Spee-Dee's History
40 Years Filled with Confidence
For over 40 years, Spee-Dee® has provided filling solutions that last. Since 1981, companies have trusted Spee-Dee fillers and checkweighers to improve efficiency, productivity and profitability. What started as an acquisition by our late founder Jim Navin with only four employees is now a growing company with a team of over 100 associates. Today, Spee-Dee remains family-owned and -operated with several employees who have worked with the company for more than 25 years. The Navin family is involved in day-to-day operations, with Jim's three sons helping Spee-Dee evolve with new filling technologies. Read on to learn more about Spee-Dee’s history.
1940s
THE SPEE-DEE VOLUMETRIC CUP FILLER IS BORN
The Spee-Dee Volumetric Cup Filler is created by the Karstrum Co., located in Chicago, Illinois. The company later relocates to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
1968
THE KARSTRUM CO. IS PURCHASED BY FRANKLIN ELECTRIC.
1969
JIM NAVIN JOINS THE FRANKLIN ELECTRIC COMPANY
Under General Manager Jim Navin, the plant manufactures labeling equipment for meat departments, and tables for the meat cutting and deli departments of supermarkets.
1981
SPEE-DEE PACKAGING MACHINERY, INC. IS FOUNDED
Jim Navin and a minority partner purchase the supermarket equipment repair business from Franklin Electric Co. Spee-Dee Packaging Machinery, Inc. is founded when Jim Navin acquires the Spee-Dee product line from Franklin Electric Co. Spee-Dee moves into a new location and hires several former employees, including the Spee-Dee service manager.
1989
A NEW HOME AND A NEW FILLING TECHNOLOGY
Jim and his team grow the supermarket sales and service business and the Spee-Dee cup filler business. They buy and move to a new 10,000 square foot building. In late 1989, Spee-Dee buys a small California company that makes Stepper Motor driven auger fillers using PC controls, which introduces Spee-Dee to auger filling technology. Spee-Dee transitions from being a mechanical-focused company to an electro-mechanical-focused company.
1990s
A PERIOD OF CHANGE
As technology changes, Servo motors replace Stepper motors, and PC controls are upgraded to more stable PLC controls. Companies take notice of Spee-Dee’s higher-tech servo motion, PLC, and touch screen controls.
Larger manufacturers and Fortune 500 companies are introduced to these improvements. They soon realize the more accurate, reliable and user-friendly Servo motors increase their ROI. Spee-Dee’s cup filler line is also upgraded using this advanced technology.
EARLY 2000s
A PERIOD OF APPLICATION
Spee-Dee continues to meet the machine applications and opportunities presented by its customers. Electro-Magnetic Force Restoration (EMFR) weighing technology is used to develop the Spee-Dee line of checkweighers. The checkweigher works in conjunction with the fillers to compensate for product density changes. Multilane fillers are developed to meet the growth of cups and pods. Single point controls allow operators to control their container/bag machine, filler and checkweigher all from a single touchscreen.
Spee-Dee adds resources in PLC programing, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and design. The increase in personnel and manufacturing requires additional office and shop space, which leads to the purchase of the present location, a 48,000 square foot office and manufacturing site. Most machining, welding, polishing and fabrication are done in-house.
2010s
CONTINUED GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Spee-Dee hires a new VP of Product Development and expands its research and engineering. A high-speed, all-servo controlled rotary filler is added to meet the requirements of high speed rigid container filling. New products like vacuum tooling are created to control fluidizing products; ultra-hygienic fillers meet stringent pharma and dairy requirements, and stand-alone checkweighers provide a more convenient and affordable way to improve accuracy.