Over its impressive 51-year journey, Masters Gallery Foods has achieved remarkable growth and development. In 2023, the cheese packager and distributor expanded its operations by onboarding a new off-take partner, coinciding with a transition from hand-packing to an automated packaging system.
To accommodate increasing demand, this Wisconsin-based company will soon launch a new slicing line in its packaging operation, alongside the installation of its fourth automated machine from SOMIC Packaging, Inc. Last week, several company representatives visited SOMIC’s headquarters in Amerang, Germany, where they completed Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) for the new equipment.
“The new slice line is essential to keeping pace with our existing customers’ organic growth and the overall robust demand for sliced cheese in both retail and food service sectors,” stated Jeff Gentine, second-generation president and CEO of Masters Gallery Foods.
“As customer growth and consumption continue to rise, we anticipate marketing over one billion pounds of cheese within the next two years, with sales expected to exceed $2 billion.”
A Legacy of Innovation and Achievement
Both Masters Gallery Foods and SOMIC were founded in 1974 and celebrated their golden anniversaries last year. A distance of 300 miles separates SOMIC Packaging’s new corporate headquarters near Minneapolis from Masters Gallery Foods’ manufacturing plants in Plymouth and Oostburg, located to the north of Milwaukee.
The timing for this new machine installation is ideal. Masters Gallery Foods operates around the clock to meet the orders of national grocery chains, wholesalers, restaurants, and distributors, providing a full range of cheese and cheese-related products.
The company installed its first automated packaging machine from SOMIC in October 2022, eight years after Packaging Development Manager TJ Lenz discovered one of their machines at PACK Expo in Chicago. This innovative machine replaced a labor-intensive manual packing operation that had been in use for many years.
“I was intrigued by their equipment, and I maintained contact with SOMIC CEO Peter Fox over the years. We discussed future concepts, and he kept me informed about new installations with other cheese manufacturers,” recalled Lenz, who has dedicated 27 years to Masters Gallery Foods.
A second machine was added for the same product line in Plymouth in 2023, followed by a third unit for a cracker cut line in Oostburg six months later.
“At that time, we needed a high-speed case packing solution for our chunk products,” said Lenz. “The equipment had to tightly collate the products and fit into existing small case dimensions. We found that the SOMIC wraparound solution offered far greater accuracy than the standard robotic pick-and-place methods we had previously used.”
As with the previous installations, the latest SOMIC machine belongs to the signature 424 series. The tray and cover machine will soon operate in Oostburg after successful final inspections and FAT testing conducted on June 1-2.
“The FAT was completely successful, and we are very pleased with our machine. The entire SOMIC team demonstrated exceptional preparation and thoroughness,” said Lenz, who anticipates that installation will commence in mid-July. “All requested formats were run, along with a few additional ones we asked to see at the last minute. They were accommodating, transparent, and professional in addressing all our questions and requests.”
