Throughout their 51-year history, Masters Galley Foods has demonstrated impressive stages of growth and expansion. In 2023, the cheese packager and distributor added a new off-take partner shortly after switching from hand-packing product to an automated system. 

Founded in 1974, Masters Gallery Foods is a family-owned company focused on cheese packing and distribution, employing over 1,300 people across its three facilities in Plymouth and Oostburg, Wisconsin, and in Willows, California. The company specializes in shredded, chunked, sliced and snack cheeses for private brand retail and food service customers, as well as wholesale distributors throughout the United States.

To meet the demand, the Wisconsin-based company will soon add a new slice line to the packaging operation and install their fourth automated SOMIC Packaging, Inc. machine. Several representatives visited SOMIC’s corporate headquarters in Amerang, Germany, earlier this month when FAT machine testing was completed.

“The new slice line is needed to keep pace with the organic growth of our existing customers, and the overall strong demand for slices in both retail and food service packs,” said Jeff Gentine, Master Gallery Food’s second-generation president and CEO. “As customer growth and consumption continues to rise, within the next two years we expect to be marketing over 1 billion pounds of cheese with sales reaching over $2 billion.”

Masters Gallery Foods and SOMIC share something else in common: both companies were established in 1974, and celebrated their golden anniversaries last year. A distance of 300 miles separates SOMIC Packaging’s new corporate headquarters in suburban Minneapolis from Master Gallery Foods’ manufacturing facilities north of Milwaukee.

Timing of the new machine installation could not be better. Masters Gallery Foods is running non-stop 24/7 to fulfill orders for a customer base of national grocery chains, wholesalers, restaurants and distributors with a full line of cheese and cheese-related products.

Like the others, the newest SOMIC installation is from the signature 424 series. The tray and cover machine will soon reside on the manufacturing floor in Oostburg after final inspections and FAT testing.

“The FAT was completely successful and we are very happy with our machine. The entire SOMIC team was extremely prepared and thorough,” said Packaging Development Manager, TJ Lenz, who expects installation of the machine to begin in mid-July. “All of the formats we requested were run, as well as a few others we requested to see at the last minute. They were very accommodating, transparent and professional to all our requests and questions.”

About SOMIC Packaging, Inc.
With more than 50 years of experience, Minnesota-based SOMIC Packaging, Inc. offers design support for cartons, retail-ready and wraparound cases. Many international packaging brands use SOMIC’s advanced mechatronic systems to collate, group, and pack open trays, wraparound cases, trays with covers or lid inserts, and paperboard cartons. The Parts & Service department is responsible for all equipment installations, training and more.