Doubling capacity and raising standards: how LifeLine Foods modernized corn milling with Premier Tech

Lifeline Foods

24/7

continuous operation

14 bags/min

packaging speed (doubled)

1M+ lbs/day

food ingredients shipped daily

Lifeline Foods, a producer-owned cooperative founded in 2001 in St. Joseph, Missouri, is a leader in corn milling and sustainable food ingredient production. With 600+ farmer-owners and operations running 24/7, the company combines tradition and innovation to ship over a million pounds of food ingredients daily across North America. As production demands grew and old equipment jeopardized efficiency, quality, and ergonomics, Lifeline Foods partnered with Premier Tech to transform its packaging lines, unlocking new levels of safety, consistency, and productivity.

Logo LifeLine Foods

Challenges

  • 24/7 production with three different outdated lines
  • Wide mix of bag sizes, types, and products
  • Equipment posed efficiency, accuracy, and safety risks
  • Poor pallet quality and stackability turned away customers
  • Needed experienced packaging partner with a track record in sanitation and food safety

Solutions

Story

Lifeline Foods has thrived for nearly 25 years by putting people, community, and innovation at the core of everything they do. But facing an evolving market and increased production, the team realized that running three outdated, varied packaging lines was no longer sustainable. Quality, safety, and ergonomics were slipping, and ugly, unstable pallets were making it harder to attract and keep customers.

Premier Tech delivered a full automation upgrade: the OML-1170-N (formerly PTK-1700) open mouth bagger, RPL-4111-N (formerly AR-225) robotic palletizer, and a LSH-1100 stretch hooder pallet wrapper. The results were immediate and remarkable. Packaging speed doubled from 7 to 14 bags per minute, safety and operator ergonomics improved dramatically, and every pallet shipped is now perfectly square and stackable, maximizing valuable floor space.

Premier Tech’s extensive training empowered Lifeline’s team, raising skill levels and morale. The partnership brought open communication and fast ROI, while food safety and dust control standards rose to new heights. Team members now say they’d never want to go back; their work is easier, safer, and more rewarding. With these automation gains, LifeLine Foods is truly ready to celebrate the next 25 years, confident in their ability to deliver quality and value, every single day.

“There are a lot of manufacturers out there who will just make something to sell it, then wish you good luck and walk away. I never got that feeling from Premier Tech.”

Tim HaleMaintenance Reliability Projects Manager

“It’s been one of the best experiences I’ve had for any project—construction, project management, anything. This was the fastest project I’ve ever turned around.”

Casey HousmanOperations Manager

Ready to transform your operations?

Discover how Premier Tech can optimize your processes—request your custom quote today.