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Formic’s Full Service Automation model was recently spotlighted in The New York Times as a solution for closing labor gaps, boosting productivity, and keeping U.S. manufacturing competitive. Formic's customer, S&F Foods, emphasized how bringing in Formic's automation improved employees' lives: “We have very low turnover because we try to make jobs easier,” said Mike Calleja, Plant Manager. “We are a...
Read MoreWe recently published our full-length book, Automate Now, built on 300+ years of combined manufacturing expertise. Below is a sneak peek at one of the most valuable chapters, Your End-of-Line Automation Roadmap, a practical guide to laying the foundation for automation success the first time. Want the entire book? Get your free copy here. Getting Started with Automation You’re on board with...
Read MoreFor more than 25 years, Sunrise Family Farms has crafted yogurt, kefir, and buttermilk from locally sourced milk in Norwich, New York. What began in founder Dave Evans’ backyard — drawing on three generations of dairy farming — has grown into a thriving creamery just down the road, now led by Charlie Reinshagen and Roland Klimm, representing the next chapters of the...
Read MoreLast week, in Vacaville, CA, Mariani Packing’s facility buzzed with conversation. Leaders from food, beverage, and CPG companies — including Lundberg Family Farms, Grower Direct Nut, Superior Farms, Straus Family Creamery, and Victor Packing — had gathered for a day of learning, touring, and open discussion about automation. The event was part of the Formic Automation Community series, designed to...
Read MoreALTA Foods has been at the forefront of automation for a long time. The 18-year-old tortilla manufacturer has embraced automation as a way to boost throughput, reduce labor strain, and keep up with growing demand from major retailers. In fact, much of ALTA’s production line, from mixing to bagging, is already fully automated, making ALTA a standout in a niche industry...
Read MoreBorn during the Great Depression, when popcorn became America’s favorite affordable treat, Wyandot Snacks started as a humble popcorn company in Marion, Ohio. Decades later, they were popping at full throttle, producing over 25% of the world’s popcorn and even making Cracker Jack for Frito-Lay. Today, Wyandot continues that growth from a regional popcorn producer to a go-to co-manufacturer for some of...
Read MoreAt Boxed Water, sustainability drives every decision, from manufacturing cartons made of up to 96% plant-based materials to planting over 1.5 million trees across the United States. Consumers are responding, and demand for the product continues to soar. But as orders spike further during the hottest months of the year, employees at the company’s Holland, Michigan, facility face a tough...
Read MoreFor nearly a century, Venus Wafers has proudly served as a pillar of New England’s food manufacturing community, producing premium crackers and flatbreads for leading private label and specialty brands such as CäPeachio’s, Mariner, and South Shore. Now, under the new ownership of David Lewis and a revitalized leadership team, the company is entering a new era marked by innovation, investment, and...
Read MoreToday’s manufacturers are navigating a perfect storm of challenges: labor shortages, rising input costs, increasing demand, and mounting pressure on profitability and safety. Typically, manufacturers address these challenges with temporary labor, lean manufacturing, product diversification, and traditional automation. Unfortunately, many of these tactics serve as temporary band-aids rather than long-term solutions. A more permanent solution to closing the productivity and...
Read MoreWhen James Shutts took over as the CEO of Bakery on Main nearly two years ago, he stepped into a company with decades of history — and decades of operational inertia. He immediately recognized the opportunity for the Connecticut-based granola company to scale its business while simultaneously cutting back on inefficiencies, and he made a to-do list. “Manufacturers often get...
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