The Power of Strategic Partnerships in Food Production

In the food processing industry, every second counts. With plants running nonstop to keep shelves stocked, even a brief downtime can cause costly delays. A single hour of downtime can ripple through the supply chain, causing delays, increased costs, and lost profits. Efficiency isn’t just important—it’s everything.

But the industry faces growing challenges. Labor shortages make it harder to keep lines running at full capacity. Turnover rates leave gaps in critical roles while growing production demands push existing systems to their limits. Coupled with the constant need to ensure uptime, it’s clear food processing plants can’t afford inefficiency.

This is why it’s important to realize we aren’t alone in this endeavor. For every challenge, a potential strategic partner can make all the difference. Food processors can tackle these challenges head-on by working with innovative companies with shared goals. Let’s see how strategic partnerships can transform food production and help your plant stay ahead of the curve.

THE CURRENT CHALLENGES IN FOOD PROCESSING PLANTS

Food processing plants face a perfect storm of external constraints. Labor shortages are at the top of the list. Finding enough workers to fill shifts has become a constant struggle, and the costs of recruiting and training new employees eat into profits. For many facilities, keeping up with production demands is hard when the team isn’t at full strength.

Meanwhile, the plants are expected to run nonstop. Meeting daily quotas requires continuous operations, but maintenance issues and unexpected downtime can bring everything to a halt. When production stops, so does revenue—and the ripple effects can be costly.

When internal resources are strapped, struggling to retain team members and keep the line running, they can’t proactively look at ways to increase efficiency and overcome bottlenecks. When taking care of the basics is your whole day, going above and beyond becomes much more difficult. Finding a partner who can focus on innovation and strategic growth opportunities is a lifesaver. 

WHY STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS ARE THE SOLUTION

At Fremont Automation, we know innovation doesn’t happen in isolation. Our in-house team is incredible, and we’d gladly put them up against any other machine engineering firm in the country. But of course, we don’t have all the answers.

And we’re good with that.  

Take our one-of-a-kind Saddlepack Taper, for example. Our internal team designed and built this innovative automation solution for one of the biggest bottlenecks in food production. We knew the equipment had to be efficient, reliable, and easy to operate. Our first unit was just that. 

But we knew we couldn’t just sit on success and pat each other on the back. As we installed the equipment and helped customers integrate it into their lines, we saw opportunities for refinement.  Jacob Benes, our lead Automation Designer, saw ways our next-generation taper could deliver even more value to customers, and the team set out to create partnerships that would push the solution forward. 

A Powerful Strategic Partnership With LinMot Delivered Customer Value

Jacob thought LinMot linear motors could be a game-changer for our Saddlepack Taper, and he was right. By replacing traditional components with their advanced linear motors, we’ve slashed the number of moving parts in our machines by 60. Fewer parts mean less maintenance, lower chances of breakdowns, and more time focused on production.

In food processing, water resistance is non-negotiable. LinMot motors are designed to meet IP69k standards, making them rated for resistance to the highest level of washdown criteria. Even in the most demanding environments, they keep our machines running smoothly without compromising hygiene or performance.

Custom Stainless Enclosure’s Strategic Partnership Benefit

To further improve the Saddlepack Taper’s convenience and maintenance, we turned to Custom Stainless Enclosure for our electrical and mounting needs. Like LinMot, Custom Stainless Enclosures’ range of enclosure solutions is designed to meet IP69k standards, making them fully washdown-proof. The unique seal design prevents water from getting into the electrical enclosure, giving the Saddlepack Taper efficacy that outpaces the standard lifetime of 18 – 36 months for food processing equipment. 

“When we wanted to extend the longevity of our Saddlepack Taper, the team at Custom Stainless Enclosures was our first call,” says Amanda Benes, CEO of Fremont Automation. This familiarity and confidence isn’t a lucky occurrence; it’s the product of trust built over a long period of strategic partnerships. 

BUILDING AND MAINTAINING TRUST THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS

Our partnerships create a feedback loop of innovation. We deliver smarter, more efficient designs by listening to customer needs and collaborating with trusted partners. Customers share their pain points and specific needs, and partners provide cutting-edge tools to address them. From gathering physical samples to testing new components in real-world conditions, these partnerships allow us to deliver better customer results every time.

The Importance of Underpromising and Overdelivering

Trust is earned through action, not words. That’s why we live by the principle of underpromising and overdelivering. We set clear, realistic expectations and then go above and beyond to exceed them.

“We don’t take shortcuts,” says Jacob Benes. “We believe in building a machine that answers our customers’ unique challenges rather than forcing our solution into their problems.” 

“It’s just the right thing to do,” adds Amanda Benes. 

One way we do this is through our post-installation support. The same people who invent, design, and manufacture your custom automation equipment are the same team that provides after-installation support. Our team doesn’t just build your machine and walk away. We’re there with you step after step, ensuring the equipment runs smoothly and addressing concerns. When you talk with Fremont Automation’s support line, you talk to the experts who built the equipment.

We build long-term partnerships with our customers by providing consistent, high-quality support. At Fremont Automation, trust isn’t just a value—it’s why our customers keep returning.

The Power of the Partnership

So, what do these partnerships mean for you? First, it means more uptime. LinMot’s linear motors reduced wear and tear on the machine, so equipment runs reliably day in and day out. This smoothed-out operation means you can meet production demands without missing a beat.

And let’s talk about the bottom line. Reduced downtime, simplified maintenance, and longer lifespan add significant cost savings. With Fremont Automation and our trusted partners like LinMot and Custom Steel Enclosures, you’re not just investing in machines but in the future of your plant’s success.

Customer Success is Our Success

The impact of the Saddlepack Taper is undeniable. One of our customers, a high-volume food processor, reported a significant drop in maintenance costs after switching to this system. Downtime due to equipment failure was slashed by 40%, allowing them to meet production targets with fewer interruptions.

Another client shared how the intuitive HMI allowed their general maintenance crew to troubleshoot and resolve issues without specialized training. This saved time and reduced reliance on external technicians, cutting costs further.

These success stories highlight what distinguishes Fremont Automation: reliable machines, innovative design, and solutions that deliver measurable results. With the Saddlepack Taper, we’re not just helping plants operate—we’re helping them thrive.

HOW CAN WE PARTNER WITH YOU?

Strategic partnerships, like Fremont Automation’s collaboration with LinMot, are key to overcoming production challenges. These partnerships drive the development of more intelligent machines that minimize downtime, simplify maintenance, and help plants confidently meet growing demands.

At Fremont Automation, our vision is clear: we’re committed to addressing the toughest challenges in food processing. By continuing to expand our partnerships and embrace cutting-edge technology, we aim to deliver industry-leading solutions that keep production lines running smoothly and efficiently.

Don’t let inefficiency hold your plant back. Partner with Fremont Automation to achieve smarter, faster, and more reliable production. Contact us today to learn more about our innovative systems.