MFT Automation

What MFT Automation does

MFT Automation (legal entity Multifeeder Technology, Inc.) is a St. Paul, Minnesota-based manufacturer of custom and integrated industrial automation systems founded in 1996 by the Nordling family and led by CEO Neal Nordling. The company designs and builds friction feeders (IP3, V3 Signature, HCP, and Hygienic Washdown series), pressure-sensitive labelers (Impresso, HSM, Print and Apply), and complete integrated systems for pharmaceutical, food, medical, printing/packaging, and cannabis end-markets. Core technology centers on brushless servo motor drives, including a patented tri-motor 103hsm+ drive system with Pel Air pneumatic micro-tension control, and a patented Lead-Edge Registration system for booklet-to-web applications. Hygienic product variants carry IP67 and NEMA4X certifications with Type 304 stainless steel construction to meet food and pharmaceutical sanitation requirements.

The company operates a hybrid go-to-market combining direct enterprise field sales (with technical application managers and quote-based custom system pricing) and a global channel program of OEM partners, distributors, value-added resellers, and system integrators. Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales of new equipment, with recurring revenue streams from a Parts Portal, factory recertified used equipment sales, and technical support and field service. Payment terms on custom systems follow a 55/35/balance structure with letter of credit on the final payment, indicating sizable contract values typical of capital equipment sales. MFT has grown to over 60 employees, maintains active trade show presence at Pack Expo International and Loupe Americas, and is a member of PMMI and NPES industry associations. The 2021 rebrand from Multifeeder Technology to MFT Automation signaled a strategic repositioning toward broader system-solution capabilities beyond its original feeder-focused product line.

Name

MFT Automation

Legal name

Multifeeder Technology, Inc.

Website

https://mftautomation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

MFT Automation manufactures custom friction feeders, pressure-sensitive labelers, and integrated automation systems for pharmaceutical, food, medical, printing, and packaging industries. The family-owned company is headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, employs 60+ people, and sells globally via direct sales and OEM/distributor channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Equipment

NAICS

Packaging Machinery Manufacturing (333993), Food Product Machinery Manufacturing (333241)

SIC

Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550)

akta.pro primary industry

Conveying, Feeding & Accumulation Systems (Packaging Lines) (IMAHAOAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

End-of-Line Integration & Packaging Line Systems (IMAHAOAN), Bagging, Pouching & Sachet Packaging Equipment (IMAHAOAH)

Keywords

• Friction feeders
• Industrial labelers
• Packaging automation
• Pharmaceutical packaging equipment
• Food packaging machinery

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Paul

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Automation Equipment Sales: Custom and integrated industrial automation solutions including friction feeders, labelers, and complete system solutions. Equipment ranges from standard models to fully custom-engineered systems.
2. Aftermarket Parts & Accessories: Spare parts sold through online Parts Portal for existing customers. Includes replacement belts, stripper wheels, and other consumables.
3. Factory Recertified Equipment: Refurbished and recertified used equipment sold at reduced prices. Equipment inspected, repaired, refurbished and rigorously tested before resale.
4. Technical Support & Field Service: On-site installation, training, troubleshooting and technical phone support. Includes warranty and non-warranty repair services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

MFT Automation manufactures industrial friction feeders, pressure-sensitive labelers, and integrated automation systems for high-speed feeding, labeling, and product handling on production lines. The company sells standalone equipment (IP3, V3, HCP, and Hygienic Washdown friction feeders; Impresso and HSM labelers), integrated systems (Track & Trace, Thermal Transfer, Bagger, Booklet to Web), and complementary components such as automatic product loaders, collators, and vacuum conveyors, primarily serving pharmaceutical, medical, food, and print/packaging manufacturers.

Product overview

MFT Automation (formerly Multifeeder Technology) is a hardware-focused industrial automation company offering a portfolio of friction feeders, labelers, integrated systems, and components primarily for pharmaceutical, food, and print/packaging industries. The product portfolio centers on Industrial Performance (IP3) and Signature (V3) Series friction feeders with various configurations including Hygienic Washdown models for food applications; Impresso and High-Speed Modular (HSM) labeler lines for pressure-sensitive labeling; and Total System Solutions combining feeders, labelers, conveyors, and thermal transfer printers into turnkey automation lines. System components like Automatic Product Loaders, Drop Tables, Collators, and Vacuum Track Conveyors integrate with core feeders. The company also provides complementary services including a Parts Portal for spare parts ordering, video demo testing, and factory recertified used equipment. Products are designed for high-speed, precision feeding and labeling of flat products including pharmaceutical packaging, food items, and printed materials.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IP3 Industrial Performance Series Friction Feeders Industrial Performance Series friction feeders available in multiple sizes (250, 350, 550, 750, 950), designed for constant, reliable production and demanding applications. Used standalone or integrated into production systems.
• V3 Signature Series Friction Feeders Signature Series friction feeders (250v, 350v, 550v) featuring state-of-the-art control technology and robust mechanics for nearly any application.
• HCP High Continuous Performance Friction Feeders Friction feeders designed for continuous high-performance feeding applications with automatic product loader integration and slider technology for extended operation without interruption.
• Hygienic Washdown Friction Feeders Clean-in-place (CIP) friction feeders engineered with Type 304 stainless steel, FDA-compliant materials, and IP67/NEMA4X certifications for aggressive washdown environments in food and pharmaceutical applications.
• 103HSM+ Labeler High-performance label applicator with three independently powered synchronized 3-axis servo drive motors for unwind, rewind, and drive. Features Air Pel pneumatic actuators for micro-tension control and reaches speeds up to 200 meters per minute with up to 20 inch diameter label rolls.
• 102HSM Labeler High-Speed Modular labeler designed for demanding pressure-sensitive labeling applications across industries.
• Impresso Labeler Series High-performance pressure-sensitive labeler with independently powered 1000-watt brushless servo motor for repeatable accuracy, multi-sensor trigger integration, and a compact flexible design for standalone or integrated use.
• Print and Apply Labelers Print and apply labeler system (150PA) that prints and adheres labels to flat surfaces with modular design supporting different print engines.
• Loose Loop Labeler Labeler designed specifically for loose loop labeling applications.
• Hygienic Washdown Labeler Labeler engineered for sanitary environments with washdown capabilities to meet food and pharmaceutical application requirements.
• Impresso Bottle Label Applicator Impresso-based labeling system designed for precise bottle labeling across pharmaceutical and consumer packaged goods applications.
• Impresso Bucket Label Applicator Impresso-based labeling system engineered for applying labels to buckets and similar container formats.
• Track and Trace System Turnkey serialization handling system combining friction feeders with driven discharge, coding/printing, inspection, and a reject system to produce a trackable data file. Uses infrared sensing for accurate counting via double-detect and overlap detection.
• Thermal Transfer Print System Integrated system that combines friction feeders with a thermal transfer printer using melted coating ribbon technology that bonds ink to surface, suitable for Tyvek and water-resistant materials in medical device packaging with gamma irradiation compatibility.
• Booklet to Web System System for tipping and applying booklet labels to webs using patented Lead-Edge Registration technology that eliminates product skewing.
• Automatic Bagger with APL System Integrated bagging system combining an automatic product loader with bagging machinery for high-speed packaging operations.
• Automatic Product Loader (APL) Automatic product loader that feeds products into friction feeders with sensor-triggered shingled feeding, expanding line capacity.
• Automatic Drop Table System component for dropping and transferring products at controlled intervals within an automated production line.
• High Speed Collator High-speed collating system that combines multiple products or sheets into organized sets for downstream packaging.
• VacTrac Discharge Vacuum-based discharge system that secures products onto belts for controlled transfer within an automated line.
• Vacuum Track Conveyor (VTC) Conveyor system using vacuum technology to securely transport and align products along a production line.
• Total System Solutions Custom-engineered turnkey automation lines combining friction feeders, labelers, conveyors, and downstream equipment into integrated solutions tailored to specific production requirements.
• Parts Portal Online ordering portal for existing customers to purchase spare parts and accessories, including replacement belts, stripper wheels, and other consumables.
• Used and Factory Recertified Equipment Refurbished and recertified used equipment, including friction feeders, labelers, and system components, available for purchase at reduced prices compared to new equipment.
• Technical Support and Field Service Aftermarket support including on-site installation, training, troubleshooting, technical phone support, and warranty and non-warranty repair services performed at MFT's facility.

Quantifiable outcome

• Accuracy improved from +/- 2mm to +/- 0.5mm at 20,000 units/hour
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• PMMI (The Association of Packing and Processing Technologies)coreOthersMFT Automation is a proud member of PMMI, an industry organization for packing and processing technology suppliers. Membership demonstrates commitment to industry leadership and allows monitoring of industry trends.
• NPES (The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies)coreOthersMFT Automation maintains membership in NPES, the association for printing and publishing technology suppliers. Supports industry communication and innovation initiatives.
• Global System Integrators & OEMscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMFT maintains relationships with system integrators, machinery manufacturers, and OEMs worldwide. Partners in OEM or distributor programs receive considerable discounts and priority technical support and service.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Quadrel Labeling Systems: Manufacturer of pressure-sensitive labeling systems serving pharmaceutical, food, and consumer goods. Closely comparable on Impresso/HSM-style labeler product line and regulated-industry customer base.
• Universal Labeling Systems: Manufacturer of pressure-sensitive labeling equipment with similar customer focus on pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetics. Comparable product category and quote-based custom equipment model.
• EPI Labelers: Manufacturer of pressure-sensitive labeling equipment serving similar pharmaceutical, food, and consumer goods customers. Closely comparable in product category and quote-based custom model.
• CTM Labeling Systems: Specialty manufacturer of labeling machinery including pressure-sensitive label applicators. Direct peer in labeler technology with overlapping pharmaceutical and consumer goods customers.
• Streamfeeder: Direct competitor in industrial friction feeders with overlapping product lines for pharmaceutical, printing, and packaging applications. Most comparable on core feeder technology and target verticals.

Broad incumbents

• Mark Andy: Established narrow-web printing and converting press manufacturer with adjacent finishing and labeling solutions. Larger incumbent serving overlapping printing and packaging customers.
• Krones AG: Global leader in packaging and bottling machinery for food, beverage, and pharmaceutical end markets. Massive incumbent whose integrated line solutions increasingly absorb niche feeder/labeler categories.
• Accraply: A Barry-Wehmiller company offering a broad portfolio of labeling and converting equipment. Larger, well-capitalized incumbent competing in similar end markets with wider product breadth.
• ID Technology (ProMach): ProMach subsidiary specializing in labeling, coding, and marking systems. PE-backed integrator offering turnkey solutions that include components overlapping MFT's feeder and labeler portfolio.

Emerging players

• Primera Technology: Specialty manufacturer of label printers and applicators for shorter-run production. Comparable product category (label applicators) but more focused on lower-volume/lower-speed segments than MFT's industrial offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MFT_Automation
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/MFTAutomation
• Facebookfacebook.com/MFTAutomation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mft-automation
• Instagraminstagram.com/mftautomation

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about MFT Automation