LMC DIVERSIFIES TO MEET INDUSTRY NEEDS - June 1997

The downsizing trend that began in the early 1990's for American corporations did not by-pass the candy industry. Streamlining affected many areas within management including the engineering departments. As their engineering departments were streamlined, candy manufacturers found themselves having to contract larger and larger projects. For LMC International, a manufacturer of lollipop processing lines, this presented itself as an opportunity to expand and diversify its products and services.

LMC International has expanded their engineering department to offer client's a reservoir of talent who provide practical solutions to engineering challenges and customization requirements. LMC International's engineers become involved at the onset of each project beginning with the planning process following through to the designing and customization stages. LMC International has adopted the attitude that our customers are in fact our business partners. We become involved in our customers projects at the beginning and understand that our success depends upon the success of our client's projects.

LMC International's HLM-DC : High Speed Lollipop Forming and Wrapping Machine is the product of a redesigning effort performed by Latin's engineers in answer to a client's needs for a faster lollipop forming and wrapping machine. Formerly able to wrap 500 pops a minute the new HLM-DC can form and wrap 600 lollipops per minute. Its new electronic dual heat control feature has further diversified the machines ability to use a variety of wrapping materials including OPP films such as metallic films, wax paper, cellophane and other heat sealable films.

Although a dependable source for new ideas, depending solely on customers suggestions for innovation is inadvisable in any industry. LMC International's engineering department objective is to constantly look for different ways to improve their equipment. One inspired idea resulted in the modification of the STBW-4, a single twist ball lollipop wrapping machine. This machine can wrap 150 ball pops a minute in its 8 stations. Not satisfied with this speed, it has modified the design to 12 stations. The new STBW-12 is in production and can wrap up to 275 ball pops a minute, making it one of the fastest ball wrapping machine on the market.


LMC International manufactures four lollipop forming machines that produce flat and spherical lollipops of varying sizes. These pops can be produced with or without centers at speeds up to 1000 pieces per minute. LMC International wrapping machines wrap both styles of lollipops. Complementing the high speed production lines are LMC International's three different compact cooling conveyers and cooling drums which are designed to maximize cooling through proper utilization of the entire cooling area. The 3MTA/MTR cooling conveyer was especially designed to operate in the wide range of climates throughout the world.

Differentiation has always set the market leader apart from its competition. Not only have we focused on equipment innovations, but also on value added services in an effort to differentiate ourselves. LMC International provides customers with a single source for turn key operations from engineering design through to start-up assistance, installation and operator training. Our after sales support team are on-call to assist all customers, both foreign and domestic, at any time with maintenance, training and questions.

Founded on a strong domestic base, LMC International has been trading in foreign markets since the early 1940's. Through its active trade in Asia, South America, and the Middle East, LMC International found and developed an unusual niche market in used, reconditioned equipment.

This niche has two types of customers, the first are companies wishing to recondition their own equipment. The second group are customers wishing to buy used equipment which LMC International receives as trade-ins on new production equipment.

LMC International has found that their re-conditioned machines appeal to two main candy manufacturing market segments. The small, generally family run operation who have been using their equipment for some time turn to reconditioning their existing machines as a means to better product quality without outlying large capital expenditures. These manufacturers are not in the market for newer faster machines. Their volume of production matches their clients demands and there are no plans to expand their customer base.

Another large and growing market for used and reconditioned manufacturing equipment is companies who do not have the investment capital required to purchase new manufacturing equipment. The customers that fit into this category exist the world over but are predominantly based in developing nations. LMC International has experienced the greatest growth in demand for reconditioned lollipop forming machines in South America, Asia and the Middle East.

LMC International's DPW flat lollipop forming machine is the most popular reconditioned machine. This machine outputs up to 250 pieces a minute with a weight range of 5 to 28 grams.

Companies in the market for second hand equipment are not willing to sacll' will no longer be the market definer as more and more sub-markets develop. In response equipment suppliers will find themselves battling for market share more often in niches rather than in head to head confrontations.

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