R.A Jones

Name

R.A Jones

Legal name

R.A Jones & Co.

Website

https://rajones.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1905

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

R.A Jones, founded in 1905 and headquartered in Covington, KY, designs and manufactures primary and secondary packaging machinery — including cartoners, chub, multipacking, pouching, aerosol filling, and cup sealing equipment — for food, beverage, pharmaceutical, personal care, home care, and industrial manufacturers globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Packaging Machinery

NAICS

Packaging Machinery Manufacturing (333993)

SIC

Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550)

akta.pro primary industry

Cartoning & Case Packing Systems (IMAHAOAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Filling & Dosing Machines (Liquid/Powder/Solid) (IMAHAOAF), Bagging, Pouching & Sachet Packaging Machines (IMALAOAJ)

Keywords

• Packaging machinery
• Cartoning machines
• Multipacking equipment
• Chub packaging
• Aerosol filling

Headquarters

HQ city

Covington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Packaging Machinery Sales: R.A Jones designs, engineers, and manufactures packaging machinery including cartoning machines, chub packaging equipment, multipackers, pouching machines, aerosol filling machines, and cup sealing machines. Equipment ranges from mid-speed to high-speed industrial machinery with prices typically negotiated through sales consultation. Core revenue stream from machine sales and installation.
2. Parts and Materials: Aftermarket replacement parts manufactured to original machine specifications, available through Coesia WebShop. Includes preventative maintenance kits tailored to specific machines. Parts ordering provides real-time availability, estimated delivery, and technical compatibility information.
3. Service Contracts: Three-tiered service offering: Performance Start (corrective and inspection care), Performance Sustain (preventive and predictive care), and Performance Increase (full-service contract with AI-driven anomaly detection, dedicated maintenance manager, and inventory management). Service tiers include priority access to technicians, remote support, on-site service, and benchmarking insights.
4. Equipment Modernization: Upgrades and modifications to existing equipment including control system upgrades, changeover kits, format modifications, safety components, and complete rebuilds. Dedicated project management team supports modernization from planning through integration.
5. OEE Consulting Services: Overall Equipment Effectiveness consulting with three packages: Foundation, Advanced, and Comprehensive. Includes audits, machine condition reports, and performance optimization recommendations.
6. Training and Documentation: PMMI certified training for operators and maintenance staff, available on-site or hybrid. Includes clear hands-on instructions, best practices, user manuals, maintenance schedules and procedures.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

R.A Jones designs, engineers, and manufactures primary and secondary packaging machinery including cartoning machines, multipacking systems, chub packaging equipment, aerosol fillers, and pouching/bagging equipment. The company sells these machines directly to enterprise manufacturers across the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, personal care, home care, and industrial sectors, complemented by aftermarket parts, maintenance service contracts, modernization, and PMMI-certified training.

Product overview

R.A Jones is a global manufacturer of primary and secondary packaging machinery with over 120 years of experience, operating as part of Coesia Group. The company offers a broad portfolio organized into core machinery categories: cartoning machines (Celestion MTX top-load platform, Alterion CL-170 medium-speed end-load cartoner, Criterion family end-load cartoners, and the legacy CMV-150 vertical cartoner); multipacking machines (Meridian XR, Meridian MPSC-210, Maxim MPS-150, Maxim MPDC-200, and Wraptor SHW-250 sustainable multipacker); chub packaging machines (KartridgPak CH-70 and CH-150); aerosol filling equipment (KP-Aerofill); and pouching equipment (Pouch King and Volpak). Supporting the machinery portfolio are add-on automation modules including the Automatic Magazine Loader (AML), Intelligent Flexible Transfer System (iFTS), Acc-U-Change validated changeover systems, and the Coesia Optimate HMI interface. The company also operates dedicated in-house testing labs for carton loading and pouching. A full lifecycle service ecosystem complements the hardware: the North America Customer Service Hub provides unified support, while service tiers (Performance Start, Performance Sustain, Performance Increase) cover preventative maintenance, OEE consulting, equipment modernization, parts supply via the Coesia WebShop, and PMMI-certified training programs. This integrated approach combines R.A Jones equipment with Coesia sister-company technologies and third-party solutions to deliver complete packaging line integration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KartridgPak: Chub packaging machines with over 70 years of expertise and over 1,000 machines shipped globally. Known for reliability, precision, and cost-effective metal clips formed from wire spools.
• Criterion
• Celestion MTX
• Meridian
• Maxim
• Wraptor
• Alterion
• CMV-150
• KP-Aerofill
• Pouch King
• Optimate

Products and services

• Celestion MTX Top-Load Cartoner Complete modular top-load cartoning platform that loads flow wraps, pouches, round products, and more into cartons and trays in single-unit, multipack, variety-pack, and kit configurations. Supports paperboard and corrugate with tool-free changeovers in under 10 minutes.
• Alterion CL-170 Mid-Speed Cartoner Mid-speed end-load cartoner built on Criterion platform principles for co-packers and growing companies with diverse product mix. Runs up to 170 cartons per minute; accommodates carton sizes from 5x1x4.25 in to 10x6.5x14 in with quick and repeatable changeovers.
• KartridgPak CH-70 Chub Packaging Machine Mid-speed chub packaging machine with direct-drive servo technology, stainless steel construction, Optimate HMI, and no electrical cabinet (MX-System). Runs up to 70 chubs per minute for mid-volume producers transitioning from manual clipping.
• CMV-150 Continuous Motion Vertical Cartoner 5th-generation continuous motion vertical cartoner with automation levels from manual to fully automatic loading. Speeds up to 150 cpm; handles cartons from 1 to 8 inch length, 1 to 4.25 inch width, up to 9.5 inch depth. Over 1,000 machines installed since 1929.
• Criterion Cartoning Family (CL-240, CL-300, CLi-100) End-load cartoners in the Criterion family with production rates from 30 to 600 cartons per minute, handling single or multiple products per package. Longstanding brand serving major consumer product manufacturers.
• KP-Aerofill Aerosol Filling and Crimping Equipment Aerosol filling and crimping machines with over 60 years of engineering and manufacturing experience for multiple applications including chemical emulsions and viscous products.
• Meridian XR MPS-300 High-Speed Multipacker High-speed multipacking system running up to 345 PPM with tool-less changeovers, supporting 4- to 30-pack formats across a wide container range. Includes Optimate operator interface and ergonomic low-level magazine.
• Maxim MPS-150 Multipacker Multipacking system for complex products including heavy boards and glass bottles, running up to 150 PPM with partition dividers, Acc-U-Change verified changeover, airframe carton opening, and walk-in access. Handles up to 24 large-diameter bottles.
• Maxim MPDC-200 Large-Format Multipacker Large-format multipacker running up to 200 PPM supporting double-tier packs up to 48 cans. Features Orbi-Trak slip sheet feeding, airframe carton opening, and walk-in access.
• Meridian MPSC-210 Compact Multipacker Compact multipacker reaching 210 PPM in 4-24 pack formats for 7.5-19.2 oz cans. Features servo-driven dual pitch transport and direct-load technology in a space-conscious footprint.
• Wraptor SHW-250 Sustainable Multipacker Sustainable glue-less multipacking machine replacing plastic hi-cone packaging with 100% paperboard. Runs up to 250 PPM with neck-through or over-the-crown wraps for bottles and cans from 7.5 to 24 oz.
• Pouch King High-Speed Pouching Equipment High-speed sachet/pouching equipment for flat and stand-up flexible pouches. Partnership with watttron enables sustainable film sealing technology; lab capabilities support recyclable material testing at up to 2,000 pouches per minute.
• Volpak Pouching Equipment Flexible pouch machines for flat and stand-up pouches; sold and supported by R.A Jones as part of its Coesia Systems portfolio.
• Cup Sealing Machines (Autoprod/Holmatic) Linear and rotary cup sealing machines built on Autoprod and Holmatic brand legacy. Speeds from 10 to 750 containers per minute; serves dairy, dry foods, fruits and vegetables, pods and capsules, wet foods, and other products.
• Parts and Materials (OEM Replacement Parts) OEM replacement parts manufactured to original machine specifications, available through the Coesia WebShop 3.0 with real-time availability, estimated delivery, and technical compatibility information. Backed by a 20-year availability guarantee.
• Maintenance Service Contracts (Performance Start, Sustain, Increase) Three-tier service offering covering corrective/inspection care, preventive/predictive care, and full-service contracts with AI-driven anomaly detection, dedicated maintenance manager, and inventory management. Includes remote support, on-site service, and benchmarking insights.
• Equipment Modernization Modifications and upgrades to existing equipment including format changes, automation upgrades, control system updates, complete rebuilds, and safety enhancements. Dedicated project management team ensures smooth execution from planning through integration.
• OEE Consulting Services Overall Equipment Effectiveness consulting to optimize production. Three packages (Assess, Implement, Transform) covering single machines to full plant operations, including audits, machine condition reports, and performance optimization recommendations.
• Training and Documentation PMMI-certified on-site and hybrid training for operators and maintenance staff; includes user manuals, maintenance schedules, and procedures. Chub machine training also available at the Davenport, Iowa facility with hands-on clipping head training models.
• North America Customer Service Hub Centralized service hub providing unified customer care for ACMA, Citus Kalix, MGS, Norden, R.A Jones, and Volpak customers across North America via a single phone and email contact point.

Quantifiable outcome

• Zero downtime achieved for GreenSeed External Manufacturing with Alterion CL-170 running at 120 cpm
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature14 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.

• Melink SolarminorOthers · 16 July 2024Melink Solar collaborated on the design, build, and installation of nearly 4,000 solar power panels at R.A Jones Covington facility. Project scope included solar installation and six electric vehicle charging stations. Completed July 16, 2024.
• Coesia GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Coesia is the parent company of R.A Jones, providing global resources, shared technology platforms, and organizational support. Coesia North America Customer Service Hub consolidates customer service functions for multiple Coesia brands (ACMA, Citus Kalix, MGS, Norden, R.A Jones, Volpak) into a single unified support structure. R.A Jones participates in eCoesia sustainability initiative targeting 100% renewable electricity by 2030.
• watttronflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with watttron led to breakthrough innovation in pouch packaging technology. Collaboration created the Pouch Lab opening at R.A Jones facility, enabling testing of sustainable pouching materials with zero downtime. watttron's heat sealing technology combined with R.A Jones Pouch King equipment enables recyclable material processing at up to 2,000 pouches per minute.
• NestlécoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNestlé collaborated with R.A Jones and watttron on special presentation at Global Pouch Forum (June 18-20) discussing the sustainable pouch technology partnership. Joint customer relationship demonstrating co-development of sustainable packaging solutions.
• BeckhoffcoreTechnology or IntegrationBeckhoff provides the MX-System automation hardware platform used in the KartridgPak CH-70 machine, enabling it to be Coesia's first globally electrical cabinet-free machine. Direct drive servo technology from Beckhoff provides quicker and easier changeover capabilities.
• PMMI (Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute)minorOthersR.A Jones trainers are PMMI certified for operator and maintenance staff training programs. PMMI certification provides industry-standard training quality assurance for packaging machinery education.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Krones AG: German global leader in beverage packaging machinery, with overlapping cartoning, multipacking, and filling product lines. Krones targets the same F&B enterprise accounts with similarly long sales cycles, making it R.A Jones' most direct competitor in beverage packaging.
• Sidel: French PET beverage packaging solutions provider serving global beverage brands with complete line integration. Highly comparable enterprise B2B motion and customer overlap with R.A Jones' beverage multipacking and cartoning offerings.
• IMA (Industria Macchine Automatiche): Italian packaging machinery conglomerate with strong positions in pharma, food, and personal care packaging, including cartoning, filling, and end-of-line. Directly comparable to R.A Jones' product mix and Italian ownership heritage analogous to Coesia.
• Syntegon (formerly Bosch Packaging Technology): German broad-line packaging machinery manufacturer covering cartoning, filling, pouching, and processing for food and pharma. Direct competitor across multiple of R.A Jones' technology platforms including chub-style filling and cartoning.
• ProMach: US-based packaging machinery integrator with extensive North American footprint and broad product portfolio across filling, labeling, cartoning, and end-of-line. Closest US-headquartered comparable in scale and distribution model.
• Multivac: German packaging solutions provider specializing in thermoforming, cartoning, and labeling for food, medical, and consumer goods. Comparable in serving similar CPG and regulated-industry customers with integrated packaging lines.
• Harpak-ULMA: North American supplier of cartoning, flow wrapping, tray sealing, and thermoforming packaging machinery. Direct peer in secondary packaging technology targeting food manufacturers and co-packers.
• Adco Manufacturing: US-based specialist in cartoning, case packing, and end-of-line packaging machinery for food, beverage, and personal care manufacturers. Highly comparable in product focus (cartoning and case packing) and mid-market US customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Tetra Pak: Swedish-Swiss carton packaging giant serving global beverage and food manufacturers with broader packaging-plus-processing portfolio. Competes on the packaging machinery side but operates at significantly greater scale and vertical integration.
• GEA Group: Large German diversified industrial machinery group with food processing and packaging equipment offerings. Adjacent incumbent with broader scope, overlapping in food/beverage and dairy processing machinery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 R.A Jones