Former Associates

We see this on the floor constantly.

Processors assume an aging line means a full rebuild, but a few strategic upgrades, especially around maintenance and automation, can extend a machine's life for years. Good breakdown from The National Provisioner on how to approach it in phases.

Modernizing a protein plant does not always require a full rebuild.

This article examines how processors can use phased equipment upgrades, utility improvements, digital monitoring and targeted automation to address labor constraints, aging infrastructure, food safety requirements and production bottlenecks.

Read more: https://brnw.ch/21x4FZt



Photo credit: Getty Images / mladenbalinovac

Your machine came in worn. It left like new.

Former's factory rebuild program takes your forming equipment back to our facility and restores it to like-new condition, including PLC and servo upgrades when needed.

With 200+ machines built over 20 years, our team knows these machines inside and out because they built them.

"From parts ordering to technical support to actual PMs, Former has always been my 'go-to.' I have dealt with other companies, but they do not rise to the level of support Former provides my business."

Ready to talk about a rebuild? Contact your Former Sales Partner or call (708) 579-3700.

From grind to package: three brands, one production line.

Former Associates. Hollymatic®. Rollstock™. Each brand is engineered for its part of the process, but designed to work together as a complete solution.

End-to-end processing power, all under one roof. Want to see how the systems integrate into your operation? Get in touch.

Tighter forming tolerances pay off in three places: product quality, throughput, and your bottom line. Equipment design, tooling maintenance, and operator training all factor in.

→ Swipe to see how we reduce waste and improve yields and help your bottom line.

Engineered to perform. Built to last.

Less searching. More running.

Our Parts & Tooling Carts keep what your line needs exactly where it needs to be—durable, mobile, and built to handle the floor.

Cut downtime. Keep the line moving.

Sanitary design is something we think about in every machine we build. Glad to see it getting this level of attention across the industry.

Food safety risks in meat and poultry processing rarely stem from a single failure.

In The National Provisioner’s Food Safety Report 2026, our Group Editor Sammy Bredar examines how environmental monitoring, sanitation verification, supplier documentation and sanitary equipment design work together to support prevention, traceability and continuous improvement.

Read the full report: https://brnw.ch/21x46uJ


Photo credit: rez-art/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Mid-summer PM check: are you ahead of downtime, or chasing it?

Peak grilling season is no time to lose a shift to preventable wear. Our PM Kits ship with everything your team needs to keep your line running through July, August, and the holiday push right after.

Plan ahead. Protect uptime. Order today!

Meet the FA-27 Cuber & Perforator: built for the moments where precision matters most.

Consistent cuts. Cleaner perforations. Less rework. Engineered for the kind of throughput grilling season demands, and reliable enough for the 11 months that aren't.

Specs that scale, and service that doesn't quit.

Made in America. Built for grilling season.

July marks the start of National Grilling Month, and for meat processors, that means production lines running hotter and faster than at any other time of year.

Our patty formers, cubers, and conveyors are engineered right here in the USA, built to handle peak demand without skipping a beat.

Strong foundations. Stronger summers.