Heidelberg Group has taken a significant step towards automation and efficiency in its bakery operations with the purchase of cutting-edge packaging equipment from Bradman Lake. The first order, placed in early 2020, included two LB90 Reciprocating Slicers and two IBPRO Bread Baggers, designed to streamline the packaging of tinned and free-bake bread. A second order followed in early 2025, featuring an additional LB90 reciprocating standalone Slicer, complete with powered outfeed deck and a hand-fed IBPRO Bun Bagger, further enhancing flexibility across production lines.
The LB90 reciprocating Slicer features a reciprocating blade system for efficient slicing with minimal crumb loss. These slicers are synchronized with the baggers, ensuring consistent feed rates and optimal line efficiency. The modular design allows for easy adjustments to slice thickness and even enables whole loaf bagging by removing the cutting frames.
LB90 Slicer Bread and Bun Slicer
Complementing the slicers, the IBPRO Bread Bagging Machine is recognized as the world’s most advanced bagging system, engineered for high-speed performance and minimal downtime. With ergonomic controls, it offers a complete solution for large-scale bakeries. Its dynamic inline system ensures smooth product transitions and precise bagging, accommodating a wide range of bread sizes, coupled with a three tray wicket changer for automatic bag changes, the IBPRO offers 24/7 operation and reliability.
IBPRO Bun Bagger
The second order includes a standalone LB90 slicer that is compatible with the initial two IBPRO Baggers, and new IBPRO Bun Bagger that supports hand-loading of sliced bread, offering a practical solution for managing excess production from the main bread lines.
Daniel Bissell, Vice President of Heidelberg Group, cited several reasons for choosing Bradman Lake: “We chose Bradman Lake because their packaging equipment met—and in many areas exceeded—our expectations. Their systems offer outstanding automation and flexibility to handle a variety of bread and bun sizes, along with a modular design that supports easy integration and scalability. Our experience with the first order was excellent, including a smooth and successful virtual Factory Acceptance Test (FAT). We also received exceptional support from Joey Barfe, Bradman Lake’s Technical Sales Manager, whose expertise in the bakery industry was instrumental throughout the process. Bradman Lake’s flexible systems have positioned us well to meet increasing production demands and adapt quickly to future needs.”
This strategic investment reinforces Heidelberg Group’s ongoing commitment to innovation and operational excellence in the bakery sector.
About Heidelberg Bread Company
Founded in Fly Creek, New York, Heidelberg Bread Company was established by Boyd Easton Bissell Sr., who apprenticed in some of Paris’s finest bakeries before bringing his passion for artisan bread back to the U.S. His vision was to offer a natural and flavorful alternative to mass-produced breads, using only the essential ingredients: flour, water, yeast, and salt. Today, Heidelberg Bread has expanded throughout the Northeast, offering 15 varieties of handcrafted bread that reflect old-world quality in a modern market.
About Bradman Lake
Established in 1948, Bradman Lake provides innovative packaging solutions to an international client base. The company is a leading designer and manufacturer of packing machinery and turnkey systems to the bakery & biscuit, chocolate & confectionery, dry foods, chilled and frozen foods, consumer, pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. In 2022 the company was awarded the prestigious Queens Award for Enterprise. Bradman Lake’s manufacturing plants are located at Beccles and Bristol in the UK and Rock Hill, SC, in the United States. Bradman Lake is a wholly owned subsidiary of the multi-disciplined UK engineering and manufacturing group, Langley Holdings plc.