Edson Packaging Machinery, powered by Pro Mach, has much to celebrate in its 50th year – significant double-digit sales increases since 2010 and becoming a Pro Mach Brand in February 2012.
“While other companies were falling victim to the economic crisis, Edson achieved rapid growth because of our strong customer relationships, experienced employees, valued partners, and state-of-the-art system solutions,” said Gary Evans, vice president and general manager, Edson. “With growth came challenges, namely how to successfully become a larger company while not losing sight of what made us special. That is why becoming a Pro Mach brand is important to our next 50 years.”
Pro Mach is one of the largest integrated packaging companies in North America. Pro Mach supports its nearly 20 brands with best practices in operations, finance, sales, marketing, customer service and support, and ensures product and system integration synergies between the brands. Pro Mach maintains an entrepreneurial family spirit through general managers who for the most part have strong affiliations and histories with the brand.
“Being part of Pro Mach is a win-win for our customers and team,” said Evans, who’s been with Edson 15 years. “As part of the Pro Mach family we will be able to provide our customers with a more integrated product line across Pro Mach’s end-of-line packaging operation. We have an outstanding opportunity to create synergies with other Pro Mach brands that benefit our customers.”
To commemorate its 50th anniversary Edson held an employee and partner celebration during which southwestern provincial and federal members of parliament recognized many of the company’s achievements. Though business practices have changed throughout the history of the company, Edson’s robust system solutions and drive to be an effective manufacturer remained constant. That led the company to adopt LEAN Manufacturing practices. Edson is a recognized leader in supplying case packaging machinery to the tissue industry. Other key industries served include food, pharmaceutical, and household goods. Edson’s first machines were built for a local confectionary company, and because of superior customer care the company continues to support aftermarket maintenance for each machine, still in operation today.
Edson has exciting developments for the future, including new innovations and the presence of end-of-line (EOL) system integrations powered by the Pro Mach brands. Aligning with innovative partners to co-develop solutions that are customer focused and custom designed will help keep Edson competitive for the next 50 years. In 2008 Edson aligned itself with best in class technology partner Festo, the German automation powerhouse. This collaboration led to the development of Edson’s groundbreaking Servo Adjust™ option, a solution that ensures fast changeover and minimized operator involvement.
“We will continue to develop relationships with technology partners because it’s in the best interest of our customers,” said Bob Krouse, engineering and operations manager. “Providing continued in-house R&D along with technology upgrades provides our customers with not only robust and reliable solutions, but also intelligent equipment that requires less operator monitoring. This is the future of packaging automation.”
Visit Edson’s Booth #760 in the South Hall at Pack Expo to experience Edson’s capabilities at first hand and to see a fully integrated state-of-the-art end-of-line packaging system. For more information call Edson at 905-385-3201 and visit www.Edson.com.
