Columbia/Okura LLC

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Columbia/Okura LLC

Columbia/Okura is a leading provider of custom-engineered end-of-line systems including robotic palletizers and bagging machines.

Our solutions are designed to optimize your operations, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.

09/02/2026

Delicate produce requires "the right touch" at the end of the line. 🍏🍅

From open display trays and plastic crates to bundled produce, automated palletizing for fruits and vegetables isn't one-size-fits-all. It takes custom-engineered tooling to handle fragile products safely—eliminating bottlenecks without risking bruised or damaged goods.

Watch how our tailored robotic tooling handles delicate cases and trays with speed, precision, and care.

What’s your biggest operational challenge when handling fresh produce at scale?

08/31/2026

From single palletizing cells to full end-of-line integration—automation hasn’t just grown; it’s evolved. ⚙️

Hear from Jordan Huffman on how Columbia/Okura shifted from standalone robotics to engineering complete, seamless end-of-line systems over the last 30 years.

What’s the biggest challenge you’re facing in your end-of-line process today? Let us know in the comments below! 👇

08/27/2026

How do you double palletizing output in tight spaces without adding complex infrastructure? 🌾📦

When Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods needed a palletizing solutionfor their smaller, footprint-constrained lines, traditional industrial robots were too large, and standard cobots couldn’t meet their reach and speed requirements.

Enter the miniPAL® 20, powered by the Universal Robots UR20 cobot.

By integrating the miniPAL® 20, Bob’s Red Mill achieved:
- Rapid Deployment: Unboxed, bolted down, and running in just a few hours.
- Taller Pallets, No 7th Axis: The UR20’s extended reach handles 81-inch pallets without needing an expensive vertical lift column.
- Higher Throughput: Up to 14 cases/min capacity with double-picking capability.
- Operator Safety & Flexibility: Built-in area scanners allow safe interaction, while Pally software makes product changeovers seamless across all shifts.

Most importantly, automating this line freed up four operators per day to focus on higher-value tasks, keeping employees safe and lines running efficiently.

👉 Read the full case study to see how the miniPAL® 20 transformed Bob’s Red Mill’s end-of-line operations: https://columbiaokura.com/thought-leadership/ur20-cobot-enables-new-palletizing-opportunity-at-bobs-red-mill/

08/26/2026

True automation innovation doesn’t happen in a silo—it’s built on strategic collaboration. 🤝⚙️

Watch as Michael Stuyvesant breaks down why the partnership between Columbia/Okura and STATEC BINDER epresents a shift away from transactional vendor relationships, and how aligning engineering teams from day one leads to faster startups, reduced risk, and better end-of-line performance.

🎥 Watch the video to see what modern integration partnerships look like in practice.

08/25/2026

Heading to PACK EXPO International 2026 in Chicago? Join us on the show floor as our guest! 🎟️📦

Connect with the Columbia/Okura team to explore the latest innovations in high-speed, flexible robotic palletizing—engineered to streamline end-of-line operations, maximize uptime, and scale your production.

Use our complimentary code 42S64 for free show registration on us:

👉 Register for free & schedule your visit: https://nvyt.es/376a06920c7c2465bd1c

We look forward to seeing you at the show!

08/24/2026

High-speed snack packaging calls for gentle handling and maximum uptime. 🍿📦

Whether you’re handling pillow bags, fragile cartons, or variety packs, keeping up with high line speeds without damaging product integrity is a continuous operational balance.
Columbia/Okura’s robotic palletizing solutions are built to keep snack lines moving at peak performance:
- Product Protection: Specialized end effectors gently secure fragile packaging to prevent crushing or seal damage.
- Flexible Patterning: Dynamic pattern changes easily accommodate multiple bag sizes, display cases, and mixed-load configurations.
- Compact Integration: High-speed robotic cells deliver maximum throughput within tight production footprints.
- Reliable Continuous Operation: Designed for 24/7 reliability to eliminate end-of-line bottlenecks.

👉 Learn how robotic automation elevates snack food operations: https://columbiaokura.com/industry/food/

08/19/2026

One robot, three pallets, total efficiency.

When you're running multiple product lines through a single end-of-line system, smart sortation is the secret to keeping throughput high without expanding your footprint.

Integrating intelligent sortation with robotic palletizing allows you to seamlessly divert, organize, and feed multiple product flows directly to a single picking cell.

Why integrate sortation into your palletizing line?
- Maximizes Equipment ROI: Keep your palletizing robot running at peak utilization by feeding it continuous, pre-sorted product streams.
- Saves Floor Space: Consolidate multi-line operations into a centralized end-of-line system rather than building redundant palletizing cells.
- Boosts Operational Flexibility: Easily handle dynamic product mixes, varied SKU runs, and multi-pallet staging without dropping a beat.

At Columbia/Okura, we don't just supply robots, we engineer fully integrated, custom end-of-line systems built to handle your most complex multi-line challenges.

Ready to streamline your multi-product packaging line? Let’s build a system that works for you.

08/12/2026

From bagged chips to boxed crackers, snack food palletizing demands flexibility, gentle handling, and reliable uptime.

At Columbia/Okura, our miniPAL® cobot palletizer and dynaPAL® system deliver tailored end-of-line automation for snack manufacturers looking to overcome labor shortages, maximize footprint, and maintain product quality.

Key system highlights:
✔️ Compact footprint options for tight production spaces
✔️ Multi-pick and specialized gripper tooling to protect delicate packaging
✔️ Fast line changeovers for multiple product SKUs
✔️ Full integration with printers, checkweighers, and reject conveyors

🔗 Explore the full range: https://columbiaokura.com/industry/food/

08/05/2026

Automation isn't just about moving products—it's about smart design that saves time and maximizes efficiency.

We just finished testing our newest palletizing robot in the shop. While the core job is handling up to 50 lb bags, a few key design features set this system apart:
⚙️ Integrated Quality Control: Rejects overweight, underweight, or metal-contaminated bags to a dedicated reject station without stopping production.
📈 Extended Run Time: A tall pallet dispenser holds larger pallet stacks for less frequent reloading.
⬆️ Higher Stack Capacity: A custom tall robot base allows for taller loads and more bags per pallet.
🤖 Versatile Sheet Pick: The high-speed end effector handles both slip sheets and cap sheets for ultimate pattern flexibility.

Check out the video to see it in action! 🦾

08/03/2026

Buying a robotic palletizer is step one. Mastering it is where the real value happens. 📈

Our First Year Program delivers structured service visits and hands-on coaching at 30, 180, and 365 days to ensure your team has the skills, confidence, and system support to maximize throughput.
⚙️ Fine-tuned performance
🎓 Refresher training for evolving plant teams
🛡️ Proactive maintenance planning

Build operational excellence from day one.

🔗 https://columbiaokura.com/service-parts/first-year-program/

Address

301 Grove St
Vancouver, WA
98661

Website

http://www.columbiaokura.com/

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