Fast‑moving consumer goods (FMCG) manufacturer Apollo Foods is home to the brands Picky, Boring, and The Apple Press. It delivers products for domestic and export markets and runs a contract bottling facility for high‑volume clients.
The business saw AI as a chance to solve an existing problem: technical knowledge spread across multiple shifts, notes, and individuals. The goal was to create one trusted source of truth that any team member on any shift could use.
Jason involved team members in the business’ AI implementation from day one. Their feedback shaped how the tool would be set up, how the factory would use it, and its future direction. This helped make adoption feel natural rather than forced. The team identified risks, like data trust and inconsistency, and how to mitigate them.
Engineering Manager Jason says the team now uses RossOps, an AI-powered operational knowledge system, to capture and share information. Like using a shared notebook, but smarter. Staff use it to record shift events, explain faults and fixes, add photos and videos, and search past entries. Information entered can change and evolve but the business remains in control of its data. The team can enter text in any language, creating opportunities for them to work with overseas suppliers and experts.
For Apollo Foods, success looked like easy and early AI adoption across teams – which they achieved. Teams now benefit from more detailed shift reports, easy-to-read notes, and the ability to log details in the moment. Entries are more accurate, detailed, and easier to find. Reporting is higher quality, which supports better collaboration.
Jason encourages small businesses to approach AI with an open mind and every opportunity as a chance to learn.
“This isn’t about replacing people, far from it. It’s about empowering teams to capture knowledge, asset history, and operational context, in a way that truly belongs to the team and the business.”