Drake’s visionary founder set out to revolutionize food processing in 1979. By developing a groundbreaking method to mechanically load sausages and hot dogs into packaging, Drake became an industry leader. If you’ve enjoyed a sausage or hot dog in the past four decades, there’s a 90% chance it was processed by a Drake Loader. With over 1,700 machines sold worldwide, capable of producing 2.9 million food products per minute, Drake’s story is one of a small company making a substantial global impact.
Solutions beyond sausages
Driven by a passion for innovation and sanitation, Drake has since expanded by integrating new technology, like FANUC robotics, vision rejection, metal-detectable plastic components, continuous belts, centrifugal feeders, patented end-of-arm tools, and blue light sanitation systems. By doing so, it also broadened its application capabilities to include poultry, snack sticks, cheese, canned goods, and much more.
By crafting personalized solutions for every facility and need, they often solve loading challenges where others fail. All over the world, Drake provides durable, efficient loaders that lead the way in sanitation and capacity.
Flexible and sustainable
Central to Drake’s philosophy is a commitment to flexibility and sustainability. Each machine is crafted inhouse at a facility with a small carbon footprint, using 86.3% recycled stainless steel. This eco-friendly approach reduces environmental impact while ensuring the durability and quality of Drake’s products.
Middleby acquisition and global support
In 2011, Drake reached a pivotal milestone by joining the Middleby Corporate family. This partnership expanded Drake’s global reach and enriched its technological collaboration capabilities. Middleby’s vast portfolio and strategic locations worldwide, including India, Spain, and the Middle East, provide robust support, parts, and service, aligning with Drake’s dedication to customer satisfaction and operational excellence.
Complete line solutions for sausage and hot dogs
Drake is an integral, collaborative part of Middleby Food Processing’s new complete line system for sausage and hot dogs, offering protein process emulsion and thermal processing with automated systems through MAP packaging for each product and facility size.
These custom systems provide the highest yields – smoke, cook, cool, and chill with consistent quality: color, flavor, and texture. Advanced sanitary design for pasteurization, seal, label, and package. 67% processing energy reduction.
Drake’s innovative highlights
CF-600-R: A cutting-edge centrifugal feeder and robotic autoloading system with a CIP options and new antibacterial features, setting new sanitation and efficiency standards for multiple applications.
MasterPacker X5: Developed with CV-TEK, using MAP technology to extend shelf life while minimizing human interaction. Robotic product transfer ensures 15 mother bags per minute.
SR-400: Designed for the European market, handling curved sausages with precision, emphasizing hygiene and efficiency.
PS-60: Enhances poultry processing by spacing pieces for downstream operations, boosting productivity and supporting inspection.
CS-400: Excels in canning, particularly for Vienna Sausages™, meeting niche market demands with sanitary, efficient operations. Consistently loads 400 cans per minute per machine to designated specifications.
CS-1800: Drake’s original workhorse, the CS-1800, is designed for high-speed frank loading with efficiency and sanitation. Featuring a patented first-in, first-out system, it minimizes product recirculation, delivering up to 1,800 pieces per minute. Designed to fit your needs, it handles various cylindrical food products and packaging types, using a traditional mechanical CLXII loading head or robotic loading head, and has improved sanitation features like the new Sani-Chain.
Meet Drake @ IFFA, Hall 8, Stand E.10!
Visit Drake at IFFA 2025 (Hall 8, Stand E.10) to experience select equipment, collaborate with engineers and food technologists, and develop solutions for loading challenges.
Embarking on the next chapter
Drake’s 45-year journey showcases its leadership in the food processing industry. With innovative equipment enhancing efficiency, safety, and sustainability worldwide, Drake is shaping the future.
Through strategic partnerships and a commitment to research and development, Drake continues to expand its legacy of excellence and innovation, fortifying its global impact.
