Ryder System has announced it will expand its food packaging and distribution capabilities with enhancements to its 327,000-sq.-ft- center in Beaver Dam, WI. The Beaver Dam Logistics Center (BDLC) serves food manufacturers with distribution, packaging, and production capabilities for a wide array of frozen and refrigerated foods.
The facility was recently expanded with a 15,000-sq.-ft., temperature-controlled addition that has been equipped to package refrigerated and frozen foods, vegetables, fruits, and meats. Ryder also added a state-of-the-art packaging line with seven-station blending capability that includes high-speed robotic palletizing and automatic and semi-automatic cartoning.
The facility is now 342,000 sq. ft. and includes the ability to quickly add lines to meet increasing volumes, Ryder said.
“Increased consumer demand for frozen and refrigerated foods in convenient formats is driving food manufacturers to look for unique and cost-effective ways to better manage how they process, package and distribute their products,” said Darin Cooprider, vice president of consumer packaged goods, Ryder Supply Chain Solutions. “With this large, multi-client facility, our customers can take advantage of the investments Ryder has already made in the technology, equipment, and processing capabilities, while also enjoying the flexibility of a space that can be adjusted to meet their changing needs.”
Capabilities of the facility include vertical form-fill seal for vegetables, fruit, and other foods; blending and mixing; individual quick freeze (IQF); vegetable processing, including cleaning, cutting, inspection, and sorting; and high-speed robotic palletizing. Packaging formats include zipper top, pillow pack, steamer, and upright (doyen) bags.
The BDLC processes approximately 75 million lbs. of goods per year and features 40 shipping doors and three rail doors.
“Ryder offers primary and secondary packaging facilities in many U.S. markets,” added Cooprider. “With our logistics footprint across North America, our full suite of capabilities and our focus on excellence in execution, Ryder is well suited to provide both a turnkey solution that handles the entire food packaging and distribution process for our customers, as well as a solution adapted to meet specific customer needs, such as supplemental capacity during peak seasons.”
Ryder Supply Chain Solutions is a business segment of Ryder System, Inc.
