See new packaging innovations in one convenient place at PACK EXPO East
Get up to speed on the latest innovations in packaging and processing at PACK EXPO East, March 18 ā€“ 20 in Philadelphia. Donā€™t miss out!

Somic Equipment Installed at Food Processing Plant

Two new high-speed Somic wraparound case packers are in the final stages of installation at OH SNAP! Pickling Co.ā€™s Wisconsin facility.

Somic Oh Snap! 2

This content was written and submitted by the supplier. It has only been modified to comply with this publicationā€™s space and style.

The first 424 W3 wraparound case packers for retail ready packaging has begun handling the collating and case packing of almost two million single-serve pouches per week, which company president Ryan M. Downs expects to far exceed by this time next year.

OH SNAP!ā€™s initial foray into the market with stand-up pickle pouches led to impressive results. After more new products were introduced and eagerly accepted, management last year decided to invest in constructing a new manufacturing plant in nearby Little Chute to handle the rapidly growing business.

The nearly 70,000 sq-ft facility began brining product in March, just as the COVID-19 pandemic was starting to spread in the U.S. But demand has remained strong as workers are now producing finished goods and the company is running three shifts around-the-clock, six days a week. Installation of the Somic machines could not be better timed.

ā€œWe first heard about Somic through John Bartmann, our corrugated supplier sales representative at PCA. He introduced us to Peter Fox (the companyā€™s Senior Vice President of Sales) in 2016,ā€ recalled Downs. ā€œI remember thinking that if the OH SNAP! line ever did the volume to support the purchase of a Somic machine, we would have really created something special. Weā€™ll soon be purchasing our third.ā€

Downs said a presentation by Fox convinced company management to invest in the end-of-line machines.

ā€œBefore purchasing our Somic machines, we looked at two or three other solutions to be sure nothing was missed. None was as compelling as the Somic offering. We loved the simplicity of its design, its compact nature, and the references we received could not have been more glowing. We also learned through our references that start-up would be very quick, and it indeed it has been.ā€

The Somic 424 W3 wraparound case packers are flexible, high performance systems that use decentralized servo drives. To satisfy distribution to retailers such as grocery, big box and C-stores ā€“ plus vending and hospitality outlets ā€“ throughout North America, and widening the channel to include Europe, OH SNAP! plans to have the machines collate and case pack up to 160 pouches per minute. Product is being divided into three formats of 6, 12 or 18 count display cartons.

Proving that timing and execution is everything, both machines will be online beginning July 10.

ā€œAt this time, we will be producing between 1.5 to 2 million pouches per week,ā€ stated Downs. ā€œWe are already planning an additional 40,000 square-feet to our facility to accommodate growth of the brand. By the time it is completed next summer, I expect us to far exceed what we are currently producing.ā€

Fill out the form below to request more information about Somic Equipment Installed at Food Processing Plant
How Can You Honor a Leader?
Induction into the Packaging & Processing Hall of Fame is the highest honor in our industry. Submit your leader to be considered for the Class of 2024 now through June 10th. New members will be inducted at PACK EXPO International in Chicago
Read More
How Can You Honor a Leader?
Discover Our Content Hub
Access Packaging World's free educational content library!
Read More
Discover Our Content Hub