client engages Clevertech to evaluate its bottling line, the process begins with a collaborative evaluation.

Clevertech's North American Sales Manager, Beth Zarnick-Duffy, explains, "We work with customers to engineer customized equipment that meets their requirements, layout constraints, technical specs, and future expectations."

Clevertech engineers conducted an on-site assessment at Oak Ridge to observe operations, measure line speeds, and identify bottlenecks, and flag safety concerns. The resulting solutions included a depalletizer capable of handling full bulk pallets - reducing forklift reloads and enabling rejection of entire stacks without halting production. The upgraded case erector featured an expanded magazine, allowing operators to load knockdowns more efficiently.

Results That Speak for Themselves
“Since installing the new Clevertech equipment,” adds Uline, “we've seen major improvements in efficiency. Changeovers are faster, and we can diagnose and resolve machine downtime more efficiently. It's made the entire line more productive and easier to manage. The benefits go beyond just speed. Clevertech was committed to coming up with solutions that worked for us. Their team was extremely responsive and really took the time to understand our specific needs. Would I recommend working with Clevertech again? Absolutely!”

Zarnick-Duffy adds that CleverTech's support doesn't stop at installation. "Our clients know that Clevertech is their first point of response and will always answer their call, at any time of the day or night, to help them get their systems up and running. If it can't be done remotely, we'll send someone to fix it."

Clevertech Is Helping Wineries Thrive Amid Industry Disruption
For more information about Clevertech’s modular automation solutions, contact Beth Zarnick-Duffy at b.zarnick@clevertech-group.com to start the conversation.

Certified Origins Block Buster Testimonial Premier!

From streamlined efficiency to accelerated ROI and a long-term OEM & client partnership - watch the full journey unfold.

From Time-lapse installation to successful production, this testimonial highlights the impact of Clevertech’s best-in-class automation, straight from the voice of our client.

 
Hear how our partnership with Certified Origins made a real impact:
• Boosting operational efficiency
• Strengthening supply chain transparency
• Building long-term trust
• Delivering scalable results

This is more than a testimonial; it's a testament to what's possible when vision meets execution.

♻️ A 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 is the foundation of a 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆, and at Clevertech we recognize the importance of 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀. 

𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 isn’t just a choice but a 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲: here's how we're turning our commitment into concrete action 👇 

🔌 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝘃𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘀 & 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗹𝘀 to clean energy 
🌱 𝟭𝟭,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘀 planted in Mexico with Plant-for-the-Planet Foundation
💡 Used 𝟳𝟯𝟰,𝟰𝟳𝟳 𝗸𝗪𝗵 from 𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀
🌍 Compensated 𝟭𝟬.𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗸𝗴 𝗖𝗢₂𝗲𝗾
✅ Achieved 𝘇𝗲𝗿𝗼 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝟮 𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

👉 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲? Let’s act today to preserve tomorrow

In today’s fast-paced production environments, space is a luxury and efficiency is non-negotiable. That’s why Clevertech introduces the Small Footprint Depalletizer: a compact, high-performance solution designed to transform your line without taking up unnecessary space.

Whether you’re working with bottles, cans, or cartons, this depalletizer is engineered to handle a variety of formats with speed, precision, and care. Its modular design allows for seamless integration into existing lines, minimizing downtime and maximizing throughput.

Despite its reduced footprint, it doesn’t compromise on performance. With advanced motion control technology and a user-friendly interface, it delivers consistent, reliable operation shift after shift.

Operators love the simple, smart controls designed for ease of use and fast changeovers. And with built-in diagnostics and remote support capabilities, maintenance is quick and cost-effective.

From startups with limited space to large facilities looking to optimize every square foot, the Small Footprint Depalletizer is the right fit for businesses that refuse to compromise.

Clevertech – where smart engineering meets real-world needs. The future of compact automation is here.