93-Year-Old Potato Chip Producer Turns to Vanmark to Upgrade Its Bulk Storage Bin System
At its factory, Backer’s Potato Chip Company processes 3.17 tons of potato chips every hour. The business had several difficulties meeting the demand for its products. Its bulk bin system was rapidly falling apart after decades of use. Production delays were a result of the regular downtime that Backer’s encountered when repairs needed to be done.
In the meantime, the procedure of unloading potatoes was rigid and slow.
Backer’s contacted Vanmark in search of an equipment upgrade to deal with the problems they were having, including downtime from maintenance and an ineffective unloading procedure.
“The Backer’s team visited Vanmark’s Creston, Iowa, facility to see the Bulk Storage Bin System equipment. After witnessing the system in action, they placed an order for it and supporting conveyors,” according to a recent case study.
Potatoes are delivered to Vanmark’s Bulk Storage Bin System, where they are kept until they are ready for processing. A six-bin system was used by Backers to facilitate production. The modular nature of the design permits the bins to share internal walls.
The system is built for flexibility, durability, and gentle product handling. Its design offers multiple discharge points, allowing Backer’s to discharge product to either of their two flume systems and processing lines, instead of only having the choice of one or the other. Its surrounding catwalk improves accessibility.
During the design process, Backer’s told Vanmark they’d encountered challenges with their conveyors’ durability at “drop points,” as they’d wear out and break over time. To help prevent similar issues from arising with the new equipment, Vanmark’s engineers designed heavy-duty framing for those areas to reduce wear and tear.
Vanmark’s sister company, PFI, installed the system. PFI’s turnkey equipment and service were attractive and less costly than working with independent contractors.
Pleased with the results provided by their new system, Backer’s no longer has to worry about making repairs to outdated equipment, and the speed of their unloading process has increased dramatically.
The time saved has allowed Backer’s to focus more time and attention on growing its business.
Backer’s has a decades-long history with Vanmark and many legacy machines in its facility. The potato chip producer selected Vanmark to fulfill this need because of the durable operation of its existing equipment and the support the company has received over the years.
The service before, during, and after purchasing equipment from Vanmark is one of the elements that makes the company stand out from the competition. Backer’s values its long relationship with Vanmark, and the two look forward to working together as Backer’s continues to grow.
Backer’s Potato Chip Company is a family business started in 1931 by Grandma and Grandpa Backer on the bank of Hillers Creek in Callaway County, Missouri. They started before electricity existed, peeling and slicing potatoes by hand and cooking them in a 16-inch donut kettle, a few pounds at a time.
Now in its 93rd year and run by the second and third generations of the Backer family, the company ships chips across the U.S. and into Canada and Mexico. Backer’s produces several types of branded and private-label potato chips.
Backer’s chips are gluten-free, vegan, and made with all-natural, high-quality ingredients like fresh sunflower oil.
