In-Stock Processing Equipment for When Custom-Built Is not an Option

What Goes Into Custom Equipment

Food processing equipment -- particularly kettles, tanks, and other mixing equipment -- is often customized around the specific needs of the manufacturer:

• It is carefully designed with consideration given to the manufacturer’s goals and the unique ingredients and cooking requirements of the product to be produced
• It is specially engineered to yield the highest quality and maximize throughput and production efficiency.
• It is purposefully built to scale to the ongoing demands of the manufacturer’s operation for decades to come.

In fact, this level of bespoke food processing vessel manufacturing is exactly what Lee Industries has been specializing in for over 100 years.

When In-Stock Equipment May Be the Right Choice

Yet occasionally, manufacturers have an urgent need for a new vessel and don’t have the lead time required for a custom-built solution. For these situations, Lee Industries is continually manufacturing a range of our most popular models and sizes to make available as in-stock inventory upon completion. This equipment is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Adapting in Real-Time: Lessons from Customers

If we’ve learned anything from serving our customers for over 100 years, it’s to be prepared. Depending on what’s going on in the world, our customers can sometimes see unexpected and heavy demand spikes for their products, with a corresponding need to increase production quickly. In some of these cases, we’ve been able to use our in-stock inventory to help them meet their needs and grow their business.

For others, a combination of in-stock inventory and custom-built equipment is a way to accelerate the implementation timeline. For example:

• An in-stock hemispherical kettle combined with a custom-built agitator may provide the perfect solution
• This hybrid approach can still require less lead time than a fully customized kettle/agitator system

A Flexible Approach to Equipment Planning

While it is usually preferable to custom design and build a vessel to fit your specific circumstance, you may not always have the luxury of time for that. If you find yourself in that situation, speak to one of our applications engineers who can help you:

• Review in-stock options
• Explore hybrid solutions
• Align equipment capabilities with production needs

Final Thoughts

Whether you need to respond quickly to unexpected demand or bridge the gap while waiting for a fully customized solution, Lee’s in-stock equipment program is designed to meet you where you are. Flexibility, reliability, and over 100 years of manufacturing expertise, ready when you need it.

Last Updated: 10/31/2025