Launched in 2023, Usina Coruripe ‘s process automation strategy has been yielding results for the organization. In partnership with AutomationEdge and Quality Digital, the company implemented 33 RPA projects, achieving savings of approximately 16,000 hours annually in operational and administrative activities.

From the outset, the goal was to increase efficiency, reduce repetitive manual tasks, and free up the team for analytical and strategic activities, especially in the areas of logistics, tax, accounting, and human resources.

“We were looking for a solution that combined cost-effectiveness, agility, and autonomy. AutomationEdge stood out for its ease of learning, independence in development, and immediate gains seen in the areas where the automations were applied,” comments Ledir Malaquias, IT manager at Usina Coruripe.

Among the automated processes, three cases stood out in the day-to-day operation, namely:

1. Sugarcane weighing reports which now use a robot to identify the departure weight, finalize the transport, and automatically generate the invoice, sending it via email to the manager. With this modification, invoicing now occurs in real time, increasing the agility of operations and the traceability of shipments;
2. PPE expiration control now automatically monitored by RPA. With this control, 15 days before the PPE expires, the manager receives daily email alerts; 10 days before, the robot generates and sends an acknowledgement document for the employee to sign; and after the expiration date, supervisors are included in the communication flow to ensure compliance and safety.
3. Measurable gains and a consolidated digital culture
   With automation, previously overburdened areas gained efficiency and new performance indicators. The gains came from the repurposing of time and the expansion of the company’s productive capacity.

“Today we gain more than a thousand hours of productivity per month and almost 16,000 hours annually, which are reinvested in analysis and improvements. Automation has taken over repetitive tasks and freed up the team to think about the business,” says Malaquias.

In addition to operational gains, according to Coruripe, automation has also improved relationships with drivers and carriers, and has helped in fulfilling ancillary obligations required by tax authorities, minimizing the risk of audits and thus avoiding fines and penalties.

In units like Carneirinho (MG), for example, the process of issuing invoices and transport documents has been digitized; invoices are generated automatically after unloading, sent via mobile phone, and associated with the CTE (Electronic Transport Document), eliminating queues and reducing fleet downtime.

“Coruripe is an example of how automation can generate value in critical and regulated activities, reducing costs, increasing speed, and ensuring tax compliance. The key differentiator was the company’s strategic vision in empowering its internal teams to create and maintain automations independently,” emphasizes Fernando Baldin, Latam manager at AutomationEdge.

With the positive results, Coruripe plans to expand the use of RPA to new areas and integrate automation with artificial intelligence (AI) systems, further advancing its digital transformation journey.