Ryder System Inc (NYSE: R) has expanded its food packaging and distribution capability by investing in significant enhancements to its 327,000-square-foot food packaging and distribution center in Beaver Dam WI.
The Beaver Dam Logistics Center (BDLC) serves food manufacturers with distribution, packaging, and production capabilities for an array of frozen and refrigerated foods. The facility, which offers a low-temperature environment (–10° to 45° F), was recently expanded with a 15,000-sq-ft, temperature-controlled addition equipped to package refrigerated and frozen foods, vegetables, fruits, and meats.
Ryder also added a packaging line with seven-station blending capability that includes high-speed robotic palletizing and automatic and semi-automatic cartoning. With a total expanded space of 342,000 square feet and the new technology, the BDLC can add lines quickly and easily meet increased volume requirements as well as provide packaging for a greater variety of products, packaging sizes, and blends.
Darin Cooprider, vice-president of consumer packaged goods, Ryder Supply Chain Solutions, said, “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.”
Overall capabilities at the BDLC 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 about 75 million pounds of goods per year and features 40 shipping doors and three rail doors. It has a “Superior Rating” from AIB International and is Safe Quality Food (SQF)-certified.
Ryder Supply Chain Solutions is a business segment of Ryder System Inc. The SCS network includes more than 28 million square feet of warehouse space and more than 230 warehouses in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Singapore, and Europe.
For more information, visit www.ryder.com.
