Core Competencies
STOCK America has evolved from our simple origin as a manufacturer’s representative to a full service provider of state-of-the-art sterilization systems designed to meet the specific requirements of our customers.
We are applications experts that have a tradition in providing efficient and reliable thermal processing solutions for highly demanding low-acid food categories, especially value-added foods and beverages in flexible and semi-rigid containers. Our portfolio includes:
- Dairy based coffees, baby formulas, nutritional supplements and other beverages in plastic, glass and pouches
- Soups and chili in cans and double seamed plastic cups and bowls
- Cheese dips and spreads in heat sealed plastic trays and glass jars
- MRE pouched products for military and humanitarian rations
- Microwaveable rice & entrees in flexible pouches and multi-compartment trays
History
STOCK America was started in 1975 by Hermann Rudolf Stock, owner of the German-based Hermann Stock Maschinenfabrik (HSM) and the inventor of the original Stock rotary batch sterilizers.
Our initial focus in the 70’s and early 80’s was introducing the U.S. food industry to the technological advantages of end over end (E-O-E) rotation and full water immersion processing inherent in the ‘Rotomat’ batch retort. These types of retorts had found favor in European and Asian markets decades earlier due to the flexibility of the equipment, radical reductions in process times and the increased quality of end products. This was a novel approach compared to the simple steam retorts that dominated the U.S. market.
By the late 1980’s, STOCK America had remarkable success as rotary, immersion retorts proved to be well suited for the new generation of low-acid food products in flexible and semi-rigid plastic containers. During this period, STOCK America grew with the market, developing in-house expertise and the infrastructure needed to support this equipment and the needs of our customers. We began offering advanced control systems and innovative turn-key solutions for the entire sterilization process. Our resources and knowledge base were further expanded to encompass thermal process validation, container handling and automation and a dedicated after- sales support team, enabling STOCK America to become the leading, full-service supplier of high performance batch sterilization systems.
STOCK America continued to grow and expand our U.S. based competencies through the 1990’s and into the 21st century. We invested in our own control engineering capacity and developed the ICON control system, which received FDA acceptance in 1994.
In 2002, we broadened our product line to include energy efficient static and rotary steam spray retort systems through a distribution agreement with Surdry S.L. of Spain.
In 2006, STOCK America broke ground on a new assembly and testing facility for the U.S. located in Raleigh, N.C.
We began representation of ACB Hydrolock Continuous Sterilizers in late 2010 to complement our line of overpressure batch thermal processing systems.
In 2011, we continued to expand our portfolio by signing as the exclusive U.S. distributor of LAN Handling Systems, Int’l.
We continue to maintain our Stock traditions and family ties through an innovative global supply and technology network. STOCK America currently supports over 400 installed sterilization systems in North America; we are expanding our presence with innovative new equipment designs, an expanded presence in Europe and Asia.
Philosophy
Today, our company continues to focus on providing innovative and cost effective solutions through a careful balance of internal resources and strategic global alliances with industry leading manufacturers. In these alliances, we seek out companies that have a solid manufacturing base and foundation in a key core competency and are willing to work together with us in adapting their technology to meet the specific needs of the North American market. This approach allows us to best leverage our strength – the knowledge gained and the infrastructure established from more than 30 years of service and support to North American food manufacturers. It also enables us to be very flexible and responsive in pursuing the technologies and bases of manufacture that best meets the opportunities of the market and the needs of our customers.