In episode 21 of The Downtime, WTWH Media’s weekly manufacturing podcast, co-host Sarah Wynn talks with Gary Pickett, senior director of secondary packaging at JLS Automation. They discuss the company’s 70th anniversary and new Peregrine robotic cartoning machine, which will be demonstrated at IBIE and Pack Expo Las Vegas.
Co-host Sheri Kasprzak shares a Plant Engineering report detailing the State of Manufacturing Operations in 2025, including the role of suppliers in maintenance, how artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping future strategies, workforce shifts, and why early Industry 4.0 adoption is critical. Click here to download.
JLS Automation’s 70th anniversary
Founded in 1955 by Joseph L. Souser, JLS Automation is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2025. The company provides robotic packaging solutions for the food industry.
Its product line includes the Talon robotic pick-and-place system, Osprey robotic case packer, and the Peregrine robotic cartoning system, which debuts this weekend at IBIE in Las Vegas.
Introducing the Peregrine robotic cartoning machine
The Peregrine is a fully automated cartoning system that forms, loads, and closes cartons. It takes primary packages from upstream machines, such as a flow-wrapper, thermoformer, or vertical form fill seal, and uses robotics to place them into a top-load carton.
“It’s a bit of a unique solution,” said Pickett. “We incorporate JLS TRAK to precisely manage the carton throughout the process, and we incorporate what we call perpendicular flow of carton feeding. This gives us best-in-class accessibility for changeover machine operation.”
The system features vision-guided robotics and a compact footprint. “In some instances, it’s the only solution that fits in and up to 50% smaller than our competitors,” Pickett said.
It can handle bakery items like wrapped snack cakes, sandwiches, or cookies, as well as frozen foods such as ice cream treats and finger foods.
Daily demonstrations of the Peregrine will be at Pack Expo Las Vegas at JLS Automation’s booth, SL-15018.
AI, flexibility, and future-proofing
Pickett also discussed how AI and vision-guided robotics support packaging lines. Beyond the Peregrine, he explained that food manufacturers are looking for machines that can evolve with changing packaging formats.
“They need a machine that they can adapt in the future to do something they’re not aware of now,” he said, adding examples like taking a lay-flat package into a case today and handling a flexible stand-up pouch in the future.
Listen to the full episode to hear more of Pickett’s insights on the evolution of packaging technology.
Episode 21 | Show notes & time stamps
00:17 – The co-hosts open the show
04:12 – Headlines segment begins with Kasprzak sharing Plant Engineering’s State of Manufacturing Operations Report for 2025
05:48 – Wynn discusses a recent feature story she wrote on Conveyer & Caster. The fourth-generation family business has been providing material handling components for machine builders for over 60 years
08:09 – The co-hosts preview Pack Expo Las Vegas, and Wynn introduces the interview segment with JLS Automation’s Gary Pickett
09:05 – Interview with Pickett begins, and he mentions JLS Automation’s 70th anniversary
10:12 – Picket highlights JLS’s Peregrine robotic cartoning system
11:26 – Pickett discusses how JLS approaches solving automation challenges
13:14 – Wynn and Pickett discuss artificial intelligence (AI) trends in packaging automation, including machine learning in vision-guided solutions, large language models for technical documentation, and advancements in robotics
16:50 – Pickett explains JLS’s approach to “future-proofing” equipment
19:37 – Wynn and Pickett preview what JLS will showcase at Pack Expo Las Vegas
20:11 – Interview ends
20:25 – Game time segment: Report cards
28:20 – Game time segment ends, hosts wrap up the show
About The Downtime podcast and co-hosts
The Downtime is a weekly manufacturing podcast from WTWH Media that features insights from its automation and controls publications. It’s co-hosted by Wynn, who serves as the senior editor (digital) for Packaging OEM, and Kasprzak, who is the managing editor for Plant Engineering, Control Engineering, and Consulting-Specifying Engineer.
Check out The Downtime’s recent episodes
Episode 15: Exploring servo motors and robotic grippers in packaging with LinMot
Episode 17: How Neugart gearboxes support packaging machinery
Episode 18: Memphis Record Pressing enhances vinyl packaging with OEM tech
Episode 19: An interview with WTWH Media and Design World journalist Mike Santora
Episode 20: Emerson on Floor-to-Cloud packaging technology for OEMs
