OAL News
The Great Exhibition 2025: celebrating British innovation in robotics
OAL demonstrated its UK-designed and engineered pick and place robot at The Great Exhibition 2025, showcasing how automation can improve safety, efficiency, and flexibility in modern food manufacturing.
We were proud to demonstrate how OAL’s robotics are helping modernise food manufacturing at The Great Exhibition 2025 in Lincoln.
The event brought together industry, defence, and government leaders to celebrate British innovation and engineering excellence.
Our fenceless pick and place robot was featured in the central celebration area, demonstrating how robotics can improve safety, productivity and flexibility in modern food production.
Designed and engineered in the UK
Designed and engineered at our Peterborough headquarters, OAL’s pick and place system combines speed, safety and adaptability in a compact footprint.
It helps food manufacturers reduce manual handling, improve efficiency, and adapt quickly to changing production needs, all without the space or safety barriers required by traditional robots.
At the exhibition, the robot ran continuously throughout the day, demonstrating how automation can operate safely alongside people on the factory floor.
The OAL team showcasing the pick and place robot at The Great Exhibition 2025 in Lincoln.
A showcase of innovation
The Great Exhibition’s Innovate, Trade, Invest theme reflected what drives us at OAL, helping manufacturers modernise food production through practical, proven automation.
Events like this highlight how British design and engineering can deliver real-world impact for manufacturers tackling labour shortages and rising demand.
Read more about the event in the BBC’s coverage of The Great Exhibition 2025.
Looking ahead
We’d like to thank the organisers, partners and visitors who came to see our system in action.
As robotics adoption accelerates, we’re continuing to grow our capabilities and expand our team to meet the increasing demand for automation in UK food manufacturing.
We’re always looking for talented engineers, technicians, and innovators to join us on this journey.
Explore our latest opportunities at OAL Careers.
If you missed us in Lincoln, we’d love to show you what’s next. Visit us in Peterborough to see our latest robotic systems at our next seminar.
OAL Connected becomes first GS1 UK Approved packaging verification platform
We’re proud to share that OAL Connected has officially received GS1 UK Approved status, making it the first packaging verification platform in the UK to achieve this certification.
This recognition confirms OAL Connected’s full compliance with GS1’s global standards and marks a major milestone for the UK food sector as it transitions toward next-generation barcoding and traceability. With major UK retailers like Tesco piloting dynamic QR codes, OAL Connected gives food manufacturers the tools to stay compliant and futureproof.
The OAL team celebrates GS1 UK approval of the Connected platform at the Peterborough HQ
Left to right: Jake Norman, Faye Louch, Phil Tokens
Raising the standard for packaging verification
The GS1 UK product approval process involved a rigorous technical review, including a live demonstration and a full assessment of documentation. OAL Connected is now certified to support:
GS1 Digital Link QR codes
GTIN, SSCC and GS1-compliant data structures
Barcode symbologies including EAN/UPC, GS1-128 and GS1 DataMatrix
As UK retailers prepare for Project Sunrise, this certification ensures our customers are ready to meet new packaging data requirements with confidence.
“We built OAL Connected to deliver robust traceability and packaging integrity across food manufacturing. To have that independently validated by GS1 UK is a proud moment for the team, and a real win for our customers.”
Why GS1 certification matters
GS1 UK Approval confirms that OAL Connected has been tested against strict global benchmarks for barcode integrity, data quality and traceability.
With this capability, manufacturers can now print GS1 Digital Link-enabled QR codes inline, embedding variable data such as expiry dates directly onto packs for retailer systems and smartphone scanning.
“We are pleased to approve OAL Connected for its alignment with GS1 standards. Their platform demonstrates the identification and barcode compliance that helps the UK food sector meet growing expectations around traceability, data quality and supply chain transparency.”
See it in action at OAL HQ
To support this rollout, we’re running live automation seminars at our Peterborough headquarters. Attendees will see OAL Connected and other automation systems in action, with a focus on how to futureproof operations for compliance, efficiency and transparency.
OAL Featured on BBC Climate Documentary: Ready Meals – What They Really Mean for You
We’re proud to announce that OAL has been featured in the BBC’s new documentary Ready Meals: What They Really Mean for You, now streaming on BBC iPlayer.
The programme explores how food production can achieve net zero, and the innovative technologies helping to do it. Our APRIL™ robotic chef and Steam Infusion technologies are featured, demonstrating automated cooking at scale while cutting energy, water, and chemical usage.
The system was developed as part of Project Souper Green - our £2 million collaboration with Solina and Marks and Spencer, part-funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero through the Industrial Energy Efficiency Accelerator, delivered by The Carbon Trust in partnership with Jacobs and Innovate UK.
Being featured on the BBC is a proud milestone for our team and a clear signal that automation and robotic solutions have a central role to play in decarbonising food production.
Watch the episode on BBC iPlayer to see how OAL delivers practical, scalable solutions for a more sustainable future. (OAL segment at 16:35)
Want to automate your food business? Get in touch to explore what’s possible.
Automation Trends in Food Manufacturing Seminar Series
Join our exclusive seminar series tailored for leaders in food manufacturing. Discover innovative technologies, engage in insightful discussions, and gain a competitive edge.
Automation is reshaping the future of food manufacturing, and this seminar series is your gateway to staying ahead. From artificial intelligence to robotics, our events are designed to showcase advanced solutions and spark meaningful conversations among industry leaders.
What You’ll Experience:
Live Demonstrations
Get to grips with the latest robotic and vision technologies shaping food manufacturing
Interactive Discussions
Participate in breakout sessions on automation trends, challenges, and opportunities for tailored solutions.
Networking Opportunities
Connect with industry experts, academics, and peers driving innovation in food manufacturing
Why Attend?
Exclusive Insights: Gain knowledge on cutting-edge automation trends and practical applications.
Tailored Solutions: Explore how automation can meet your specific operational needs.
Actionable Takeaways: Leave with clear strategies to implement and drive ROI in your business.
Register Your Interest
Complete the form below to express your interest. One of our team members will contact you shortly to confirm your attendance.
Upcoming Seminars:
Tuesday 25th February - FULLY BOOKED
Thursday 27th March
Thursday 15th May
Tuesday 3rd June
Thursday 4th September
Tuesday 6th November
Location:
All our events are held at OAL’s headquarters.
Address: OAL, A1 Parkway, Peterborough, PE2 6YN
Movember 2024 at OAL in aid of the Northamptonshire Charity Stroke Team Charity
This Movember, our team supported the Northamptonshire Healthy Charity by growing moustaches and raising awareness for their vital work.
Together, we raised a fantastic £2,820.00 to help support the Community Stroke Team with their amazing work!
This campaign has been about more than just questionable moustaches – it’s been about making a real difference. Every penny donated goes towards vital projects helping people and their families work through illness and the road to recovery.
Andy’s Story
Support for Stroke survivors is a cause very close to our hearts.
Last year, our colleague Andy, a popular presence in the office, suffered a stroke. Thanks to the exceptional support from medical services, especially the Community Stroke Team, Andy was able to achieve his primary goal of returning to OAL, a journey that has inspired us all.
This year, we rallied together to support the Community Stroke Team at the Northampton Health Charity and the invaluable work they do.
Every generous donation went towards helping people and their families work through illness and the road to recovery.
“I'm very proud of our team for taking on Movember to raise money for the Stroke Team!” enthused OAL Managing Director, Jake Norman. “If you've been lucky enough to work with Andy Sillence, you'll know he is Mr Sunshine Yellow. Following a stroke last year, we've been astounded by the grit and determination he has shown to return to work and we're thrilled to have him back! It was an obvious choice for us to raise money and awareness for the charity that supported him this Movember.”
About the Northamptonshire Community Stroke Team (CST)
The Northamptonshire Community Stroke Team (CST) is a respected service that focuses on delivering high-quality, tailored rehabilitation for stroke survivors. Their multidisciplinary team, including physiotherapists, occupational and speech therapists, rehab assistants/practitioners, and nurses, collaborates to help patients recover from, illness and regain independence.
Find out more about the amazing work the Community Stroke Team does HERE.