CHL Systems

What CHL Systems does

CHL Systems is a privately held, family-owned industrial automation company founded in 1957 and headquartered in Souderton, Pennsylvania. The firm designs, engineers, fabricates, and installs custom automation equipment for food processing, protein and meat handling, pet food, baking and confectionery, pharmaceutical, steel, and general manufacturing customers. Its product portfolio is organized around three capability pillars: MOVE (material handling and conveyance systems, including sanitary stainless steel conveyors and food-safe hydraulic dumpers), MAKE (production processing equipment spanning mixing, cooking, baking, and forming), and PACK (robotic pick-place-pack and palletizing solutions). Technical differentiation is delivered through servo-driven precision control, PLC-based systems (Allen-Bradley ControlLogix, Siemens), vision-based quality inspection (Cognex), and integration of partner technologies (Staubli SCARA robots, FANUC arms, Intralox sorters, AmbaFlex spiralveyors).

The company serves a customer base that includes Hershey, JBS, Bell & Evans, Clemens Food Group, Campbell, Cargill, GODIVA, Jennie-O, Just Born, John Morrell, Air Products, Sealed Air, and ArcelorMittal, among other Fortune 500 and mid-market food producers. Revenue is generated through three streams: (1) custom equipment design and manufacturing sold on a project basis, (2) design-and-build engineering and integration services, and (3) recurring technical services, millwrighting, and replacement parts. Pricing is quote-based and project-specific with no public list pricing, and the go-to-market is enterprise field sales supplemented by a strong referral network built over decades. The firm employs approximately 140 people with an average tenure of roughly 20 years, and has expanded its footprint with a Texas sales and service office in Grapevine. CHL is led by CEO Mike Giagnacova, CFO Kevin Alderfer, and General Manager Bryan Stout, with no external investors or parent company.

Name

CHL Systems

Legal name

CHL Systems Inc

Website

http://chlsystems.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1957

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

CHL Systems is a family-owned industrial automation company founded in 1957 that designs, builds, and installs custom equipment for material handling, food processing, and packaging, primarily serving Fortune 500 food manufacturers including Hershey, JBS, and Campbell.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Equipment

NAICS

Food Product Machinery Manufacturing (333241), Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (333310)

SIC

General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560), Misc Industrial & Commercial Machinery & Equipment (3590)

akta.pro primary industry

Chemical Processing Equipment (Reactors, Mixers, Agitators) (IMAHAEAA)

Keywords

• Custom industrial automation
• Food processing equipment
• Material handling systems
• Robotic packaging solutions
• Conveyor systems manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Souderton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Equipment Design and Manufacturing: CHL designs, builds, and installs custom automation equipment and systems that move materials, make products, and pack merchandise. Equipment includes conveyor systems, robotic packaging solutions, processing equipment, and custom-built machinery for food processing applications.
2. Design and Build Services: Engineering services for mechanical systems, robotics, and equipment needs from design concept to turnkey implementation. Includes custom engineering, system integration, and comprehensive project management.
3. Technical Services and Parts: Millwrighting, mechanical installation, maintenance services, and replacement parts to extend equipment life and minimize downtime. Hundreds of years of collective experience in installation and support services.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CHL Systems designs, builds, and installs custom industrial automation equipment for food processing and manufacturing facilities. Its portfolio centers on three capability pillars—MOVE (conveyance and material handling), MAKE (production processing equipment), and PACK (robotic pick-place-pack and palletizing)—supported by design, integration, robotic automation, technical services, and replacement parts offerings. The company primarily serves food processors (meat/poultry, confectionery, pet food, baking), pharmaceutical manufacturers, and select industrial customers.

Product overview

CHL Systems provides custom automation solutions for food manufacturing as a single unified offering built around three core capability pillars: MOVE (material handling and conveyance systems), MAKE (production processing equipment), and PACK (robotic pick-place-pack and palletizing). The portfolio includes specialized equipment such as the Cookie Curling System, Meat Stick Singulation System, Automated Case Packing System (ACPS), High-Speed Can-Filling System, Steam Cooker Systems, Patty Line Automation, Rib Line Trimming and Classifying Systems, and Advanced Inclusions Delivery Systems. Supporting services include Design and Build Engineering, Integration, Robotic Automation, Conveyance, Technical Services, and Replacement Parts. The company operates as an automation equipment manufacturer delivering end-to-end solutions from concept to installation, primarily serving food processing, protein/meat handling, pet food, baking, confectionery, and pharmaceutical industries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MOVE Solutions (Material Handling & Conveyance) Advanced conveyor systems, material handling equipment, and automated transfer solutions that transport raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished products throughout production facilities. Includes sanitary stainless steel conveyors, multi-level transfer conveyors, and food-safe hydraulic dumpers, designed for food manufacturing customers.
• MAKE Solutions (Production Processing Equipment) Equipment that facilitates transformation of raw materials into finished products, including systems for formulation, mixing, blending, cooking, baking, and molding, incorporating cutting-edge technology for precision, consistency, and efficiency in food and pharmaceutical production.
• PACK Solutions (Robotic Pick-Place-Pack & Palletize) Cutting-edge packaging solutions encompassing the entire packaging process from filling, wrapping, and sealing to boxing and palletizing. Includes robotic automation for primary and secondary packaging with automated case packing systems, targeting food and consumer goods manufacturers.
• Box Handling System Comprehensive automation solution for case and tote handling processes featuring over 3,700 linear feet of conveyor systems with dual-purpose design for empty case delivery and full case takeaway. Integrates Intralox DARB Sorter S4500 for high-precision sorting and AmbaFlex SpiralVeyor SV-Series for vertical transport, primarily serving poultry and protein processors.
• Automated Case Packing System (ACPS) Sophisticated robotic case packing solution featuring four Staubli SCARA robots with food-grade lubricants, Cognex vision system for quality inspection, automatic case erector and sealer, and integrated conveyor system. Processes at 24 trays per minute with 5 cases per minute packing rate, designed for confectionery and food manufacturers.
• Meat Stick Singulation System Custom automated singulation system that indexes 1-oz. and 0.5-oz. meat sticks into precise lanes, delivering them from bulk hopper to pick-and-place robot at 360 pieces per minute. Features servo-driven star-wheel feeding mechanism with coordinated three-axis servo control, designed for protein and snack producers.
• High-Speed Can-Filling System High-speed automation system achieving 700 cans per minute for large can sizes, handling fill volumes from 80 grams to 22 ounces. Features No Can No Fill system, gradual cam system for noise reduction, and stainless steel wire mesh safety guarding, targeting soup and canned food producers.
• Steam Cooker System Automated steam cooker system with stainless steel construction, modular conveyor belts, multiple cooking zones, advanced steam distribution and exhaust systems, and integrated cleaning systems. Achieves cooking process rate up to 12,500 lbs./hour, designed for pet food manufacturers.
• Patty Line Automation Custom patty handling conveyor system that merges patty slugs from multiple forming machines onto a single conveyor line. Handles 2 oz. and 4 oz. patty sizes at 6.25-6.28 slugs per minute, with PLC control systems and VFD-controlled motors, designed for meat processing customers.
• Rib Line Trimming and Classifying System Multi-phase custom solution for pork rib processing including St. Louis rib line and Baby Back rib line upgrades. Features in-motion trimming lines, Vande Berg in-motion scales for weight-based classification (0.01 lb. accuracy), and pneumatic product diverts achieving 32 pieces per minute (St. Louis) and 36 pieces per minute (Baby Back), for pork processors.
• Advanced Inclusions Delivery System Custom system for accurate delivery of frozen chicken and cranberry inclusions into pet food production lines. Features stainless steel construction, de-clumping mechanisms, precision augers, and Intralox smooth thermoplastic belt conveyors, integrating Keltech TENV motors and Boston IP69 reducers.
• Cookie Curling System Innovative multi-component system for transforming delicate molded food products into commercial-scale curved configurations. Features custom modular plastic belt system with servo-driven technology, gentle product handling innovations, and integrated Clean-in-Place (CIP) devices for sanitary design.
• Candy Packaging Line Upgrade Comprehensive upgrade of three packaging lines for a major candy producer, including auto dumpers, bin conveyors, rotary screen systems, fillers, metal detectors, check weighers, case packers, shrink wrappers, and spiral elevators, achieving packaging rates up to 450 cartons per minute.
• Pharma Batching Tanks Custom pharmaceutical batching system including 3,000L primary mixing tank (ASME rated with jacketed heating/cooling), 3,000L secondary holding tank, and 250L buffer tank. Features Siemens PLC with touch screen HMI, automatic valve control, and stainless steel construction rated for full wash down, for liquid OTC pharmaceutical producers.
• Design and Build Engineering Custom engineering for mechanical systems, robotics, and equipment needs from design concept to turnkey implementation. Covers comprehensive project lifecycle including fabrication and installation for food, pharmaceutical, and industrial manufacturers.
• Integration Services Delivers custom-engineered equipment for moving, making, and packing products while integrating new and existing equipment seamlessly into production lines for food and industrial manufacturers.
• Robotic Automation Services Expert guidance in selecting the right robotics solutions to achieve optimal results for process applications, helping customers navigate robotics and automation technologies.
• Conveyance Services Engineering and development of conveyance systems that transport products at specifications required for optimal production performance.
• Technical Services Comprehensive millwrighting, mechanical installation, and maintenance services leveraging hundreds of years of collective experience, for food and industrial manufacturers.
• Replacement Parts Tailored replacement parts for production systems that extend equipment life and minimize downtime, for food and industrial manufacturers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Throughput increased to 700 cans per minute for large can sizes
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers26 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IntraloxcoreTechnology or Integration · 5 June 2024CHL partnered with Intralox to deliver best-in-class box handling solutions for Bell & Evans' award-winning chicken harvesting facility. The collaboration leveraged Intralox's DARB Sorter S4500 technology with Dual-Stacked Angled Roller Belt technology for gentle 90-degree product transfers. This partnership contributed to Bell & Evans receiving Food Engineering's 2022 Plant of the Year award.
• ArcelorMittalminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 December 2017CHL partnered with long-time steel customer ArcelorMittal on a soft cooling system developed by ArcelorMittal's Global R&D team. CHL provided design refinements through SolidWorks applications, manufacturing, and factory acceptance testing.
• Matrix TechnologiesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCHL collaborated with Matrix Technologies for electrical work and PLC programming on the high-speed soup filling project. CHL led mechanical design while Matrix handled electrical and programming aspects.
• StaublicoreTechnology or IntegrationCHL selected Staubli robots for their Automated Case Packing System due to precision and food-grade compatibility. Implemented 4 Staubli SCARA robots with food-grade lubricants for tray handling and protective sheet insertion.
• CognexcoreTechnology or IntegrationCHL integrated Cognex vision system for quality inspection in the automated case packing system. The system includes specialized lighting with red external light and LED configuration to manage product reflections, real-time tray orientation verification, and automated quality inspection for missing or defective products.
• FANUCcoreTechnology or IntegrationCHL utilized FANUC M-410iC robotic arm with vacuum suction system for robotic palletizing applications in food processing facilities.
• Allen-Bradley (Rockwell Automation)coreTechnology or IntegrationCHL developed comprehensive control systems featuring Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and safety processors for automated packaging lines. Implemented user-friendly HMI with 12-inch touchscreen for intuitive system management.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Heat and Control: Global manufacturer of food processing and packaging equipment with strong presence in protein, snack, and prepared foods. Directly comparable product portfolio and target customer base, including integrated cooking, conveying, and packaging lines.
• ProMach: Leading US provider of packaging and processing equipment for food, beverage, and consumer goods manufacturers. ProMach is a closely comparable custom automation integrator serving the same food processing customer base with a broader multi-brand portfolio.
• Brenton Engineering: US-based manufacturer of custom end-of-line packaging machinery for food, beverage, and consumer products. Comparable as a domestic custom packaging equipment provider serving the same protein and confectionery customer segments as CHL.
• Marlen International: US-based manufacturer of custom food processing equipment including pumps, fillers, and portioning systems. Directly comparable as a specialized mid-sized food machinery provider serving meat and prepared food processors.
• JLS Automation: Specialist in robotic packaging automation for food, pharmaceutical, and consumer products. Closely comparable in robotic pick-and-place, case packing, and food-grade automation solutions used by similar food processing customers.
• Lyco Manufacturing: US manufacturer of food processing equipment including cookers, blanchers, and washers used in canning, soup, and prepared food production. Directly comparable in food processing machinery serving similar industrial customers.
• Raque Food Systems: Family-owned US manufacturer of custom food processing and packaging equipment, particularly for soup, sauce, and ready-meal producers. Directly comparable as a similarly positioned family-operated custom food machinery specialist.

Broad incumbents

• Tetra Pak: Global leader in food processing and packaging solutions with comparable presence in soup, beverage, and prepared food processing. A broader incumbent with end-to-end processing and aseptic packaging capabilities serving many of CHL's customer accounts.
• Marel: Iceland-based global leader in food processing equipment for meat, poultry, fish, and dairy. A broader incumbent serving the same protein end markets as CHL with significantly larger scale, broader geographic reach, and standardized platform offerings.
• GEA Group: German global food processing equipment and technology conglomerate with deep presence in dairy, meat, beverage, and prepared foods. A broader incumbent with substantially larger scale and standardized equipment lines targeting many of the same customers as CHL.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

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 CHL Systems