Lakeside Foods, Inc., Manitowoc, Wis., transitioned its frozen vegetable packaging processes to new automated production lines following the completion of a 100,000-square-foot addition to the company’s packaging center in Manitowoc.

The automated lines utilize state-of-the-art robotics equipment for a wide variety of bag options, including stand-up and bag-in-bag for retail and foodservice customers.

The new production room features hygienic design, a positive air pressure HVAC system to reduce dust and humidity and optimized workflow to reduce foot traffic and improve cleanability. All workers and visitors enter the production area through a hygiene junction following prescribed sanitation procedures to help ensure cleanliness.

The building expansion also included five new shipping docks to expedite outbound deliveries and additional frozen storage space with a modern pallet racking system to maximize product capacity.

The $40 million project was part of a strategic growth plan that began in 2017 to modernize the company’s production facilities, increase product innovation in frozen foods and expand the company’s product portfolio.