November 18, 2025
Blog

Automated Denesting: Why It’s Time to Eliminate Manual Processes

Your production line can only move as fast as your containers are placed on it. Yet many facilities still rely on manual labor to denest trays, cups, or lids—slowing down the entire process before it even begins.


Automated denesting changes that. By replacing manual denesting with an automated system, you can increase efficiency, reduce labor costs, and improve consistency at the front of your line—setting the pace for everything that follows.

A picture of a mechanical system.

The Importance of a Strong Front-of-Line Solution

The start of your packaging line sets the tone for your entire operation. When containers aren’t being efficiently placed on the conveyor, it creates bottlenecks that cascade through the rest of your production.


Automated denesters help eliminate these slow points by continuously feeding trays, cups, or other rigid containers onto the line with precision and speed. The result? Higher throughput, fewer operator interventions, and a smoother flow downstream.

Why It’s Time to Eliminate Manual Denesting

Manual denesting may seem manageable—until you factor in:

  • Labor Costs: Operators performing repetitive, low-value tasks drive up costs without increasing efficiency.
  • Inconsistency: Human handling introduces variability that affects product placement and downstream performance.
  • Downtime: Manual processes can’t keep up with modern line speeds or quick format changes.

Automating this first step boosts output while freeing your team to focus on quality and production oversight, not repetitive manual work.

How Morrison Denesters Deliver Efficiency and Accuracy

At Morrison Container Handling Solutions, our automated denesting systems are built to meet the diverse needs of packaging operations. From frozen meals and produce trays to flower pots and single-serve containers, we design solutions that keep your production moving efficiently.

Our Denesting Technologies Include:

  • Screw Denesters: Ideal for consistent stacks with defined gaps; adjustable for multiple sizes and quick-change tooling available.
  • Pneumatic Denesters: Designed for containers without lips or consistent spacing, offering flexibility for tricky packaging.
  • Custom Denesters: Tailored for unique applications—whether you need to denest horizontally or handle irregular container types.

Each system is engineered for accuracy, reliability, and washdown environments, so you can count on performance no matter your production conditions.

Introducing the Quick Change Denester

Efficiency isn’t just about automation—it’s about flexibility. The Quick Change Denester is Morrison’s next evolution in denesting technology, featuring:

  1. Automated Front-of-Line Efficiency – Reduce manual labor and start every run faster.
  2. Toolless Changeovers – Switch between container sizes quickly with a cartridge-based design.
  3. Built for Modern Lines – Durable and adaptable for high-speed operations.
  4. Standardized Yet Smart – Combines custom-grade performance with the simplicity of a standard model.

This system helps manufacturers ramp up production while maintaining repeatable accuracy during changeovers.

Quick Change Screw Denester
Morrison Quick Change Screw Denester

The Bottom Line: Set the Pace with Morrison Denesters

Automating your denesting process is more than an upgrade—it’s a strategy to future-proof your operations.
With Morrison Denesters, you can:

  • Help minimize manual inefficiencies
  • Increase line speed and throughput
  • Reduce downtime and labor costs
  • Achieve consistency from start to finish

Set the pace of your production with Morrison Denesters—because the first step on your line should always be your fastest. Contact us today!

Ready to work with Morrison?

Get a free quote.

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