Company News

January 2011 - Celebrating 65 Years... Paying Tribute to the Man Behind it All

Cherry Hill, New Jersey, January 2011:  It is quite an accomplishment for a small US company to make it in the manufacturing sector for 65 consecutive years.  However, there can be no greater triumph than to have achieved this milestone under the leadership of a single family with continued involvement by the founder of the business. Sister company, Precision Automation Co., Inc., celebrated 65 years of business on January 7, 2011 by holding a gala event at Tavistock Country Club in Haddonfield, New Jersey.  In addition to celebrating 65 years of success in the manufacturing industry, Precision Automation Co., Inc. paid tribute to its founder, G. Frederick Rexon, Sr.  A very nice sit-down dinner provided the backdrop for a very special celebration of which colleagues from pāco manufacturing^® were invited to attend. The combined celebration included all the employees and their spouses, retirees and their spouses, the Rexon family, colleagues and friends.

It was a night filled with the presentation of milestone awards by executive vice-president, Dan Pomponio, to many employees who have continued their careers with Precision Automation for 25 years or more, and with an impassioned speech from the president, Fred Rexon Jr., who acknowledged the company’s continued existence through a tough economic slump and indicators of a promising future. The balance of the evening included testimonials to Mr. Rexon from colleagues and lifelong friends.

One of those impassioned speeches came from the president of pāco manufacturing^®, Glen Morris, who explained to our “Jersey” colleagues how Mr. Rexon founded the Indiana plant back in 1953. Regarding Mr. Rexon, Glen Morris had this to say,

The Indiana Company has had to go down many bumpy roads. Many of those bumps could have been reason for him to give up and just close up shop. Thankfully, he never chose that option. Mr. Rexon has always supported our Indiana Company through bad times and full of praise in good times. He never gave up on the people. Those of us working there now and those that preceded us are thankful for his support. I think in part, his continued support for us came from not being able to quit. He always believed there is a way to succeed. Don’t Give Up. Figure out what is not working and try again. Don’t Give Up. Quitting has never been a part of his business plan. [excerpt from speech by Glen Morris on January 7, 2011. Click here for complete speech.]

Glen Morris expressed his admiration for Mr. Rexon, acknowledging his attributes as not only  a boss, but also as a teacher, friend, counselor, father figure and much more. These attributes are not just felt by Mr. Morris or the coworkers at the Cherry Hill plant. Mr. Morris movingly expressed the heartfelt views of the Indiana plant as well, along with listing the qualities of an extraordinary man and leader. An exemplary commentary of that night given by Dan Rexon can be viewed on Precision Automation’s blog by clicking here.

Mr. Rexon handed the reins of the Cherry Hill plant to his successor, Fred Rexon, Jr., a few years ago while retaining the position of Chairman of the Board of pāco manufacturing^® until this past year. He has now passed this position onto his son as well. This past year also introduced three generations into the company, continuing a fine tradition of leadership in both companies as we begin the next decade of the Twenty-First Century. Thank you, Mr. Rexon for your leadership, your insight and the care you showed both your employees and, above all, your customers and partners in business for all these years.

September 2010: Apple Food Systems to carry on its own

In a strategic move for both pāco manufacturing^® and Apple Food Systems, both companies have ascertained that Apple Food Systems will best serve their customers’ requirements with a shorter response time and improved customer service by operating separately. Apple Food Systems will continue to have the support of both pāco manufacturing^® as well as Apple International. Ed Gill will continue his role as Sales Coordinator to promote the complete product line throughout the United States and Canada. Please visit www.applefoodsystems.com to view their product line and all of their contact information.

[NOTE from October, 2009 - Thanks to all who stopped by and visited with us at our Apple Food Systems' booth during the 2009 Process Expo. We enjoyed meeting new faces, and look forward to growing these new relationships in the coming months.]

September 2009:

Public Unveiling of Apple Food Systems at the 2009 Process Expo

Apple Food Systems will be making their inaugural public debut to the Food Industry during this year’s PROCESS EXPO, being held October 5th-7th, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Process Expo provides the newest developments in food processing technology to meet the challenges faced by the industry’s food and beverage manufacturers. The expo draws buyers representing every market segment of the food industry from the U.S. and more than 75 countries; and this year Apple Food System will be manning Booth #6937 in the Upper South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Apple Food Systems presents to the North, Central, and South American Food, Bakery and Confectionery Industries established products directly tested and proven throughout the rest of the world.

President Glen Morris stated that, although Apple Food Systems is a newly formed partnership, “It brings a proven technology to the Americas which the rest of the world has known and trusted for many years.” The unveiling of Apple Food Systems at the 2009 Process Expo in Las Vegas is an opportunity for Apple to demonstrate their eagerness and expertise in bringing solutions to the challenges faced by today’s food manufacturers.

New Filler Head Features "No Drips, No Runs, No Errors"

Recent accomplishments in the U.S. include a new self-clearing head design of Apple’s for a borderless pizza system. Apple Food Systems just installed a six across depositor system producing 240 flatbreads per minute, utilizing only around ten square feet of factory space. The new head provides an even coverage of sauces, including those with particulate matter such as onions and tomatoes, with a tight and accurate weight deposit in a specific and totally designable pattern. According to Sales Director, Ed Gill, Apple Food Systems provides accurate deposits with little or no edge contamination to ensure proper sealing. “We are going to become the Krylon™ of the depositing market,” says Gill, “that is, as Johnny Bench used to say, ‘No drips, no runs, no errors.’”

April 2009: Apple's 1st Major Deal just before "Thunder over Louisville"

April heralds in the two-week festivities leading up to the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby. There is so much to do and see around Louisville during this time, especially if you were fortunate to catch the Air-Show and Fireworks Extravaganza held Saturday, April 18th. As our plant is only minutes away from the Indiana side of the Ohio River, many of pāco manufacturing^®'s employees and their families witnessed one of the grandest displays to-date. Accenting the festivities was perfect Spring weather which, as April is known for, turned cold, rainy and horrible the next day.  The beautiful weather broke attendance records, but for all those who decided to fight the crowds and traffic, the fireworks demonstration was one of the best.  If you did not attend this year's Thunder over Louisville, or just want to relive the moment again, we've added a video link from The Courier-Journal.  Hopefully, all our families, friends and colleagues will be able to enjoy some part of the festivities involved with the Kentucky Derby.

Apple Food Systems  deserves its own Thunder as well, because, on that Friday before Thunder , Apple finalized its First Significant Sales Order involving a custom designed border-free, rectangular shaped, small particulate pizza sauce depositing system.  Sales Director Ed Gill and Engineer Larry Moser travelled to the customer's site midweek to demonstrate Apple's capabilities using the demo system pictured below.  Our guys put on such a outstanding presentation that they were awarded the order just days later!  Congratulations to Apple Food Systems on securing their first noteworthy sales order, on forming a new relationship within the food industry, and on selling not just an Apple machine, but an Apple "system."  A round of fireworks seems appropriate for Apple Food Systems this month...let's keep up the pace!

February, 2009: Apple Food Systems invade Britain

During the week of February 8th, Apple Food Systems continued to flourish as the new Sales Director and two engineers flew to Hull, England, UK for a week long training session by the staff of Apple International at their facility. The training for both the sales and engineering staff was extensive and undeterred by a major snowstorm that fell on Hull during their stay. The U.S. contingent was also able to preview the Depositor System which will be shipped and featured at our Indiana plant very shortly. Our team came back loaded with knowledge and documentation.

Sales is already in the process of sending out product sheets to potential customers, as well as, in preparing our first quote to a U.S. based company in California concerning the filling of yogurt cups. Engineering is currently updating our CAD system with the new machinery drawings, developing material lists, and establishing partnerships with our various suppliers regarding our new material requisitions.

pāco manufacturing^® is very excited with the results of this recent trip and the enthusiastic and tremendous support given by our gracious hosts from Apple International, as we continue to move full-speed ahead with Apple Food Systems.

January, 2009: British Ingenuity Made in the USA

January 2009 launches Apple Food Systems, a newly formed partnership established to market, sell, manufacture and service Apple International Food Processing Machinery in North and South America. This joint venture embraces the engineering expertise of Apple International Ltd., headquartered in Hull, England, and the manufacturing expertise of pāco manufacturing^® , headquartered in Clarksville, Indiana.

The US based company will provide a complete range of food processing machinery and turnkey systems which can be utilized by the baking, confectionary, and processing segments of the Food Industry. In addition to developing and manufacturing full turnkey systems, Apple Food Systems will offer high speed, multi-head, top or side injection systems; multi-head, electro/pneumatic volumetric depositors with auto product calibration and menu selection facilities; and multi-pitch, multi-functional indexing systems for all product types with menu selection facilities. Apple International’s expertise in engineering and food process machinery will fit nicely with the 55 years of machinery manufacturing expertise, quality and service provided by pāco manufacturing^® .

Since 1953, pāco manufacturing^®  has been a key player with OEM’s, the Automotive, Pharmaceutical, Medical Products, Consumer Products and Building Products Industries in the United States; specializing in complete machine building, offering engineering assistance from prototype to production, and quality manufacturing from highly trained machinists, fabricators, mechanics, electricians, controls experts, and assemblers.  For more information on this venture, go to www.applefoodsystems.com .

October, 2008: Half Century Award given by Governor Daniels

On October 1, 2008, pāco manufacturing^® founder, G. Frederick Rexon, Sr. , proudly accepted the Half Century Award from Governor Mitch Daniels, during a ceremony held at the Indiana Statehouse. Also proudly attending the ceremony were President Glen A. Morris, Executive Vice President Robert Daily, long-time employee Mary Ann Huffmon, and Mrs. Charlotte Rexon.  The Governor's Century and Half Century Business Awards honor Indiana businesses that have remained in operation for 100 or 50 years or more and have also demonstrated a history of community service. "These companies are the foundation of economic growth for our state. Home-grown Indiana companies like these provide the stability and longstanding community involvement that typifies our traditional Hoosier values," said Governor Daniels.

Recipients of these awards were nominated by individuals and organizations within their community for being well-established companies who have outstandingly contributed to the economic growth and prosperity of the state.  A complete press release by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is available to view through the company's web site. 

pāco manufacturing^® was founded in Jeffersonville in 1953 by G. Frederick Rexon, and moved to its present site at 2120 Addmore Lane, Clarksville, Indiana, in March, 1968 due to expansion needs.  For over 50 years, pāco manufacturing^® has successfully designed and manufactured machinery and machine parts for a variety of markets, and will continue to do so in the next 50 years with the same expertise, quality and service for their customers.

July, 2008: We are now pāco manufacturing^®

On July 22, 2008, the United States Patent and Trademark Office officially registered the trademark of pāco manufacturing^® for the corporation of Precision Automation Company Inc. (Indiana Corporation).  The United States Patent and Trademark Office examined and determined our application for registration for the mark of "pāco manufacturing^®" which was filed back on June 19, 2006, was in compliance with the regulations as prescribed under the Trademark Act of 1946, as amended.  As of July 22, 2008, pāco manufacturing^® is now entitled to display the superscript ® whenever the name is used in print. 

June, 2008: Property for Sale

pāco manufacturing^® is "testing the waters" with regards to putting the current property up for sale.  We are interested in capitalizing on the appreciated value of the 7+ acres and reinvesting it into a new facility with updated equipment.  Just another strategic step in moving pāco manufacturing^® forward in the 21st century!

May, 2008: New Signs - New Tag Line

Recently, pāco manufacturing^® proudly displayed new signage both inside and outside of the plant, thanks to the talents of Mappins Brothers Signs.  The new signs not only display who we are, but what we do.  Part of the company's strategic plan is to acknowledge the importance of associating our new tag line, "Quality Equipment for Industry" with our new company name while retaining our reputation of over 50 years!

October, 2007: Company Appreciation Dinner

On October 25, 2007, most current and many former employees, spouses and some special guests of pāco manufacturing^® participated in an Employee Appreciation Dinner. The event was held at the newly renovated 300 Spring in Jeffersonville, Indiana. It was deliciously catered by Savor This Catering, Inc. Hors d’oeuvres began at 6:30 p.m. to music provided by Mr. Jeff Daily with dinner being served at 7:30 p.m. Everyone present at the event was asked to pose for Linda Doane Photography, who provided a keepsake memory 5 x 7 color photo which has been framed and presented as a token of gratitude for their contribution to pāco manufacturing^® . Honored guests came from as far as our sister plant, Precision Automation^® Company, Inc. in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, as well as from New York and Atlanta, Georgia.  Company President, Glen A. Morris, expressed his appreciation to all with these comments, "I for one am very proud of
pāco manufacturing^® , the work we do and certainly for all of our employees who contribute to our success. Thank you for your dedication and all your hard work! The strength of a company is achieved through the dedication of its employees."

October, 2006: Company Name Change

The official name change took place in October, 2006.  Precision Automation^® Company, Inc. of Indiana has now become pāco manufacturing^® . “Automation is a limiting term,” observed Glen A. Morris, president of the Clarksville, Indiana Company. “Most of our customers and prospective customers are manufacturers, and we want to make sure they view our company on that broader platform, especially with our contract manufacturing capabilities.” The consensus among those involved in the planning process was that the previous name has become too closely associated with high-end automation, close tolerance parts and so on, to the exclusion of the plant’s other capabilities.