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Integrated food packaging systems — robotics engineered to run as one line

One line. Many moving parts.
Our team makes them work together.

JLS engineers, builds, and programs the robotic core of the line — primary product handling, cartoning, and case packing — and coordinates the agreed interfaces with your processing and packaging equipment suppliers, including on multi-vendor lines. One controls platform across JLS equipment. Every agreed handoff engineered, not assumed. One line, engineered for operational certainty from infeed to output.

Full Line
Primary loading to case packing
Coordinated
Agreed third-party interfaces
Same Platform
B&R controls across JLS equipment
Zone-matched
Sanitation engineered for each part of the line

JLS integrated systems are robotic packaging lines where JLS engineers, programs, and supports its defined automation scope — primary product handling, cartoning, and case packing — and coordinates the agreed interfaces with upstream and downstream equipment from other suppliers, so the line runs as one coordinated system. Through a long-standing relationship with Reiser — and with other qualified equipment suppliers when a project calls for them — JLS also coordinates with processing and portioning equipment, so food manufacturers can plan the full line with an experienced integration partner.

Why a coordinated integrator

Uncoordinated lines fail at the seams.

When primary handling, cartoning, and case packing are bought separately with no one owning how they work together, what fails first is usually the space between them — different timing assumptions, mismatched signals, and gaps nobody scoped. JLS engineers its robotics as one system and takes ownership of the interfaces with the other equipment on the line, so rates, recipes, controls, and handoffs are planned together from the start.

04

Designed to grow with you

Many processors start with one cell — primary handling or case packing — and expand to a fully integrated line later. JLS designs each phase to fit the eventual complete system so nothing gets stranded when you add the next stage.

*IP69K refers to the ingress-protection rating of selected components (robots, motors, enclosures) specified for an application — not a rating of the complete machine.

Integrated lines we've built

A few integrated systems we've built.

Every line is engineered around the product, package, and process — not a fixed template. These are examples, not a menu: JLS also integrates other sandwich builds, snack sticks, product counting and orienting, bag loading, and other robotic handling functions where they fit the line. Open any example to see the full build.

A typical integrated line

Common line stages, one coordinated architecture.

Many integrated lines follow a pattern like this — a starting point, not a rulebook. Depending on the application, a line may skip a stage (not every line needs cartoning) or add robotic functions between stages: product counting and orienting, spreading, bag loading, slip sheets, condiment-packet insertion, and more. The JLS stages share the same B&R Automation controls platform. Engineered, programmed, and tested in York. Commissioned on your floor. JLS coordinates recipe handling and controls interfaces with the other equipment in your project.

STAGE 01

Primary loading

TALON · HARRIER · KESTREL

Explore primary handling →
STAGE 02

Cartoning

PEREGRINE IS · PEREGRINE

Explore cartoning →
STAGE 03

Case packing

OSPREY TL · OSPREY CL · OSPREY BP · HAWK · PATTY HAWK

Explore case packing →
STAGE 04

Final output coordination

Third-party case sealing, checkweighing, labeling, and palletizing · interfaces coordinated by JLS within the agreed scope

Ask about full-line scope →
If your starting point is…Example JLS approachControlsSanitation
Multi-component sandwich or prepared food assemblyBreakfast Sandwich or Deli Sandwich lineB&RMatched by zone
Soft, delicate confection piecesSoft Confection packaging lineB&RMatched by zone
Taco or formed food requiring fold + packTaco packaging lineB&RMatched by zone
Primary loading + case packing on the same platformPrimary handling + Case packing — JLS dual-stageB&RMatched by zone
Full line including processing and portioning upstreamJLS + Reiser integrated line, or JLS with your other qualified suppliers — contact for scopeB&RMatched by zone
Something else — snack sticks, counting, bagging, or a new formatA line engineered around your product — talk to an Automation Expert——
JLS + Reiser

Full-line capability
from processing to final output.

Through a long-standing relationship with Reiser, JLS helps food manufacturers plan the complete line — Reiser processing and portioning equipment, JLS robotic primary handling, cartoning, and case packing, and the agreed interfaces with end-of-line equipment from other suppliers. Two specialists. One coordinated line. And when your project calls for other qualified processing or packaging suppliers, JLS integrates with them too.

JLS + Reiser Integrated Systems

Coordinated from the first machine to the last.

When you plan a full line with JLS and Reiser, each supplier owns its defined scope, and the agreed interfaces — mechanical handoffs, controls communication, and line timing — are engineered together from the start. JLS engineers, programs, and tests the JLS stages in York, commissions them on your floor, and supports them for the life of the line; third-party case erecting, case sealing, and palletizing are specified and coordinated in. No interface left to chance.

JLS designs, builds, and programs the robotic primary handling, cartoning, and case packing stages on B&R Automation controls. Reiser contributes processing, portioning, and forming expertise — coordinated so every stage feeds the next without handshake gaps.

Line stageScope
Processing / prepReiser
Portioning / slicing / formingReiser
Robotic primary handlingJLS
CartoningJLS
Case packingJLS
Case sealing, labeling & palletizingThird-party, coordinated

Proof before commitment

Test your product in the Flight Lab
before the line is designed.

JLS Flight Lab puts your application on JLS automation equipment in York, PA. Send product samples — or a close proxy, subject to project scope and availability — and JLS application engineers test tooling, pick method, and placement so feasibility is established before the line design is finalized. Rate and performance are validated during FAT on your system, with final confirmation at commissioning where upstream conditions can’t be simulated.

Feasibility
Tooling & pick method tested
U.S. Built
U.S. built automation
Pre-sale
Application testing, subject to availability
Request a Flight Lab test
The sale didn't stop at us signing the order — it actually began at our install — and continued until we were running at 100%.
VP/GM U.S. beef processor

Ready to plan your integrated line?

Tell us your product, your throughput target, and how many stages you want to automate. We'll show you how JLS has built it — or how we'd engineer it for your plant.

Integrated packaging systems FAQs.

Common questions about integrated line scope, controls, sanitation, phasing, testing, and ROI.

Integrated line cost — and payback — are project-specific. A single robotic cell and a multi-stage line have very different economics, so JLS provides a project-specific quote after an engineering review of your line. Payback on an integrated line is driven by labor reduction, throughput, uptime, yield, staffing stability, and how much of the line is in scope, and JLS models it with your numbers so both the investment and the return are sized to your line, not a generic average.

An integrated packaging system is a robotic line where primary product handling, cartoning, and case packing — plus your upstream and downstream equipment — are engineered to work together as one coordinated line rather than as separate machines. JLS supplies and programs its defined automation scope and coordinates the agreed interfaces with your other equipment suppliers.

JLS builds and programs primary product handling, cartoning, and robotic case packing, and coordinates the agreed interfaces with thermoformers, tray sealers, flow wrappers, conveyors, checkweighers, metal detection, labeling, case erecting and sealing, and palletizing equipment from other suppliers. Compatibility is determined by the application and the agreed interfaces.

Most line problems show up at the interfaces between suppliers. With JLS, the primary handling, cartoning, and case packing JLS supplies are engineered and programmed in-house on one controls platform, and JLS defines the interfaces with everything else up front — scope split, line balance and rates, controls handshakes, mechanical transfers, testing, installation sequencing, and commissioning. Each supplier still owns its own equipment, but there is clear accountability for how the line works together, with fewer gaps to chase. After installation, JLS’s in-house support team supports the JLS scope with direct access to JLS engineering and programming expertise.

Yes, within the agreed interfaces. JLS coordinates with third-party thermoformers, tray sealers, flow wrappers, checkweighers, metal detectors, labelers, and case erecting, case sealing, and palletizing equipment, and works with Reiser and other qualified suppliers on upstream processing equipment. JLS engineers its own scope and the agreed interfaces; each supplier remains responsible for its own equipment.

Often, yes. Many processors start with one cell — primary handling or case packing — and expand to a fully integrated line later. JLS designs with that growth path in mind so each phase fits the eventual complete system.

Sanitation is engineered for each part of the line. Stations that handle exposed product can be built to hygienic, washdown construction with IP69K-rated components where the application calls for it; secondary packaging stages — often in a separate packaging room — use cleanable construction matched to that area’s cleaning regime. JLS designs its stages for food plants operating under applicable USDA/FSIS or FDA requirements and matches each one to the plant’s sanitation program. Sanitation ratings for third-party equipment are set by that equipment’s supplier.

JLS programs the controls for its equipment in-house on commercially available B&R hardware, so the JLS stages share one control philosophy, and coordinates controls communication with third-party equipment through the agreed interfaces. JLS’s in-house support team provides remote diagnostics, on-site service, training, and preventive maintenance for the JLS scope, with direct access to JLS engineering and programming expertise.

Yes. An integrated line automates repetitive tasks that have become increasingly difficult to staff, from primary loading through case packing. The impact depends on scope, line speed, and shift schedule, with added value from consistency, ergonomics, food safety, and uptime.

Often, yes. JLS Flight Lab can test product samples, or a close proxy, subject to project scope and availability. Pre-sale testing establishes feasibility — tooling, pick method, and placement — before the line design is finalized. Rate and performance are validated during FAT on your system, with final confirmation at commissioning.

Often, yes. The design depends on available floor space, line layout, product flow, controls, sanitation access, and existing equipment. JLS reviews the full plant so the integrated line fits the way it actually runs.

Designed, built, programmed, and tested at JLS Automation in York, Pennsylvania, then commissioned on your floor. JLS's in-house support team — with direct access to JLS engineering and programming expertise — provides remote diagnostics, on-site service, training, parts, and preventive maintenance.

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Have a product you need loaded, packed or cartoned?
Start with whether it’s a fit — not with a quote.
Tell an application engineer what you’re packaging and what the line looks like today. A few sentences is enough. If the product suits it, JLS can test it in the Flight Lab before any design is finalized.
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Connect with the service experts who keep your automation performing.
Spare parts, preventive maintenance, retooling, training, and on-site support — from JLS's in-house support team, backed by direct access to JLS engineering and controls expertise.