Spee-Dee History

1940s

The Spee-Dee Volumetric Cup Filler is Born

The Spee-Dee Volumetric Cup Filler is created by the Karstrum Co., located in Chicago, Illinois. The company later relocates to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

1968

The Karstrum Co. is purchased by franklin Electric.

1969

Jim Navin joins the Franklin Electric Company

Under General Manager Jim Navin, the plant manufactures labeling equipment for meat departments, and tables for the meat cutting and deli departments of supermarkets.

1981

Spee-Dee Packaging Machinery, Inc. is founded

Jim Navin and a minority partner purchase the supermarket equipment repair business from Franklin Electric Co. Spee-Dee Packaging Machinery, Inc. is founded when Jim Navin acquires the Spee-Dee product line from Franklin Electric Co. Spee-Dee moves into a new location and hires several former employees, including the Spee-Dee service manager.

1989

A new home and a new filling technology

Jim and his team grow the supermarket sales and service business and the Spee-Dee cup filler business. They buy and move to a new 10,000 square foot building. In late 1989, Spee-Dee buys a small California company that makes Stepper Motor driven auger fillers using PC controls, which introduces Spee-Dee to auger filling technology. Spee-Dee transitions from being a mechanical-focused company to an electro-mechanical-focused company.

1990s

A period of change

As technology changes, Servo motors replace Stepper motors, and PC controls are upgraded to more stable PLC controls. Companies take notice of Spee-Dee’s higher-tech servo motion, PLC, and touch screen controls.

Larger manufacturers and Fortune 500 companies are introduced to these improvements. They soon realize the more accurate, reliable and user-friendly Servo motors increase their ROI. Spee-Dee’s cup filler line is also upgraded using this advanced technology.

EARLY 2000s

A period of Application

Spee-Dee continues to meet the machine applications and opportunities presented by its customers. Electro Magnet Force Restoration (EMFR) weighing technology is used to develop the Spee-Dee line of checkweighers. The checkweigher works in conjunction with the fillers to compensate for product density changes. Multilane fillers are developed to meet the growth of cups and pods.  Single point controls allow operators to control their container/bag machine, filler and checkweigher all from a single touch screen.

Spee-Dee adds resources in PLC programing, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and design.  The increase in personnel and manufacturing requires additional office and shop space, which leads to the purchase of the present location, a 48,000 square foot office and manufacturing site. Most machining, welding, polishing and fabrication are done in-house.

2010s

Continued Growth and Development

Spee-Dee hires a new VP of Product Development and expands its research and engineering.  A high-speed, all-servo controlled rotary filler is added to meet the requirements of high speed rigid container filling. New products like Vacuum Tooling are created to control fluidizing products; ultra-hygienic fillers meet stringent pharma and dairy requirements, and stand-alone checkweighers provide a more convenient and affordable way to improve accuracy.
Spee-Dee is a family company with many employees having worked here for more than 20 years.
Jim Navin has retired from daily operations but remains Chairman.

Dave Navin is the current president. He started in the early 80’s while going to The University of Wisconsin’s School of Engineering. He worked full time in sales until he left to start an IT company in 1995. He returned in 2008 to lead product development.

Paul Navin joined Spee-Dee shortly after graduating from Marquette University’s School of Business in 1991. He became Operations Manager in 2001.

Mark Navin joined Spee-Dee in 1995 after graduating from St Olaf College with a degree in Economics and Marketing. He reports to the VP Sales and Marketing as the Strategic Accounts Manager and works with many of largest customers.

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