Aagard blog

Press Release: Aagard Launches Aagard Funding Solutions to Support Customer Investment in Secondary Packaging | Aagard

Aagard — Mon, 18 May 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Aagard, known for pioneering cutting-edge packaging automation equipment, has launched Aagard Funding Solutions, a turnkey solution that removes the upfront financial barrier by spreading the total project costs into manageable monthly payments.

Rooted in Aagard’s dedication to quality and innovation, Aagard Funding Solutions helps customers manage project costs through flexible, customized payment plans. This financing approach enables organizations to invest in palletizers, cartoners, sleevers, or even integrated solutions—without large upfront expenses or project delays.

“I used to assume financing was not a priority for most Aagard customers because many are strong, well-capitalized companies. That perspective has changed,” said Jason Norlien, Vice President of Sales at Aagard. “With the rising cost of capital and the need to stay flexible in a changing market, companies of all sizes are looking for smarter ways to invest. Aagard Funding Solutions helps customers move forward with automation while preserving capital for other strategic needs.”

Program Highlights:

Choose from a variety of payment terms aligned with your organizational needs
Achieve simplified budgeting by bundling system and service costs into a predictable cost
Maintain liquidity to reinvest in other strategic initiatives or facility upgrades
Benefit from a dedicated Project Manager providing end-to-end service on your project funding

The timing for this program launch couldn’t be better. As organizations seek to more efficiently invest in the latest equipment, Aagard Funding Solutions is stepping in to reinforce its commitment to supporting customer growth and alignment.

About Aagard

Aagard specializes in purpose-built packaging automation systems, working alongside customers to deliver innovative, turnkey solutions. Based in Alexandria, Aagard is committed to building partnerships, promoting community well-being, and delivering excellence through collaboration and innovation.

For more information about Aagard, please contact:

Mandi Carlberg

Marketing Manager

Aagard

320.763.6043

mkcarlberg@aagard.com

Bridging the Skills Gap: Why User-Friendly Tech Is Becoming Essential in Packaging Automation | Aagard

Aagard — Thu, 14 May 2026 05:00:00 GMT

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Automation is getting more advanced—but here’s the twist: it’s also getting easier to use. And that’s not an accident. It’s a necessity.

As experienced mechanics retire and new operators step in with less hands-on background (and higher expectations for intuitive technology), packaging machines have to work with people, not against them.

The real innovation isn’t just faster speeds. It’s the shift toward operator-friendly, user-centered technology that helps teams get more done with less stress—without needing 20 years of experience to keep a line running.

Why Workforce-Friendly Technology Matters

The skills gap is real—and growing

Packaging teams are feeling the impact of a changing workforce. As seasoned experts retire, they take years of hands-on troubleshooting knowledge with them. That kind of experience isn’t easily replaced.

New operators bring fresh perspective and energy, but they shouldn’t be expected to learn everything the hard way. That’s where modern automation steps in—not to replace skill, but to support it.

Today’s equipment helps bridge that gap by:

Guiding operators through processes instead of relying on memory
Simplifying adjustments that once required deep mechanical knowledge
Reducing opportunities for error through smarter design
Making the learning curve less intimidating for new team members

Workers expect intuitive tools

The modern workforce is used to technology that just makes sense. If a smartphone app is easy to navigate, industrial equipment should be too.

That expectation is reshaping packaging automation. Machines are no longer judged only on performance—they’re judged on usability.

The most effective systems prioritize:

Touchscreen interfaces that feel familiar and responsive
Clear visuals that eliminate guesswork
Step-by-step guidance for setup, changeovers, and troubleshooting
Visual fault indicators that point directly to the issue
Multi-language support that reflects diverse teams

Because even the most advanced technology falls short if operators struggle to use it confidently.

Safety and ergonomics can’t be an afterthought

For a long time, productivity and physical strain were seen as trade-offs. That’s no longer acceptable.

Operators shouldn’t have to wrestle with heavy change parts, reach into tight or awkward spaces, or work around excessive heat and noise just to keep production moving.

Modern machine design is shifting that reality by focusing on the operator’s day-to-day experience—reducing strain, improving access, and creating safer, more comfortable environments.

Training has to keep up with reality

In today’s environment, teams are constantly evolving. Turnover happens. Roles shift. Production demands change daily.

Training can’t be a one-time event—it has to be continuous, accessible, and easy to revisit.

Smart equipment supports this by embedding knowledge directly into the machine, giving operators confidence even when they’re stepping into unfamiliar roles.

How Modern Packaging Equipment Supports Today’s Workforce

Interfaces that actually help

The best HMIs no longer feel like engineering consoles—they feel like intuitive applications. Instead of forcing operators to interpret complex data, they guide them through decisions.

Effective systems typically include:

Visual animations that show exactly what the machine is doing
Plain-language error messages that remove ambiguity
Built-in training videos that reinforce learning on demand
Interactive troubleshooting paths that lead operators step-by-step
Real machine imagery that shows precisely where to look

Faster, simpler changeovers

Changeovers used to be one of the most stressful parts of running a line—time-consuming, manual, and prone to mistakes.

That’s changing with designs that reduce both effort and risk. Instead of relying on tools and guesswork, operators can follow guided processes that are faster and more repeatable.

In practice, that often means:

Quick-release mechanisms replacing traditional fasteners
Color-coded components that eliminate confusion
Servo-driven adjustments that remove manual fine-tuning
Recipe-based settings that standardize repeat runs

What once took 20 minutes of careful adjustment can now become a short, guided process measured in minutes.

Designing machines people can move through—not around

One of the simplest but most impactful shifts in machine design is accessibility.

Rather than forcing operators to walk the length of a long line multiple times a shift, modern equipment is increasingly built with walk-through frames.

That change improves daily operations in ways that add up quickly:

Less time spent walking between machine sections
Easier access for maintenance and cleaning
Better ergonomics throughout the shift
Reduced frustration from unnecessary movement

Recovery matters more than perfection

No line runs perfectly all the time. What matters is how quickly teams can recover when something goes wrong.

Machines designed with recovery in mind don’t just stop—they help operators restart efficiently. They identify the issue, explain what happened, and guide the user through resolution.

Over time, this “fast recovery” mindset has a significant impact. Saving even a minute or two per stop can translate into hours of regained productivity each week.

Training is becoming multi-dimensional

Training is no longer limited to manuals or in-person sessions. Forward-thinking operations are using a mix of tools that meet operators where they are.

That includes:

AR tools that provide real-time, on-machine guidance
VR environments that allow safe, hands-off practice
Remote support that connects teams with experts instantly
Digital resources linked directly to machine diagnostics

The goal is simple: make knowledge accessible exactly when it’s needed.

The role of strong partnerships

Even with the best equipment, support matters. Many organizations are leaning more on their OEM partners to extend internal capabilities and reduce pressure on their teams.

The strongest partnerships go beyond reactive service. They provide ongoing support that helps prevent issues, improve performance, and build operator confidence over time.

Aagard’s Approach: Making Automation Approachable

Aagard has long believed that automation should never intimidate the people who run it.

The goal isn’t just performance—it’s confidence on the floor.

That philosophy shows up in several key ways.

Designed for clarity

Operators aren’t left guessing. Systems are built to guide, inform, and support decisions in real time, reducing reliance on tribal knowledge and shortening the learning curve.

Built for real-world use

From walk-through frames to tool-less adjustments, every design choice considers how operators interact with the machine day in and day out. The result is equipment that feels intuitive instead of overwhelming.

Training that sticks

Support doesn’t end at installation. Training is layered—starting with hands-on sessions and continuing with follow-ups, advanced options, and accessible digital tools that reinforce learning over time.

Service that feels like an extension of your team

Reliable support builds confidence. With remote diagnostics, preventive maintenance, and responsive troubleshooting, teams know they’re not on their own when challenges arise.

The Bigger Picture: People + Technology = Future-Ready Packaging

Automation doesn’t eliminate people—it elevates them.

It allows operators to move beyond repetitive tasks and into roles that require problem-solving, decision-making, and continuous improvement. And when equipment is intuitive and supportive, teams don’t feel overwhelmed—they feel empowered.

Investing in user-friendly technology is ultimately an investment in your people.

And that’s always a win.

Perfect Packs from Imperfect Infeeds: Aagard’s Top-Load Case Packer for Guacamole | Aagard

Aagard — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 06:00:00 GMT

In many food applications, the infeed is anything but predictable. Tubs of guacamole — lightweight, round, and often irregularly spaced — can arrive in unbalanced lanes that create downstream inefficiencies. For a long-time customer, Aagard engineered a top-load case packer designed specifically to tame this challenge.

The system begins by taking unbalanced lanes and conditioning them through a controlled infeed sequence. From there, products transition onto a staging conveyor, where spacing, orientation, and timing are refined before loading. This staging phase is essential for top-load applications, where predictability and precision drive pack quality.

The case packer supports both traditional top-load cases and display-ready configurations, allowing the customer to serve multiple retail channels with a single machine. Changeover is engineered for speed and operator ease, minimizing downtime and maximizing throughput.

By combining reliable product conditioning with flexible case formats, the system delivers consistent pack integrity — even with variable upstream conditions. It’s another example of how Aagard designs automation that solves real-world production challenges while supporting long-term customer growth.

Ready to talk about your project? Contact us today.

Behind the Curtain: Aagard’s Integrated End-of-Line Innovation and an Invitation to Visit | Aagard

Aagard — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 06:00:00 GMT

Some innovations are best experienced in person. At Aagard, we regularly invite customers to tour our production floor, see systems running live, and explore what we can build together. But for those who visit on-site, there’s an added bonus: a behind-the-scenes look into our R&D area — a glimpse at technologies not yet released to the market.

One of the newest systems featured during recent visits is an integrated end-of-line solution combining a corner board placer, top cap placer and tucker, and a fully integrated stretch wrapper. This system is designed to handle unstable loads with high variance, a common challenge in industries where product composition and stack geometry shift from pallet to pallet.

By placing corner boards automatically, securing top caps, tucking flaps, and stabilizing the cube with stretch wrapping, the system improves load containment and reduces risk across shipping and distribution. When integrated with smart conveying and upstream equipment, it becomes a powerful tool for improving pallet quality and reducing manual labor.

This is the kind of innovation that comes from collaboration — and from inviting customers into the development process. We welcome you to see it firsthand, tour our R&D space, and explore how purpose-built automation can solve the challenges unique to your operation.

Let's plan a visit. Contact us today!

The Energizer Packaging Transformation: There's More | Aagard

Aagard — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 06:00:00 GMT

Watch the video of our Director of Customer Innovation, Jonas Capistrant, talk about the Energizer story.

He'll describe how Aagard responded to Walmart challenging Energizer to transition away from plastic packaging; The task extended far beyond simply changing materials. It required total system-level innovation — a rethinking of formats, consumer usability, and end-to-end packaging automation. Energizer turned to Aagard to engineer a packaging transformation capable of meeting the sustainability mandate and elevating the consumer experience.

Aagard partnered directly with Energizer’s sales, marketing, engineering, and plant teams to reimagine the entire household battery platform. Every SKU size. Every format. Every touchpoint in the consumer journey. The result? A fully recyclable packaging family that is more intuitive, easier to open, better at protecting and organizing product, and optimized for automated production.

A key breakthrough was the development of a new upright case that maintains product orientation even as inventory is removed. For high-turn SKUs, this stability is essential. Engineers also introduced easy-tear features that let consumers open sleeves cleanly, access only the batteries they need, and avoid the familiar “22 loose batteries in a drawer” problem. Multi-carton sleeves allow packs like a 24-count to stay neatly contained long after first use.

To bring this innovation to life, Aagard designed a turnkey line integrating unloading, cartoning, sleeving, case packing, palletizing, stretch wrapping, and AMR interfacing. One continuous system — purpose-built for efficiency, accuracy, and operational safety. AMR traffic is intentionally isolated from operator areas, ensuring smooth, predictable flow at every stage.

This project demonstrates what’s possible when a sustainability challenge is met with engineering creativity. The solution didn’t just remove plastic; it delivered a packaging ecosystem that is smarter, stronger, more functional, and fully automated.

At Aagard, this is how we solve complex problems — with collaboration, inventive thinking, and technology built to scale.

Have a sustainability, space, safety, or efficiency requirement? We're here for it. We can't wait to partner with you. Contact us today.

Multi-"Flavor" Variety Packs Made Simple: A Packaging Solution Built for Flexibility | Aagard

Aagard — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 06:00:00 GMT

Some packaging challenges don’t stay in one facility — they scale across continents. For one customer, Aagard had already engineered two solutions that transitioned their product out of plastic packaging in the United States. When they needed the same sustainability-driven transformation overseas, the partnership naturally expanded to Poland.

This third system pushes flexibility even further. The customer needed the ability to run three different product flavors — A, B, and C — each with unique characteristics and flow rates. The machine had to handle hang-tab cartons, shelf-ready VersaCase® displays, and a co-bot palletizer downstream. It also required the capability to efficiently create variety packs, combining all three flavors into a single retail unit.

Aagard engineered a multi-width tray infeed that accommodates all three SKUs. To solve asynchronous flavor availability, the system can remove product directly from the production line and stage it into magazines — effectively buffering each flavor until all three are ready to run together. This creates a stable, efficient merge process and ensures consistent, reliable variety-pack formation.

On the retail side, the system supports both hang-tab and shelf-ready packaging formats, giving the customer multiple merchandising options without requiring a major footprint increase. A co-bot palletizer integrates seamlessly at the end-of-line to streamline labor requirements and optimize stacking patterns.

This project showcases how flexible automation can scale globally while maintaining consistency, sustainability, and performance. It’s a powerful example of how Aagard engineers systems that adapt to product needs, not the other way around.

We're ready to engineer a system to adapt to your needs. Contact us today!

The Power to Pivot for Co-Packers: Maximize Efficiency with Co-Packing | Aagard

Aagard — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 06:00:00 GMT

In the world of contact packaging, every minute counts. Product formats shift, packaging specifications evolve, and new SKUs arrive faster than ever before. For co-packers, this constant change is both an opportunity and a challenge because if the line isn't running, revenue isn't either.

That's where Aagard's Rapid Launch™ comes in.

Rapid Launch™ was designed to simplify one of the most complex parts of running a packaging line -- changeovers. Traditionally, switching between products meant a painstaking process of manual adjustments, mechanical tweaks, and operator guesswork. It was time-consuming, error-prone, and costly.

Rapid Launch™ eliminates that friction. Through a combination of HMI-driven setup, recipe-based automation, and intelligent motion control, operators can transition between products quickly and confidently. What used to take hours now takes minutes, with precision repeatability that ensures every set up runs like the last.

Why it Matters for Co-Packers?

Co-packers live in a world of constant variety. Every brand they service brings different packaging types, formats, and volumes. The ability to pivot quickly isn't just nice to have, it's a competitive edge.

Rapid Launch™ gives co-packers the agility they need to service multiple customers efficiently. Whether it's a shift from bags to trays, 12-packs to 18-packs, or one label format to another. This system keeps the line flexible without sacrificing speed or accuracy. Operators can manage changeovers directly through an intuitive touchscreen, allowing production to resume faster and more reliably.

That kind of responsiveness helps co-packers maximize uptime, increase capacity, and take on more business without needing additional lines or shifts.

Beyond flexibility, Rapid Launch™ helps teams get to production faster and safer. By automating adjustments that once relied on manual intervention, they system reduces the potential for set up errors, minimizes scrap, and helps even new operators achieve expert-level performance quickly.

Each changeover is guided, repeatable, and consistent, ensuring operators spend less time troubleshooting and more time running product.

Futureproofing for What's Next

Packaging requirements aren't slowing down, they're diversifying. Rapid Launch™ gives manufacturers and co-packers the assurance that their line can evolve with the market. As new products, materials, or customers are added. the system adapts with minimal disruption.

If you're looking for the ability to pivot with packaging, let us know. We're here to help!

Press Release: Aagard Launches Aagard Assurance – A Lifetime Support Program Built Around the Customer | Aagard

Aagard — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 05:00:00 GMT

For Alexandria, MN based company, Aagard, delivering industry-leading automation solutions is only the beginning. Aagard proudly announces the launch of Aagard Assurance™, a lifetime support program designed to redefine what world-class service and proactive care look like in the packaging automation industry.

“For us, success isn’t just about building great machines—it’s about being there for our customers every step of the way,” said Cameron Nyberg, Director of Service. “That’s what Aagard Assurance is all about—ensuring our customers are supported and heard, always.”

The creation of Aagard Assurance stemmed directly from customer feedback regarding their industry experiences. Aagard Assurance offers a comprehensive suite of benefits tailored to each customer's operations:

Regular check-ins to avoid issues before they arise.
Machine tracking of what’s being worked on.
Access to expert technicians no subcontractors, just Aagard technicians who know your machine inside and out.
Custom-tailored support adaptable to every unique facility.
Real-time remote troubleshooting and transparent communication.
Operator-first philosophy, ensuring the end users are empowered and heard.

And, although some of the outputs that are a result of the program might be billable, the program itself is free along with the customer’s dedicated service manager, who also comes at no cost to them.

“The point of the program is to ensure customer success and there is no charge for that,” said Nyberg. “We speak with everyone at our customer’s facility—from CEOs to operators—because that’s how we build machines that truly work better for our customers.”

Aagard Assurance is proactive, customized, and built to last. The commitment is simple: to help customers succeed over the lifetime of their machines—through real relationships, expert service, and constant support.

The program is now being included with every new machine build. Additionally, Aagard is reaching out to existing customers to bring Assurance to previously installed machines.

Choosing Aagard means investing in more than a machine—it means gaining a partner dedicated to your long-term success.

To learn more about Aagard Assurance or to schedule a consultation, contact Cameron Nyberg at cpnyberg@aagard.com or Service at service@aagard.com.

About Aagard

For more information about Aagard, please contact:

Mandi Carlberg

Marketing Manager

Aagard

320.763.6043

mkcarlberg@aagard.com

Aagard Engineered a Frozen Meal System for Fragile Aluminum Trays | Aagard

Aagard — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Some of the best automation stories don’t start with a blank slate—they start with a challenge that keeps coming back until someone finally cracks it. That was the case with this project: a high-end frozen entrée, a delicate aluminum tray, and a customer who had worked with us before and knew exactly who to call when it was time to do something hard.

Combination machine made to handle delicate aluminum trays, ensuring product made it through shipping process without damage.

A Fragile Product Meets a Demanding Process

The product? A premium, oven-ready frozen meal packed in a thin aluminum tray. Unlike typical plastic trays that can take a bit rougher handling, these required a new level of handling. Traditional conveying and collating methods were not going to work.

The customer’s goal was clear: automate the process without damaging the product. But the path to getting there? That took engineering.

Rethinking the Process, One Touchpoint at a Time

We started where we always do—by studying the challenge from every angle. The trays couldn’t be forced into lanes or bumped along conveyors. Instead, we let them arrive gently on a wide belt, keeping their orientation and minimizing contact. From there, robotic pick-and-place systems took over, carefully lifting and orienting each tray with precision. No compression, no collisions—just clean, controlled handling.

We also helped refine the sleeve design itself. The customer needed the sleeve to lock securely around the tray, including a footed base that would let the packaged product stand vertically at retail. To support this, we implemented an indexing system that gently guided the trays into position and allowed for accurate folding, crimping, and sealing without stressing the package.

Combination machine with inline indexing to gently guide trays into position.

That might sound simple, but it took several rounds of revisions—especially when it came to machine layout. Originally, the indexing was set up perpendicular to product flow, but that limited access to key stations. So, we re-engineered it to an inline index, dramatically improving visibility, accessibility, and maintainability across the entire sleever.

Integrated Challenges, One Unified System

The sleeving system didn’t stand alone. It had to flow directly into a case packing system that used a previously developed, retail-ready case. The twist? Everything—from robotic infeed to sleeve handling to case packing—had to happen in a tight footprint on a mezzanine. And, like many frozen food lines, product came straight from the freezer, requiring us to manage the feed rate based on real-time line conditions.

We packed all of this into a single frame, engineered with multiple access points and built-in walkways to keep the system serviceable. Even with a heavy sealed tray in motion, the system used precision Connix positioning to track each unit, rotate, and maintain perfect control from start to finish.

Why They Chose Aagard—Again

This wasn’t our first project with this customer. We’d earned their trust by solving big problems before—and when it came time to take on this fragile new format, they didn’t go out for bids. They came straight to us.

That’s the real story here. Yes, we built a combination sleever and case packer capable of handling fragile aluminum trays at high speeds. Yes, we did it in a tight footprint on a mezzanine with high accessibility and smart line integration. But what really matters is the trust we’d built before, and the engineering it took to make this system work.

And that’s what we mean when we say we build machines that are purpose-built.

Aagard Maximizes Throughput and Minimizes Footprint | Aagard

Aagard — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Not every packaging project starts with a single, clear-cut plan. Some take years of conversations, iterations, and trust-building—layer by layer—until the right moment hits.

Tightly integrated combination case packer, palletizer, and stretch wrapper for deli meat.

That was the case with this long-standing customer, who had a clear goal in mind: upgrade the end-of-line systems for six deli meat packaging lines. The challenge? Make it more efficient—and fit it into the footprint of a case packer.

After five to six years of ongoing collaboration, onsite visits, and gradually evolving design ideas, the project finally kicked off. What emerged was a tightly integrated combination solution: case packer, palletizer, and stretch wrapper—all in a space originally reserved for case packing alone.

The Power of Compact Integration

The original plan didn’t include palletizing or wrapping at the line. That’s because, traditionally, those systems take up valuable floor space—especially in cold environments like this customer’s freezer room. But Aagard brought something different to the table: a highly compact, fully integrated system that included palletizing and stretch wrapping within the same footprint, saving massive amounts of space.

On top of that, the system included product accumulation buffers, giving the upstream process 4–5 minutes of coverage during short stops. That meant better uptime and fewer interruptions, even in high-speed operations.

Combination machine with Aagard's Rapid Launch™ Technology for faster changeovers.

Engineering for Flexibility and Efficiency

This wasn’t a copy-and-paste job. Even though we’d worked with this customer on other machines before, we looked for ways to improve—starting with infeed flexibility for a broader range of deli products. We also moved from older third-party robots to Aagard’s own delta-style robotic loaders, which gave the system a more open feel and improved operator access without sacrificing speed or robustness.

And then came the case design—a double-walled box built to support heavier deli meat packs. This change eliminated deformation issues and enabled better pallet integrity.

We also made strategic layout changes at the palletizer’s output, shifting its interface to face the aisle for easier forklift access. Small adjustment, big impact—especially for teams running multiple lines in a tight facility.

Smart Choices That Paid Off

Initially, the customer wasn’t planning to invest in Aagard’s Rapid Launch™ technology. With dedicated lines, they didn’t think they needed the faster changeovers and recipe flexibility. But after seeing how much it simplified operation and cut downtime on the first machine, they quickly decided to retrofit it across all of their lines.

We also implemented smart row palletizing to build dense, stable loads, integrated on-machine printing, and worked with Ambliflex to optimize vertical transitions based on their site conditions.

Results That Stick

The machine has been running at 95% efficiency, handling additional SKUs since its installation, and continues to deliver real value. What started as a project, years in the making, turned into a true example of what Aagard does best—engineering combination systems that adapt to the real-world needs of operators, space constraints, and evolving product lines.

This wasn’t just an upgrade. It was a complete transformation of how end-of-line automation can look—and work—in a modern food facility.