Formo’s career in the baking equipment industry spanned nearly 60 years. In the late 1940’s, he started the Northwest Bakers Exchange, an agency that brought buyers and sellers of bakery equipment together. In 1964, Formo saw the growth possibilities in poly-bagged bread, and against resistance from the baking industry and warnings that poly-bagged bread was a passing fad, he began Formost Packaging Machines, Inc. Soon, Formost was making packaging machines for hundreds of consumer items.
Formo was an active member in many organizations including the Bakery Equipment Manufacturers Association (BEMA), American Institute of Baking (AIB), the Seattle Chapter of Rotary, and the University of Washington Alumni Association and President’s Club.
Al Formo was awarded a lifetime achievement award by BEMA in 2002.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Miles and his first wife, Marylue.
Remembrances may be made to BEMA or AIB c/o Formost Packaging, 19211 144th Ave. N.E., Woodinville, WA 98072.
