After dedicating 25 years of my life to the food manufacturing industry, as a leader and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt working with companies like Schneiders, Maple Leaf Foods, and Sofina Foods, I found myself at a crossroads. I had taken early retirement following the challenging times brought about by the pandemic. Despite the solace retirement initially brought, I yearned for a new purpose, a way to continue making a meaningful impact on the food industry.
Through a stroke of fate, I wrote a random post on YODL to reach out, offering my wealth of experience to any startup that could provide genuine innovation.
Little did I know that my message would catch the attention of Rae Jeong, the CEO of Toronto, ON-based Laplace Robotics, and a talented software and robotics developer with a mission to address the labour crisis in Canada’s food industry. Rae, who had previously worked with Google’s Deep Mind and as a robotics developer, was on the lookout for someone with a deep understanding of the food industry to guide his company’s growth.
We soon connected and quickly realized the immense potential of our collaboration. Laplace Robotics had developed cutting-edge Vision software that harnessed the power of artificial intelligence. The deep learning program showcased unprecedented capabilities in robotics and automation. It was precisely what I had been searching for all these years – an innovative solution to address yield and labour costs in the food industry.
As I delved deeper into the capabilities of Laplace Robotics’ software, I discovered its remarkable versatility. The AI-powered Vision software had applications across various aspects of the food industry. It could optimize production lines, streamline packaging processes, and enhance quality control. With its ability to automate repetitive tasks and analyze vast amounts of data in real-time, it could significantly reduce labour requirements while improving efficiency and accuracy.
We realized that the labour shortage plaguing the food industry could be mitigated with the implementation of Laplace Robotics’ software. By automating repetitive and physically demanding tasks, the software could alleviate the burden on human workers, allowing them to focus on more complex and creative aspects of food production. The breakthrough innovation had the potential to reshape the industry’s labour landscape, making it more sustainable and attractive to new talent.
Recognizing the profound impact we could make together, I officially joined Laplace Robotics as the head of Project Development, after six months of an advising role to Rae, marking the beginning of a tremendous partnership. With my extensive industry knowledge and expertise, combined with Rae’s technological prowess, vision and leadership, we form a formidable team.
Our collaboration enabled Laplace Robotics to scale rapidly, as we introduced our cutting-edge software to food manufacturers across Canada. As more companies embrace the innovative technology, they are experiencing significant benefits. Customer yield rates improve, as the software optimizes production processes and minimizes waste. Labour costs are significantly reduced, making operations more cost-effective. Food quality and safety standards can reach new heights, thanks to the software’s real-time data analysis and fault detection capabilities.
The value that we bring to food manufacturers is immeasurable. We provide a solution to industry-wide challenges, but also help shape a more sustainable and efficient future for the Canadian food industry. Our partnership is a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and the unwavering pursuit of progress through CFIN.
We continue to revolutionize the food industry through Laplace Robotics with AI-powered Vision software. We hope to inspire others to embrace technology and unlock new possibilities in the Canadian food industry, and prove that even in the face of uncertainty, making connections can ignite a spark that transforms an entire industry.