ADCO AUTOMATIC HORIZONTAL CARTONER – FOOD GRADE CARTONING SYSTEM

DAG Asset ID: AKDI-CTN-0001
DAG Certificate ID: DAG-2026-0030
Manufacturer: ADCO Manufacturing
Model: Not Specified (Automatic Horizontal Cartoner)
Asset Type: Automatic Horizontal Cartoning System (Packaging Equipment)
Location: Harvey, Illinois (AKDI Facility – 15320 Cooper Ave, Harvey, IL 60426)
Verification Status: Verified Industrial Asset – Installed, Configured, and Physically Documented (March 2026)
Category: Packaging Systems
Customer Program Supported:
Primary: American Kitchen Delights, Inc. (AKDI) Production Operations
Secondary: FRMA Prepared Foods Platform (Future Integration)

Manufacturer Details
ADCO Manufacturing is a well-established U.S.-based manufacturer of automated packaging equipment, specializing in cartoning systems for food, pharmaceutical, and consumer packaged goods industries. ADCO systems are recognized for reliability, flexibility, and integration into high-throughput production lines.

Asset Type
Automatic horizontal cartoning system designed for continuous, high-efficiency packaging of products into pre-formed cartons within a production line environment.

Asset Overview
The ADCO Automatic Horizontal Cartoner is a food-grade packaging system engineered for efficient cartoning of tray-based and packaged food products. The system integrates product infeed, carton erection, product insertion, and carton closing into a continuous automated workflow.

The unit is configured for horizontal loading and is suitable for prepared meals, pot pies, frozen foods, and similar retail food products. Integrated industrial coding/printing units enhance functionality by enabling date coding, lot traceability, and regulatory labeling.

The system also supports overflow and supplemental cartoning capacity for high-volume prepared meal production programs.

Technical Specifications

  • Configuration: Horizontal Continuous Motion Cartoning System

  • Infeed System: Product Conveyor with Indexing Mechanism

  • Carton Handling: Carton Magazine with Automatic Erection Assembly

  • Product Insertion: Mechanical or Servo-Driven Insertion System

  • Closing Mechanism: Automatic Carton Closing and Sealing Section

  • Discharge: Outfeed Conveyor for Downstream Handling

  • Integrated Components:

    • Industrial Coding/Printing Units (Model Pending Verification)

  • Construction: Stainless Steel and Food-Grade Materials

  • Controls: Integrated Control Interface with Line Synchronization Capability

  • Electrical: Not Specified

Functional Description
Products are conveyed into the system via the infeed conveyor and indexed into position for cartoning. Flat cartons are automatically erected and positioned for loading. Products are inserted into cartons using an automated insertion mechanism, after which cartons are closed and discharged.

The system supports continuous, repeatable operation and integrates into downstream processes such as case packing and palletizing. Integrated coding systems provide essential labeling and traceability functions.

Condition & Verification Status
The unit was observed installed within the AKDI facility and configured for production use. ADCO manufacturer identification tag has been verified. The system appears complete, including infeed conveyor, carton magazine, insertion section, and discharge conveyor.

Overall condition is consistent with maintained industrial packaging equipment. Operational status is consistent with active or ready production use; serial number was not located at time of documentation.

Use Case Applications

  • Prepared meal cartoning (including pot pies)

  • Frozen food packaging

  • Retail food carton packaging

  • Tray-based product cartoning

  • Consumer packaged goods (CPG) applications

  • Supports overflow and peak production capacity, including programs such as Centerville Pot Pies

Location & Ownership
Legal Owner: American Kitchen Delights, Inc.
Facility Operator: American Kitchen Delights, Inc.
Location: Harvey, Illinois
Operational Status: Installed and configured for production use

Valuation Reference
Estimated Fair Market Value (FMV): $45,000 – $95,000 USD
Estimated Orderly Liquidation Value (OLV): $30,000 – $65,000 USD
Estimated Forced Liquidation Value (FLV): $18,000 – $40,000 USD

Values reflect ADCO brand recognition, horizontal cartoning configuration, integrated coding systems, installed condition, and secondary market demand for automated food-grade cartoning systems.

DAG Verification Statement
This asset has been physically documented and registered under the DAG Asset Registry system. Manufacturer identification has been confirmed, and system configuration and condition have been verified through on-site observation at the time of registration.

Verified, Documented, and Registered by DuFort Advisory Group LLC under the DAG Asset Registry System