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Laitram Corporation( Laitram) is a global innovation leader, comprising multiple industry-driven divisions: Intralox, Laitram Machinery, and Lapeyre Stair. Founded more than 75 years ago with a groundbreaking invention in automated shrimp peeling, Laitram Machinery was the original catalyst for what would become a diversified corporation with over 3800 employees, 2200 actively held patents, and a presence in 12 locations worldwide. Today, Laitram’ s dynamic portfolio includes not only pioneering food processing solutions through Laitram Machinery, but also cutting-edge conveyance technologies via Intralox and innovative access solutions through Lapeyre Stair. Innovative at its core, the company has an intense commitment to integrity, teamwork, continuous improvement, self-management, and developing the potential of each employee. James Lapeyre, General Manager, joins Food Chain for an informative conversation about Laitram’ s history, purpose, and innovation.
“ Our mission is to automate the peeling of shrimp, elevating the process from mediocrity to greatness through relentless innovation. We develop these capabilities and apply them in adjacent markets, such as the nut, pet food and poultry industries, where we bring unique and compelling value. Our journey began over 75 years ago when my grandfather was growing up in Houma, Louisiana and his family owned a shrimp factory called the Grand Caillou Packing Company. His father had told him that if he were able to invent a machine to peel shrimp, he could make a lot of money.
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