A specialist UK manufacturer of automated potato packaging and palletising solutions is targeting the United States as it prepares for growth in 2024.

PACE Mechanical Handling has announced plans to establish a dealer network in the USA as it seeks to work with more overseas potato packers and growers.

Established in 1996, PACE has undertaken more than 250 installations in the UK, and its end-of-line solutions are relied upon by some of the UK’s largest potato packers.

The company has been represented by HS Automation in Canada since 2019, leading to the completion of four projects in the country.

“In the UK, our end-of-line solutions are found in a wide range of industries, from fresh produce and food processing to aggregates and animal feed bagging, but our strongest market is definitely the potato industry,” says Nick Cesare, Director. “Our automated solutions enable companies to do more with less, overcome labour shortages and pack their produce quickly and efficiently. With a market-leading position established in the UK, we’re now keen to grow our presence overseas and see the US as a real opportunity.

“I have family in California, and from what they tell me, companies in the United States face similar issues to those in the UK. As we have a strong track record of helping UK potato packers reduce their end-of-line costs and increase their productivity, I’m confident we can do the same for American companies.”

PACE already has a strong international presence, having a close working relationship with Motoman Robots in Japan and the Innova Group and TMI in Spain.

PACE complements Motorman, Innova and TMI’s solutions with its own bespoke machines, which include the Gemini twin head weigher, Orion Weigher, Orion Weigher and sack placer and the CBC sack placer and stitcher line.