Food & Beverage Processing
Food and beverage processing demands equipment that can withstand washdown, cold storage, and rigorous FDA and USDA compliance. Bernie's Equipment Company partners with regional processors—from Kwik Trip's supply chain to Great Lakes Cheese, Agropur, City Brewing, Organic Valley, and Bakalars Sausage—to deliver stainless conveyors, cold storage racking, washdown-rated forklifts, and refrigerated dock solutions. Our Tri-State expertise means we understand the unique demands of dairy, meat, beverage, and organic processing facilities.
Equipment Categories
Cold Storage Racking
Heavy-duty racking systems designed for freezer and cooler environments, with corrosion-resistant coatings and structural integrity at sub-zero temperatures.
View ProductStainless Conveyors
Sanitary conveyors built for washdown, FDA compliance, and seamless integration with processing lines.
View ProductDock Equipment
Levelers, seals and shelters for a variety of purposes during loading and unloading.
View ProductShelving & Storage
Stainless and powder-coated shelving for ingredient staging, packaging, and finished goods in sanitary zones.
View ProductLift Tables
Hygienic lift tables for ergonomic loading of processing equipment and pallet handling in washdown areas.
View ProductSafety Equipment
Floor marking, guardrails, and PPE solutions for food-safe facilities.
View ProductFeatured Products
Crown FC 5200 Washdown Forklift
Electric sit-down forklift engineered for food processing with IPX4 washdown rating and stainless steel components.
Learn MoreRite-Hite Dok-Lok Refrigerated Dock Leveler
Heavy-duty leveler with thermal break to maintain cold chain integrity at the dock door.
Learn MoreInterroll Stainless Belt Conveyor
Modular stainless conveyor system for sanitary material flow in processing and packaging areas.
Learn MoreInterlake Cold Storage Pallet Rack
High-capacity racking with cold-rated steel and optional wire decking for airflow.
Learn MoreBenefits
- ✓Equipment designed for FDA and USDA compliance out of the box
- ✓Local service and parts for minimal production downtime
- ✓Expert consultation on HACCP-compliant material flow
- ✓Long-standing relationships with regional food processors
- ✓Full-service support from installation through lifecycle maintenance
Case Study
Streamlining Cold Storage Operations at Regional Cheese Processor
Regional cheese processing facility (La Crosse area)
Challenge
The facility struggled with outdated racking in their 35°F cooler, forklift corrosion from daily washdown, and dock bottlenecks during peak shipping. Downtime during equipment failures was costing thousands per hour.
Solution
Bernie's designed a complete cold storage solution: Interlake pallet rack with cold-rated coatings, Crown FC 5200 washdown forklifts, and Rite-Hite refrigerated dock levelers with seals. We also implemented a preventive maintenance program.
Result
30% improvement in dock throughput, 90% reduction in forklift corrosion-related repairs, and zero FDA compliance issues during annual audits. ROI achieved in 18 months.
Compliance & Standards
FDA
Food and Drug Administration regulations for food safety, sanitation, and traceability in processing and storage.
USDA
U.S. Department of Agriculture standards for meat, poultry, and dairy processing facilities.
OSHA
Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements for worker safety in industrial environments.
HACCP
Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point principles for identifying and controlling food safety hazards.
Ready to Discuss Your Industry Needs?
Contact our material handling experts for a free consultation tailored to your operation.