Just over 30 years ago, a small business called Process Integration  opened in Wicomico County, focused on providing processing services and automation solutions to the poultry industry.

For years, weighing, labeling, and inventory control was the company’s bread and butter—but as time went on, the company made big moves and expanded its automation expertise to other sectors, knowing it would need a larger space to accommodate its growing services.

“Process Integration was started in 1993 by my dad,” said Scott Wade, co-owner and principal application engineer at the company. “Our new headquarters in Princess Anne is 20,000 square-feet with enough acreage that will allow us to stay put for the next 30 years.”

After growing tremendously over the last decade, Process Integration entered into robotics in 2020, making them the only robotics integrator on the shore. Scott credits the company’s customers and workload for being able to take on these new process management skills, especially during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Prior to 2020 we contracted out our robotics, but now we do it ourselves,” said Scott. “Lots of manufacturers spend money on front-end manufacturing... but during the pandemic, manufacturing facilities throughout the industry had to automate and pivot with workplace restrictions, especially on the back-end. This gave the packaging area and what happens afterward some much needed attention.”

While the company used to sell individual components, like labeling, they now provide an entire custom system tailored specifically to each client and product. Wondering what goes into that process? Think of your Amazon package being stored in a warehouse and then being shipped to your home.

“Once a manufactured product is packaged, from that point on, Process Integration handles the rest,” said Scott. “We handle the hardware and software until the customer receives it.”

That includes moving the customer product with equipment from Point A to Point B; x-raying; placing it on pallets; handling the database to quantify the item and determine where it is stored in the warehouse; calculating how much waste was output; boxing up the product for selling; scanning the items into inventory which is all tied back to a database; and then alerting the customer once the product has been shipped.

“When our client gets an order for something, they’ll know to go to inventory shelf location XYZ and pull a dozen of them, put it on the pallets, and then move it onto a certain truck at the dock,” said Scott. “Once it is fully loaded, they update the shipping system, and an email goes out to the customer saying the item is on its way.”

If an incident happens somewhere along the way, Process Integration can determine when and where a product was made, in which lot, and trace back to the source. On bottles and bags, the lot number correlates to a system that provides traceability for easy recalls.

“It’s about accountability, especially when you’re dealing with food,” said TJ Hodges, business development manager. “You’ll know that an impacted item could have only been made from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM on a specific day. It’s peace of mind for the customer, and also for consumers, because you know there’s not something unexpected inside your food.”

Seeing the automation process in-person is what makes it all come together—that’s why Maryland Commerce Secretary Kevin Anderson visited the facility during his Somerset County tour last year.

“Maryland’s manufacturers span nearly every business sector, and the logistics that go on behind the scenes is what keeps our companies thriving,” said Secretary Anderson. “It’s fascinating to see what Process Integration has done with robotics and automation for the industry on the Eastern Shore.”

Process Integration recently acquired Shorite Controls, an industrial control panel shop, and has moved its operations into the Princess Anne facility. With this addition, the company has grown to 19 workers and is always looking for new talent, especially with Salisbury University contributing to the local workforce nearby. To learn more about the company and career opportunities, visit processintegrationinc.com .