2022 + ISSUE FOUR
E X P E R T
Q&A
Lucas Boucher
Creativity and innovation at core of JLS system integration ®
Attention to detail and strong company culture drive success
opportunities to design and build the internal systems and processes that are used to build the packaging systems we produce. Anybody can build a custom automation system. Very few organizations have the tools, people and skill sets to marry software, hardware and process together to produce such a variety of custom machines, concurrently, under tight timelines.
Q:
11 VISION
LUCAS BOUCHER SYSTEMS ENGINEERING MANAGER, JLS ® Boucher has over 20 years of engineering experience, including eight years at JLS. For the past several years, he and his team have been working on larger systems, which have ramped up in demand over the past four years, spurring the need to expand their facility.
BOUCHER: Stepping up to those challenges and meeting them has three main focuses. One is that we are continually hiring high-caliber candidates. Our headcount continues to grow. As a second point of focus, the continual improvement of processes between and within departments, from high-level management and down, is important. The third is innovation with a focus on minimization. The JLS-type of solution tends to use software or creative solutions to solve problems without resorting to a lot
B
oucher discusses how their team solves the challenges of system integration. JLS provides fully customized systems for everything from sandwich assembly and confectionery, all the way to raw and packaged meat and cheese, and even wet wipes.
Q:
How has JLS met and solved these challenges?
What challenges have you encountered with getting into systems design and integration?
of hardware. Solving problems in that way is inherent in good sanitary and hygienic design since the more hardware you have, the less sanitary the solution is. At JLS, you never hear, “That’s how we’ve always done it.” We’re always looking for new ways to solve problems.
Q:
How are other OEM components selected for your systems?
BOUCHER: Sometimes the customers dictate specific equipment
BOUCHER: The most interesting and impactful opportunities
that they want us to use. We have an excellent application
aren’t actually system design and integration. They are the
engineering department that will engage with one or multiple
