Masters Gallery Foods, a leading Wisconsin-based cheese packager and distributor, is set to add its fourth automated SOMIC Packaging machine as part of an ongoing effort to meet growing customer demand. The company, which has been in business for over 51 years, recently expanded its operations by transitioning from hand-packing to an automated packaging system.
The new addition will be a slice line designed to keep up with increasing orders from existing customers and the rising demand for sliced cheese in retail and foodservice sectors. This expansion follows a successful visit to SOMIC Packaging’s headquarters in Amerang, Germany, where representatives from Masters Gallery Foods participated in FAT (Factory Acceptance Testing) for the new machine.
Jeff Gentine, President and CEO of Masters Gallery Foods, emphasized the need for growth to meet consumer demand: “As our customer base continues to grow and consumption rises, we expect to be marketing over one billion pounds of cheese within the next two years, with sales surpassing $2 billion,” Gentine said.
A Legacy of Innovation
Both Masters Gallery Foods and SOMIC Packaging were founded in 1974 and celebrated their 50th anniversaries in 2023. The two companies are separated by 300 miles, with SOMIC’s headquarters located near Minneapolis, and Masters Gallery’s facilities in Plymouth and Oostburg, Wisconsin.
The timing of the new machine installation is crucial, as Masters Gallery Foods operates around the clock to fulfill orders from a diverse customer base, including national grocery chains, wholesalers, restaurants, and distributors.
The company first implemented automated packaging in October 2022 when they installed their initial SOMIC machine. This move followed years of reliance on manual packing, and came after Packaging Development Manager TJ Lenz saw the machine at PACK Expo in Chicago. Lenz noted his interest in SOMIC’s equipment and stayed in touch with the company, discussing future upgrades and innovations.
In 2023, a second SOMIC machine was installed in Plymouth for the same product line, and a third machine was added to a cracker cut line in Oostburg six months later.
Meeting Increased Demand with Advanced Technology
Lenz recalled the need for a high-speed case packing solution for chunk cheese products, and highlighted how the SOMIC wraparound system proved to be more efficient and accurate than the robotic pick-and-place solutions they had used before.
The new machine, part of SOMIC’s signature 424 series, will soon be installed in Oostburg after passing final inspections and FAT testing in June. Lenz expressed satisfaction with the process: “The FAT was completely successful, and we are very happy with the machine. The SOMIC team was professional and thorough, accommodating all our requests and providing transparent support throughout,” he said.
The installation is expected to begin in mid-July, marking another key milestone in Masters Gallery Foods’ expansion and commitment to meeting the growing demand for high-quality cheese products.
