We recently interviewed Mark Sandel, Procurement Engineer at the Ferrara Candy Company in Winona, Minnesota about their use of the same M60STD Vertical Baler for the past 22 years. The Ferrara Candy Company makes delicious candy and treats such as Brach’s, Trolli, and Lemonheads.
Can you describe how Ferrara Candy Company is using the M60STD Vertical Baler?
We use the M60STD to bale cardboard boxes and other corrugated cardboard that is not used for the finished product in our facility. Multiple departments use bins to temporarily store the corrugated cardboard and when it’s full a team member will take it to the machine to empty and crush the waste cardboard. Our facility generates approximately one or two bales a week.
How has the baler adapted to your needs over the years?
Our output has increased greatly over the past seven years. Today, we process twice-in-one-week as what we used to do in just one month. The waste generated has also increased greatly. The M60STD vertical baler has been an asset in keeping the plant clean and organized. The baler allows us to contain the cardboard waste and easily store and load the bales when the recycler comes to pick them up about once a month.
How important is baler reliability at your company?
Reliability is very important. Downtime has a major impact on us and repair costs are always a budgetary concern. I can confidently say that the M60STD has been a work horse as a machine. With only one major part failure in twenty-two years and that only happened due to an error from one of our inexperienced team members. The operation cost of this machine for the past twenty-two years is truly an insignificant consideration. The machine is has been trouble free.
What are the most important factors you look for when buying equipment?
One of the most important considerations when procuring for our company is NOT the cost. Service is the most important consideration. No machine will last forever and downtime will occur. The amount of downtime is a major consideration. Service and parts availability are part of the equation that determine quality. When we purchase products made in the USA we do not have to question the level of service and quality. We know what is expected and will perform at world class levels because we know what is at stake. We believe in purchasing locally when we can, simply because it is more convenient if we should need service. Harmony Enterprises’ level of quality and service is without question “world class”.
What advice would you give to others who are looking to buy a baler?
Focus on consolidation of waste products keeps the work environment clean and safe. The M60STD vertical baler will do just that at a very affordable cost/time ratio.
We would like to thank Mark Sandel and Ferrara Candy Company for sharing this story with us! We love to hear about our products that are still running strong year, after year.
