2022 + ISSUE FOUR
P A R T N E R
Q&A
Dennis Gunnell Formost Fuji
Baking up success with customer-centric relationships Shared values propel JLS® and Formost Fuji’s partnership forward
Q:
What types of equipment does Formost Fuji manufacture for the baking industry and what sets you apart?
GUNNELL: Bakery is an industry we’re very strong in, whether it’s buns, bread, rolls, artisan breads, sweet goods or cookies. In terms of machines, we offer baggers and wrappers for bakery products, making us the only 13
company in the world we know of that builds both, rather than focusing exclusively on one.
VISION
There are several things that set us apart, but the one that really sticks out is that Fuji technology has always been cutting edge. Many years ago, Fuji integrated heat pipe technology in our end sealers, a technology used by NASA on space shuttles which allowed them to safely re-enter the atmosphere. Another is induction heating technology in our fin sealers, which uses less energy, keeps temperatures much more stable, and has a longer life than old-style heaters. These are just a couple of the many advantages of technology Formost Fuji builds into every machine.
Q:
DENNIS GUNNELL PRESIDENT, FORMOST FUJI Gunnell has been with the company for 36 years. While his tenure at Formost Fuji has allowed him to be a part of many industries, Gunnell is heavily involved in the baking industry and currently serves as committee chair for IBIE 2022. He has also served on the BEMA Board of Directors for many years.
When did Formost’s relationship start with JLS and what does it mean to your organization? last 5 or 6 years, we’ve come to realize that both companies operate
GUNNELL: The first project we did with JLS was years
on the same philosophy of putting the customer first. We know we
back, and the application was bagging flat bread. That
can’t be everything to everybody so we work with great partners that
was nearly 20 years ago! Coming back together over the
can complement the strengths of each of us.
