What Shick Esteve does

Shick Esteve is a private US-headquartered designer and manufacturer of custom ingredient automation systems for the food processing industry, operating as a subsidiary of Coperion Food, Health and Nutrition within Hillenbrand, Inc. (NYSE: HI). Founded in 1956 as Shick Solutions in Kansas City, Missouri and merged in 2018 with France's Esteve Process (Rians, dating to the 1950s), the company employs approximately 180 people and serves ten food-industry verticals including biscuit and cracker, bread and roll, coffee and tea, snack, tortilla, distilled spirits, confectionery, pet food, prepared foods, and mix plants. The company's stated positioning is that it is the only global automation systems provider focused exclusively on the food industry.

The core offering is a turnkey automation stack spanning bulk ingredient handling (silos, conveyors, vacuum/pressure pneumatic conveying), minor/micro ingredient automation (gain-in-weight/loss-in-weight scaling, lot tracking, bag dump and supersack), and liquid ingredient handling (CIP skids, storage tanks, fermentation and slurry systems), unified by the proprietary Clarity Process Management (IIoT) data and control platform and AIM recipe/lot-tracking software. Through the 2021 acquisition of W.D. Laramore Manufacturing, the portfolio also includes flour reclaim systems, and the company sells a dedicated Explosion Mitigation line compliant with NFPA 654, 61, 68, 69 and OSHA National Emphasis Program. A nearly 15,000 sq. ft. North American Technology Center in Kansas City houses R&D, customer demonstrations, and a multi-tier partner program with 20+ technology vendors.

Revenue is generated through project-based custom system sales (design, manufacturing, installation, commissioning) plus a recurring replacement parts business (airlocks, valves, feeders, blowers, filters, receivers, fluidization equipment, lump breakers) for the installed base. Go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales supported by a global network of 45+ agents and 15+ service centers in 14+ countries, with competence centers in Kansas City and Rians providing 24/7 support. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and all engagements are quote-based; marketing is driven by major food-industry trade shows (IBA, Gulfood, FA&M), webinars, and the Technology Center demonstration model. Since the October 2022 acquisition of LINXIS Group by Hillenbrand, Shick Esteve's effective reach extends through Coperion Food, Health & Nutrition's global infrastructure across more than 100 countries.

Name

Shick Esteve

Legal name

Shick Esteve

Website

https://shickesteve.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Shick Esteve designs, manufactures, and services custom ingredient automation systems for food processors across ten verticals (baking, pet food, snack, confectionery, etc.), unified by its Clarity IIoT platform. The firm, now part of Coperion Food, Health & Nutrition (Hillenbrand), operates from Kansas City and Rians with ~180 employees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Food Processing Automation Equipment

akta.pro primary industry

Process & Batch Control Software (Recipe Management, ISA-88) (IMAGABAH)

Keywords

• Ingredient automation systems
• Food processing equipment
• Pneumatic conveying systems
• Process control software
• Flour reclaim systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Kansas City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Custom Automation Systems (Design, Manufacturing, Installation, Service): Shick Esteve designs, manufactures, installs, and services custom turnkey ingredient automation systems for the food industry. Revenue is generated through project-based engagements encompassing engineering, component procurement, manufacturing, installation, commissioning, and aftermarket support including parts sales.
2. Replacement Parts Sales: Global customer service team sells replacement and maintenance parts (airlocks, valves, feeders, blowers, filters, receivers, fluidization equipment, lump breakers) to existing customers for ongoing system maintenance and performance optimization.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Shick Esteve designs, manufactures, installs, and services custom turnkey ingredient automation systems for the food processing industry, covering bulk, minor/micro, and liquid ingredient handling integrated through proprietary Clarity process control and AIM software. Its portfolio also includes Laramore flour reclaim systems, explosion mitigation systems, replacement parts, and field/project services. The company delivers these systems to food manufacturers across biscuit, bread, pet food, snack, tortilla, coffee, confectionery, distilled spirits, prepared foods, and mix plant segments worldwide.

Product overview

Shick Esteve is a complete ingredient automation provider and the only global automation systems provider focused solely on the food industry. Their product portfolio consists of integrated hardware automation systems complemented by proprietary software solutions. The core hardware offerings include Bulk Ingredient Handling (silos, conveyors, pneumatic conveying), Minor/Micro Ingredient Automation (precision scaling, batching, lot tracking), and Liquid Ingredient Handling (CIP skids, storage tanks, fermentation systems). These hardware systems are unified by Clarity Process Management software for integrated data and process control, and AIM (Automated Ingredient Management) software for recipe management and traceability. The company also offers acquired brand Laramore Flour Reclaim Systems for the baking industry, Explosion Mitigation Systems for NFPA/ATEX compliance, and Parts Sales for component replacement. Solutions span multiple food industry verticals including biscuit and cracker, bread and roll, coffee and tea, snack, tortilla, distilled spirits, confectionery, pet food, prepared foods, and mix plants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Laramore: Flour reclaim systems brand offering vacuum systems, filtration systems, supply hoppers, fire isolation cyclones, dry ingredient transfer units, and legacy replacement programs for the baking industry.

Products and services

• Clarity Process Management Integrated data and process control software providing clarity of data in a contextual format, enabling real-time decision-making for maximized production efficiencies. Includes modules for production management, schedule viewing, data management, prescale minor/micro ingredients, advanced batch reporting, and lot tracking, with ERP integration.
• AIM (Automated Ingredient Management) Software Software for creating recipes, managing ingredients, setting production schedules, lot tracking for traceability of all raw ingredients, and generating reports on ingredient usage and inventory, integrating with automation systems for nutrition bar, tortilla, and confectionery production.
• Laramore Flour Reclaim Systems Flour reclaim systems for the baking industry, including bread lines, roll lines, sheeted dough lines, and muffin lines. Provides vacuum systems, filtration systems, supply hoppers, fire isolation cyclones, dry ingredient transfer units, and auger units.
• Bulk Ingredient Handling Systems Core capability for bulk ingredient storage and delivery, utilizing super sack unloaders, belt conveyors, bulk material hoppers, silos, use bins, and hoppers. Handles both dry bulk materials and liquid bulk materials with pneumatic conveying systems (vacuum, pressure, and combined).
• Minor/Micro Ingredient Automation Systems Precise minor ingredient automation systems for consistency, accuracy, and traceability, including storage bins, scaling/batching solutions, lot tracking, screening, bag dump or supersack systems, and gain-in-weight or loss-in-weight systems.
• Liquid Ingredient Handling Systems Liquid handling automation and bulk liquid storage solutions including CIP (Clean-In-Place) skids, metering and dosing systems, cream yeast systems, slurry systems, liquid fermentation systems, bulk liquid storage tanks, liquid tote systems, and water blending systems.
• Explosion Mitigation Systems Dust explosion protection systems compliant with NFPA standards (NFPA 654, NFPA 61, NFPA 68, NFPA 69) and OSHA National Emphasis Program, including deflagration venting and explosion prevention systems for food processing facilities.
• Replacement Parts Sales Replacement and maintenance parts including airlocks, valves, feeders, blowers, complete systems (bag dump stations, bulk bag unloaders, IBC tote stands), filters, fluidization equipment, lump breakers, and receivers, available through the global customer service team.
• Field Services System installation supervision, I/O checkout, field engineering/support, system dry run testing, pre-production testing, and ongoing system maintenance, including a test lab with vacuum/pressure dilute and dense phase systems for material testing.
• Project Management and Installation Support Full project lifecycle management including design process management, component logistic management, installation planning and coordination, commissioning, training, system audits, and customer satisfaction follow-up.

Quantifiable outcome

• Real-time decision-making for maximized production through Clarity contextual data platform
• +2 more outcomes

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Coperion Food, Health & Nutrition (Hillenbrand)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2022In October 2022, Hillenbrand Inc. completed the acquisition of LINXIS Group, making Shick Esteve part of the Coperion Food, Health & Nutrition division. Coperion is a global industry and technology leader in compounding, extrusion systems, feeding systems, and bulk material handling with 2,500 employees worldwide. The combination enables more comprehensive processing solutions for food industry customers by leveraging combined capabilities, engineering locations, and global sales/service networks.
• LINXIS GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2022LINXIS Group (founded 1988, headquartered Nantes, France) is a leading global supplier of industrial processing equipment and automation solutions for the food, pharma, and cosmetics industries. It consists of six brands: VMI, Diosna, Shaffer, Shick Esteve, Unifiller, and Bakon. Shick Esteve operates within LINXIS Group's Ingredient Automation business unit. LINXIS Group has over 1,100 employees collectively and serves customers across 100 countries.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• AZO: AZO is a German-headquartered specialist in automated raw materials handling, ingredient feeding, and process automation for the food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. It is the closest direct peer to Shick Esteve, competing head-to-head in bulk ingredient handling, minor/micro dosing, and recipe management for bakeries and food processors worldwide.
• Hosokawa Micron: Hosokawa Micron provides powder and particle processing technologies including feeding, conveying, and bag dumping for food and pharmaceutical applications. Its feeding and bulk handling lines overlap directly with Shick Esteve's bulk and minor ingredient automation capabilities.
• Flexicon Corporation: Flexicon specializes in bulk material handling equipment including pneumatic conveyors, bulk bag unloaders, and ingredient handling systems for food, dairy, and nutraceutical processors. It competes with Shick Esteve in bulk ingredient storage, conveying, and minor ingredient dosing.
• Schenck Process: Schenck Process provides weighing, feeding, and conveying solutions for food, plastics, and chemical industries. Its ingredient feeding and batch weighing products compete with Shick Esteve's minor/micro ingredient automation and gain-in-weight/loss-in-weight systems.
• Heat and Control: Heat and Control manufactures processing, conveying, and packaging equipment for snack food, prepared foods, and other food industries. It is a direct competitor to Shick Esteve in snack food and prepared foods ingredient handling automation.

Broad incumbents

• Bühler Group: Bühler is a Swiss global leader in food processing equipment across grain milling, baking, chocolate, and feed. Its ingredient handling and processing lines overlap with Shick Esteve's offerings but span a much broader processing footprint, making it a broader incumbent competitor.
• GEA Group: GEA is a large German industrial group serving food, dairy, beverage, and pharma end markets with processing lines, separators, and homogenizers. It is a broad incumbent offering full-line plant solutions that increasingly absorb ingredient automation into broader processing scopes.
• Tetra Pak: Tetra Pak is a Sweden-based global supplier of food processing and packaging solutions with strong presence in dairy, beverage, and prepared foods. It is a broad incumbent offering integrated processing lines that bundle ingredient handling into larger turnkey installations.
• Krones AG: Krones is a German global leader in beverage and liquid food processing and packaging. While primarily focused on liquid/beverage lines, its process technology and ingredient handling capabilities overlap with Shick Esteve's liquid ingredient handling and CIP offerings.
• Marel: Marel is an Icelandic global supplier of advanced food processing equipment for meat, poultry, fish, and other protein categories. It is a broad incumbent in food processing whose ingredient handling and dosing capabilities provide partial overlap with Shick Esteve's portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ShickEsteve
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/ShickEsteve
• Facebookfacebook.com/ShickEsteve
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shicksteve
• Instagraminstagram.com/shickesteve

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Shick Esteve