Rockwell Automation, the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, today announced the winners of its Best Future Machine Awards, presented during interpack 2026 in Düsseldorf.
The awards recognize machine builders with solutions demonstrating forward‑looking design and measurable impact across flexibility, digital enablement, sustainability, cybersecurity and operator empowerment. Winners were selected by an independent, industry‑led jury comprising end users, representatives from leading European packaging associations, as well as delegates from Rockwell Automation.
“The Best Future Machine Awards highlight how machine builders are responding to real production challenges with practical, scalable innovation,” said Fabrizio Scovenna, regional vice president OEM, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Rockwell Automation. “These winners show how advanced machine design, digital technologies and people‑centric solutions can come together to improve performance, support cybersecurity and drive sustainability today while preparing manufacturers for the demands of tomorrow.”
The winners:
- Royal Houdijk was recognized in the Future‑Ready Flexible Packaging Machine category for delivering a solution that combines extreme format and product flexibility with a modular, scalable design. The jury highlighted the company’s ability to anticipate evolving production requirements through an architecture that supports long‑term adaptability and performance. The award was presented for the Flex Capper PE with integrated Cookiebot XP/VF.
- PBL S.p.A. received the Operational Excellence Through Digital Enablement award for demonstrating how advanced digital technologies can be applied to improve operational consistency and flexibility. The jury cited the company’s effective integration of AI‑based vision systems, advanced robotics and automation to support higher levels of performance and control. The award recognized PBL’s ROBOX A/I 120 machine.
- In the Operator Empowerment category, the jury recognized two winners:
- Cama Group was commended for delivering a highly integrated machine that simplifies interaction and enhances usability, enabling operators to perform more effective, value‑adding roles through intuitive human‑machine interfaces. The award recognized the MTL machine.
- Cavanna S.p.A. was recognized for its focus on operator‑centric design, with advanced interface functionality that improves clarity, control and ease of use on the shop floor. The jury awarded Cavanna for its HMI Zero5 solution.
- Clearpack Group was recognized in the Cyber‑Secure category for embedding robust security principles directly into machine design. The jury highlighted the use of secure remote access, RFID, facial recognition, and a cyber‑secure architecture aligned with modern industrial security requirements. The award was presented for the RCP Top‑Load Case Packer.
- Senzani Brevetti S.p.A. received the Sustainable Performance award for enabling the transition from plastic packaging to recyclable cardboard solutions while maintaining operational flexibility. The jury emphasized the solution’s positive impact on logistics efficiency, transport emissions reduction, and warehouse optimization through a modular and adaptable design. The award recognized the U‑Seal system, including the TFormer and TCloser.
