At empirical, innovation isn’t about chasing what’s new - it’s how we think, build, and operate. We start with real problems facing the beef industry and design solutions that will perform reliably at scale and stand up over time.
Every system is designed to solve real challenges and do more with what we already have.
Solving complex problems requires relentless innovation.
We work through uncertainty – testing, learning, iterating, and staying with it until we get it right. Our in-house team of engineers designs the equipment and process architecture, and our on-premise machine shop manufactures the components that bring those systems to life.
From blueprint to installation, every innovation is built to perform in real production environments.
By designing and manufacturing key components ourselves, we maintain control over the systems that power our production – allowing us to refine, improve, and adapt them over time.
It’s not a single innovation.
We design coordinated systems built to solve complex problems.
Our Smart Process Suite of Innovations represents the integration of empirical’s most advanced, automated technologies – all working together to enhance food safety, sustainability, and beef supply.
This innovative system is engineered to clean and refrigerate the air in food production rooms throughout our production facilities. Unlike any other in existence, it washes the air and eliminates air contaminants. Our highest standard for food safety starts here.
Why does a floor drain need innovation? Our automated, self-cleaning, stainless steel drain system is a smart solution for an area of a facility that is typically overlooked. Built to stay pristine so it never becomes a problem.
Our proprietary system represents the integration of our most advanced, automated technologies, all working together to capture the full lean value from beef trim.
Our patented thermal pasteurization system is a ground-breaking innovation in food safety intervention. With precise temperature and near instantaneous time scale, pathogens are eliminated from raw ground meats.
Every product and every process at empirical is designed to create value where it didn’t exist before.
Our proprietary systems capture more lean beef from every animal, improve consistency and eating experience, and strengthen supply – without additional strain on natural resources.
This is innovation with purpose: turning overlooked inputs into higher-value outcomes for customers, consumers, and the industry.
We don’t just make beef better.
We make the entire system work smarter.
Food safety is not an add-on. It’s designed into every part of a facility and every element of our processes.
We engineer for safety starting with the small details that are often overlooked. Stand-offs for floor and wall mounted items make them easy and reliable to clean. From custom-designed equipment to continuous sanitation and advanced interventions, our systems are built to manage risk before it ever becomes a problem.
Automation and control allow us to deliver repeatable, high-integrity outcomes – day after day.
We use automation to take complex processes and make them simple to operate.
By building efficiency, control, redundancy, and precision into our operations, we reduce variability, improve reliability, and create consistency that manual processes can’t match.
Automation allows us to improve quality, reduce downtime, and support safer, more sustainable work.
Innovation doesn’t stop when a system goes live.
Every process and product we produce is backed by relentless R&D and continuous improvement. We measure performance, identify constraints, refine, iterate and optimize – again and again – until the system delivers the best possible outcome and product.
The work is never finished, and the standard is always rising.
