More Than a Handshake CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT National Beef ®

Choosing a supplier for a project that will change the way a plant operates day-to-day is no small task. That’s why Tim Hadding, Vice President and General Manager, National Beef® (OH), made it a group decision. Every person, from operators to electricians, decided JLS® was the right choice to automate its production line.

“What I bought was a partnership that came with the equipment,” said Hadding. “The equipment has performed extremely well, but JLS’ reputation for service, being true to their word and a business partner is what sold us. It was more than a handshake.”

And after that handshake, the order for four Osprey® robotic case packing systems arrived. But there was something more—National Beef asked JLS to supply and integrate both the front- and backend conveyor systems to and from the Osprey. “JLS didn’t hesitate and took on the entire project, making sure it worked and worked well,” Hadding said. “I was confident in JLS’ ability to manage that entire process, and they delivered.”

During the project, both Hadding and JLS’ President Craig Souser, realized a similar approach to their leadership and even held joint team meetings on effective business culture and leadership training. “We developed a trust and an admiration on how to run a business through a partnership and how that handshake is so important today,” said Hadding. “As JLS was growing its team, we started developing our teams together.”

Today, JLS is currently working on another large project for National Beef. According to Hadding, JLS was “without hesitation” the first choice when it came to robotic solutions.

“The sale didn’t stop at the signature, it began at the install,” he said. “If I need anything, I can pick up the phone and know Craig will answer. When one of the robots was having an issue, our assigned technician stopped his grocery shopping to drive eight hours to the plant and solve the problem. You don’t find that in many companies. That kind of partnership and dedication is unreal. We have a mutual trust and approach to leadership. I trust their judgment and know what they promise is what they deliver.”