Skyrocketing ingredient prices, stricter government sanitation regulations, growing consumer demand for whole-grain baked goods and a host of other factors are prompting some bakers to take a hard look at their current equipment and decide to invest in new machinery. They realize that by replacing—rather than continuously repairing—essential machinery, reduce operating expenses and waste, increase production and expand or add popular product lines, making them more competitive and boosting their bottom lines.
“There are always customers that make due,” says Lance Aasness, vice president, sales and marketing, Hinds-Bock Corp., Bothell, Wash. “Others are taking advantage of the ‘new economy,’ and investing in higher-speed equipment to increase their market share. Our customers that feed the retail markets seem to all be busy.”