Innovating Nebraska's beef industry with marble's automation

By Scout Nelson

Nebraska's beef industry is witnessing a technological revolution, thanks to Marble Technologies. The company, co-founded by Chafik Barbar and Jordyn Bader, is introducing intelligent automation to transform meat processing. Their latest invention, the Automated Pack-Off System, is set to streamline the process from the feedlot to the consumer's plate. 

This state-of-the-art system, poised to launch in early 2024 in multiple packing houses, is designed to identify, weigh, sort, and box beef products efficiently. It employs Computer Vision AI to recognize different cuts of meat, categorizing them for easy packaging. This innovation not only reduces labor but also ensures accuracy and safety, while providing valuable production data. 

Marble Technologies, headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska, is strategically positioned in the heart of America's meat processing sector. Their proximity to the end consumer allows them to tailor their products effectively, ensuring they meet the specific needs of the beef industry. 

The company's focus extends beyond mere efficiency. By addressing labor-intensive areas like the pack-off process, Marble aims to make meat processing safer and more resilient, especially in the face of supply chain disruptions.  The Automated Pack-Off System is designed to fit within existing plant spaces and can be installed during non-production periods. 

Brianna Buseman, a meat scientist at Marble, emphasizes the importance of intelligent automation as the future of food processing. The insights gained from this technology are expected to lead to continuous improvements, making the industry more sustainable for future generations. 

Marble's vision for the future includes integrating robots to work alongside humans in meat packing, further enhancing efficiency and adapting to the unpredictable nature of meat production.  Their goal is to redefine meat processing, making people wonder why this approach wasn't adopted sooner. 

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