Case Study: Utz Quality Foods achieves increased throughput and reduced footprint with Honeywell Intelligrated’s vertical reciprocating conveyor

Unique Vertical Reciprocating Conveyor Bakes in Efficiency for Utz

Honeywell Intelligrated USS helped snackmaker UTZ improve operational efficiency at its Hanover, PA chip facility by addressing crowded space and varied carton sizes. UTZ needed a compact, reliable vertical material-handling solution that could feed downstream processes while fitting around existing structural columns and handling cartons from 9–42 inches.

The team supplied eight vertical reciprocating conveyors (VRCs) that move cartons from a 36-inch infeed to a 19.5-foot discharge using a two-zone, zero-pressure accumulation shelf in a Z-style configuration. Bottom-mounted motors and lightweight windows reduce overhead maintenance and improve safety, while the one- or two-package-per-cycle operation boosts throughput, minimizes wear on components, and delivers a steady, seamlessly integrated flow to downstream systems.

Utz Quality Foods