Reading Bakery Systems is expanding its Science & Innovation Center with a third pilot production line, increasing capacity for customer product development trials and equipment testing.
The expansion adds a pilot line for pretzels and bread snacks, allowing the existing flexible snack line to focus on sheeted products. Together with the Center’s cookie line, the new configuration provides three pilot lines capable of producing rotary moulded and wirecut cookies, sheeted snacks, and low-pressure-extruded pretzels and bread snacks. By reducing equipment changeovers, RBS can accommodate more customer trials, offer greater scheduling flexibility, and shorten lead times.
Expanding product development capacity
“Expanding the Science & Innovation Center with a third pilot line allows us to work with more customers, reduce wait times for trials, and provide faster access to the technical expertise and resources needed to bring new ideas to market,” said Cameron Johnston, senior director of innovation at RBS.
At the Science & Innovation Center, bakery and snack manufacturers work with RBS experts to develop new products, optimise processes, address manufacturing challenges, and prepare for commercial-scale production. The Center’s pilot equipment supports a wide range of products, including pretzels, bread snacks, baked chips, biscuits, cookies, crackers, and pet treats.
Supporting commercial-scale production
Additional resources include five continuous mixers, SCORPION® thermal profiling technology, and advanced quality control equipment. These capabilities help customers validate formulations, refine processes, and scale products more efficiently while reducing development risk.
“Our goal has always been to be more than an equipment supplier; we strive to be a trusted partner in our customers’ success,” said Chip Czulada, CEO of Reading Bakery Systems. “This investment reflects our continued commitment to helping manufacturers innovate by combining process expertise with the capabilities needed to turn new ideas into commercial products.”
