Integrated system boosts efficiencies

Richmond Baking meets upgraded speed and capacity goals by installing six new v/f/f/s bagging lines.

WELL INTEGRATED. The bagging lines feature precisely coordinated conveyors, feeders, weigh scales, baggers, metal detectors, and
WELL INTEGRATED. The bagging lines feature precisely coordinated conveyors, feeders, weigh scales, baggers, metal detectors, and

Richmond Baking, Richmond, IN, one of the largest baked goods manufacturers in the United States, produces cookies and crackers for retail markets, as well as industrial-ingredient coating systems for meat, fish, vegetable, and dessert processors. The company's preprinted, heat-sealable rollstock bag material structures and suppliers are considered proprietary.

Two years ago, the company recognized a need to increase bagging speeds on its cookie/cracker packaging lines. William Quigg, president of Richmond Baking, notes, “The scales we were using maintained desired throughputs, but the baggers we had in place were intended for large cereal bags and did not provide the bag-per-minute (bpm) rate required for our cookies. We need a minimum of 90 per minute to maintain satisfactory packaging efficiency.”

Two-phase upgrade

A colleague of Quigg suggested that Richmond Baking consider Robag bagging equipment manufactured by TNA (www.tnarobag.com). The baker put the equipment to the test and decided to purchase two Robag 3 vertical form/fill/seal machines.

As a result of this packaging equipment upgrade, Richmond Baking was able to negotiate a number of contracts to produce 12-oz bags of cookies and crackers, including snack crackers, cheese crackers, oyster crackers, animal crackers, and chocolate chip cookies (contract customer identities not disclosed). But taking on these contract packing jobs also necessitated a further packaging line expansion to achieve 300% more production capacity. Based on the positive results of the first upgrade, Richmond acquired four more Robag 3 machines and a TNA “Roflo” distribution system that feeds combination scales from Yamato (www.yamatocorp.com).

Coding, Marking, and Labeling Innovations Report
Explore our editor-curated report featuring cutting-edge coding, labeling, and RFID innovations from PACK EXPO 2024. Discover high-speed digital printing, sustainable label materials, automated labeling systems, and advanced traceability solutions that are transforming packaging operations across industries.
Access Report
Coding, Marking, and Labeling Innovations Report
List: Digitalization Companies From PACK EXPO
Looking for CPG-focused digital transformation solutions? Download our editor-curated list from PACK EXPO featuring top companies offering warehouse management, ERP, digital twin, and MES software with supply chain visibility and analytics capabilities—all tailored specifically for CPG operations.
Download Now
List: Digitalization Companies From PACK EXPO