Handtmann Inc Newsletter - Summer 2026

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Over the past several months, we've had the opportunity to connect with customers through facility visits, testing activities, and industry events. Those interactions continue to reinforce the importance of staying closely connected to our customers and understanding how their needs are evolving. The one thing that continues to stand out is the pace of change across our industry. 

 

Product portfolios continue to expand, consumer preferences are changing, and production environments need to remain flexible enough to accommodate new opportunities without sacrificing quality and performance. Whether introducing new products, improving efficiency, scaling production, or maintaining consistency, processors continue to face growing demands.

 

We remain focused on helping our customers navigate these challenges by prioritizing the right people, processes, and technologies to support long-term success. Through continued investment in our facilities, technical expertise, training resources, and partnerships, we are committed to providing practical solutions and meaningful support that extend beyond equipment alone. Our goal remains the same: helping customers achieve reliable, consistent results.

 

As we look ahead to PACK EXPO and other opportunities to connect throughout the remainder of the year, we are excited to continue these conversations and learn more about the challenges and opportunities shaping your business. We value the trust you place in Handtmann and appreciate the partnerships that allow us to grow together.

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to connecting with many of you in the months ahead.

 

Patrick McGady
President

CUSTOMER CARE

PROTECTING PRODUCT QUALITY AS PRODUCTION EVOLVES

As product portfolios continue to expand and production environments become more complex, maintaining product integrity remains a critical priority for food manufacturers.  Meat, bakery, dairy, and pet food processors face increasing pressure to deliver consistent quality while meeting increasing customer expectations and regulatory requirements.

At the same time, processors are looking for practical ways to strengthen quality assurance efforts without adding complexity to their operations. Technologies that help identify potential issues early can reduce risk, increase confidence in finished products, and protect both product quality and brand reputation.

To help support our customers with these efforts, Handtmann recently expanded its offerings through a new partnership with Sesotec. This collaboration provides our customers with access to additional inspection technologies designed to support product integrity and quality assurance initiatives across a wide range of applications. 

STRENGTHEN IN-HOUSE CAPABILITY 

Your team's knowledge and confidence play an important role in maintaining consistent performance. While equipment and technology continue to evolve, investing in the people who operate and maintain those systems remains one of the most effective ways to support long-term success.

Handtmann training programs provide hands-on opportunities for operators, maintenance personnel, and technical teams to strengthen their understanding of equipment, improve troubleshooting skills, and gain practical knowledge that can be applied directly within their operations. Whether supporting day-to-day production, onboarding new team members, or preparing for future growth, training helps build confidence and promote more consistent performance.

 

“Our technicians are more confident and our run time has improved through proper training and maintenance.”

 

Training opportunities are available throughout the year at both our Lake Forest, IL, and Cypress, CA, facilities.

Sign Up for Training Today!
PRODUCTION INSIGHTS

MEETING DEMAND FOR GREATER PRODUCT VARIETY

Protein snacks continue to gain momentum as consumers look for convenient, high-protein options that fit a wide range of lifestyles and eating occasions. What was once a category largely defined by traditional meat sticks has expanded to include new proteins, flavors, formulations, sizes, and formats designed to appeal to a broader audience.

As product offerings continue to grow, processors face increasing pressure to introduce new products while maintaining efficiency and consistency across production. The ability to manage a wider variety of ingredients, recipes, and package formats has become an important consideration as companies look to respond quickly to changing market demands.

This shift is driving renewed focus on production flexibility.  Customers are looking for solutions that can support a diverse product portfolio, accommodate future innovation, and adapt as market opportunities evolve. As consumer preferences continue to change, processors need production solutions that can adapt alongside them while maintaining efficiency, consistency, and product quality.

See Handtmann solutions designed to support flexible protein snack production

FLEXIBILITY IS RESHAPING BAKERY PRODUCTION

Consumer demand for greater variety continues to influence bakery production. From traditional breads and pizza dough to products featuring unique ingredients, new formats, and seasonal offerings, bakeries are under constant pressure to balance innovation with operational efficiency.

As product portfolios expand, manufacturers need the flexibility to introduce new products while maintaining the consistency, quality, and throughput their operations depend on. The challenge isn't just to produce more products, but to adapt to changing market demands without disrupting established production processes.

Many bakeries are also seeing increased demand for shorter production runs, faster product introductions, and greater product differentiation. As a result, flexibility has become an increasingly important consideration when evaluating production equipment and planning for future growth.

Whether supporting established bakery products or the next generation of innovative offerings, bakers continue to look for solutions that help them respond to changing consumer preferences while maintaining efficient, consistent production.

Explore Handtmann bakery solutions and resources
HIGHLIGHTS

TURNING IDEAS INTO ACTION

One of the most valuable parts of working with customers is the opportunity to collaborate directly on real production challenges. Whether through product testing, equipment demonstrations, training programs, or application discussions, these interactions help us better understand production goals and explore practical solutions together.

Throughout the year, customers have continued to visit our Lake Forest, IL, and Cypress, CA, facilities to evaluate new applications, test products, and discuss opportunities for process improvement. These hands-on experiences create meaningful opportunities to exchange ideas, validate concepts, and build greater confidence before moving projects forward.

As production requirements continue to evolve, collaboration remains an important part of the process. We look forward to continuing to work alongside customers as they evaluate new opportunities and prepare for future growth.

LET'S CONNECT AT PACK EXPO 2026

We're looking forward to reconnecting with customers, partners, and industry colleagues at PACK EXPO International this October in Chicago. The show provides a valuable opportunity to catch up in person, discuss current projects, share ideas, and talk through the challenges and opportunities shaping food production today.

 

Whether you're exploring future investments, evaluating new applications, or simply looking to reconnect with the Handtmann team, we invite you to stop by Booth LU-7728.

 

Visit our PACK EXPO page to preview the technologies, applications, and integrated solutions featured at this year's show.

Visit PACK EXPO page
Register for complimentary PACK EXPO exhibit hall access

Where To Find Us

We look forward to connecting with customers throughout the year at industry events. These opportunities allow for continued conversations, shared insights, and time together to explore your production needs. Hope to see you soon.

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