What started as an acquisition with only four employees, Spee-Dee Packaging Machinery is now a growing company with a team of 95 associates. The second-generation, family-owned company is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
Spee-Dee was founded in 1981 when Jim Navin acquired the Spee-Dee product line from Franklin Electric Co. By 1989, he had grown the Spee-Dee cup filler business and entered into the auger filler market with another acquisition. The company transitioned to servo motors and PLC controls in the 90s, and began using Electro Magnetic Force Restoration (EMFR) weighing technology to develop its checkweighers in the 2000s. After the purchase of its current 48,000-square-foot facility, Spee-Dee expanded its research and engineering department. This led to new innovations such as: high-speed rotary filler, vacuum tooling for dust-free fills and hygienic design standards that meet strict regulations, including the 3A sanitary auger for dry milk, infant formula, and other applications that require meticulous sanitary standards.