July 2013 • 87 Vol. 35, No. 6 Features 20 34 87 State-of-the-Artisan Future Toronto-based ACE Bakery opens its new Gaffney, SC, facility with best-in-class technology to serve growing US demand for par-baked breads. Beyond the Bread Aisle Specialty bakers push every button possible when targeting in-store bakeries as they search for a bevy of new sales opportunities. More than Meets the Eye Bakeries and snack manufacturers integrate robots into packaging and processing lines to reduce labor and improve efficiencies. 20 34 Cover: As the use of robotics increases in the US, bakeries and snack manufacturers find that robots are transforming operations. Photo: Shutterstock July 2013 / Baking & Snack / 9