RICHMOND, VIRGINIA — AMF Bakery Systems, the global leader in complete, integrated system solutions for the baking industry, announced its acquisition of Kirkwood, PA-based Workhorse Automation, Inc. The acquisition will bring together the two US-based industry leaders for the automation of pan, basket and product handling. The combined portfolio of robotic technologies and engineering expertise will help bakers worldwide build more efficient, productive and fully automated bakeries.
“By joining forces, Workhorse brings technologies and products that fill existing gaps in AMF’s product line, including automated pan storage and retrieval systems as well as warehouse and freezer management systems,” said Jason Ward, president of AMF Bakery Systems. “This is a very exciting opportunity for both companies and we are excited to welcome the Workhorse teammates to the AMF family.”
Colin McShane, founder and president of Workhorse Automation, looks forward to AMF’s role in expanding the Workhouse business, based on the company’s shared values and commitment to customer success.
“I am excited to continue innovating and supporting this business in the years to come as part of the AMF team,” McShane said.
“By joining forces, Workhorse brings technologies and products that fill existing gaps in AMF’s product line, including automated pan storage and retrieval systems as well as warehouse and freezer management systems,” said Jason Ward, president of AMF Bakery Systems.
Moving forward, AMF’s portfolio of pan and lid management systems and post-packaging automation solutions, which entails product loading, basket stacking and unstacking, and basket washing, will go to market as AMF Workhorse. This brand joins the growing family of brands within AMF’s complete portfolio alongside AMF Tromp, AMF Flex, AMF BakeTech, AMF Den Boer and AMF Vesta.
Together, the AMF Workhorse team will manufacture integrated bakery automation solutions from multiple locations, including those in Kirkwood, PA; Richmond, VA; and Sherbrooke, Canada; all under the AMF Workhorse brand.
“The increased production capacity and combined engineering and service teams will allow us to drive product improvement, increase research and development opportunities and strengthen our commitment to best-in-class customer care for our customers around the world,” said David Burke, AMF’S VP of operations for US and Latin America.
