U.S. Automation: Rewiring Pre-Roll Production and Supply Chains
In a strategic move to create a more resilient supply chain, Accelerant Manufacturing is championing domestic production and automation in the cannabis industry. The company has brought pre-roll cone manufacturing to its new Iowa facility, using automated 'Swiss Cones' machines to eliminate the risks of international tariffs and shipping delays. This initiative, combined with Accelerant's Production-as-a-Service (PaaS) model, provides cannabis operators with a more reliable, efficient, and cost-effective way to scale production.
The demand for pre-rolls continues to surge, but the supply chain for the cones that make them possible remains fragile. Reliance on overseas labor and logistics has led to rising costs and unstable lead times, creating a major headache for producers. A cone that might cost just a few cents can double in price with the addition of tariffs, threatening the profitability of one of the cannabis industry’s fastest-growing categories.
Accelerant Manufacturing saw this problem and built a solution. This summer, the company opened a new 110,000-square-foot facility in Iowa, which now houses the first automated 'Swiss Cones' machines in North America. By producing cones domestically, Accelerant is creating a tariff-proof, scalable, and faster supply option for pre-roll manufacturers across the country. This strategic move eliminates the risks of foreign sourcing, providing a more reliable and efficient supply chain.
But this is just one piece of a broader strategy. Accelerant is building a full ecosystem of American automation. From their GrindPRO mills (made in Maryland) and their new CoatPRO (V2) for kief-coating (made in Missouri) to their flagship PRO2 pre-roll machine, all products are manufactured in the U.S. This commitment shortens lead times and gives operators more control over their production process.
Perhaps the most disruptive element of Accelerant's approach is their Production-as-a-Service (PaaS) model. Instead of forcing cultivators and processors into a large capital expenditure, Accelerant provides and maintains the equipment on-site. The billing is tied directly to production volume, aligning incentives for maximum uptime and output. This partnership model, as CEO Grant Schuster describes it, allows clients to scale without compromise, helping them build a local, lean, and resilient cannabis supply chain. The message is clear: the future of cannabis manufacturing is being built here at home.
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