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Every piece of Mackies bakeware leaves our facility with a fluoropolymer coating system applied by Australia Surface Treatments (AST) — Australia's only Chemours-licensed industrial coating applicator. Here's what you need to know about the coatings on your production bakeware.

PTFE or PFA — Which System Is on Your Bakeware?

Mackies uses two Chemours fluoropolymer systems depending on your production requirements:

• PTFE (Teflon) — Our standard system for bread pans, flat trays, and general-purpose moulds. Film build of 25–35µm. Excellent release at a lower cost per unit.
• PFA — Our premium system for high-volume 24/7 operations and automated depanning lines. Film build of 35–200µm. Thicker, more abrasion-resistant, and longer intervals between recoats.

Both systems are FDA food-contact compliant. For a detailed comparison, see AST's PTFE vs PFA coating guide.

Why Coating Quality Matters

A properly applied fluoropolymer coating eliminates or significantly reduces the need for greasing agents, delivers consistent product release, and protects the steel substrate from corrosion. The coating is the consumable part — the bakeware itself lasts decades with periodic recoating.

All Mackies bakeware is coated using genuine Chemours materials applied to manufacturer specification, with full batch traceability. Every coating job is backed by our lifetime workmanship warranty.

When to Recoat

Most production bakeries recoat their bakeware every 2 to 5 years depending on volume and product type. Signs you're due:

• Product sticking or requiring increased greasing
• Visible substrate showing through the coating
• Uneven release or inconsistent product shape

Recoating is almost always more economical than replacing bakeware. AST handles recoating for all Mackies bakeware — including strapped pan sets as complete assemblies. Read more in AST's guide on how long Teflon coating lasts.

Bakeware We Manufacture and Coat

• Bread pan sets (strapped)
• Flat trays and sheet pans
• Muffin, cupcake, and specialty trays
• Baguette and sub roll trays
• Custom moulds and forms

Mackies bakeware is designed and engineered in Australia for bakeries across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and the Middle East. For the full rundown on coating options for production bakeware — including how we compare to Mecatherm, American Pan, Kaak, and Kempf equipment — see AST's comprehensive Teflon coating for bakeware guide.

Need a Quote?

Whether it's new bakeware with coating or a recoat on your existing fleet, contact Mackies on 1800 BAKE IT (1800 225 348) or request a coating quote from AST directly.

Off-the-shelf bakeware works for many bakeries, but when your production line demands specific dimensions, cavity counts or pan configurations, custom manufacturing is the answer. Mackies has been designing and engineering custom bakeware in Australia since 1948 — here's how the process works.

When Do You Need Custom Bakeware?

Custom bakeware is typically required when:

• Your product dimensions don't match standard pan sizes
• You're running automated plant bakery equipment that requires precise pan specs
• You need specific strap configurations (number and spacing of cavities)
• Your oven, proofer or depanner has non-standard dimensions
• You're developing a new product and need prototype tooling
• You need replacement pans to match existing bakeware that's no longer available

The Custom Manufacturing Process

1. Consultation and Specifications

Every custom project starts with understanding your requirements. Our team works with you to define the exact specifications — pan dimensions, material gauge, cavity layout, coating requirements and compatibility with your existing equipment.

2. Die Design and Manufacture

If your requirements don't match any of our 530+ existing die shapes, we manufacture a custom die to your specifications. The die is a precision-engineered tool that stamps the metal into the exact shape needed. Dies are manufactured in-house at our Melbourne facility, giving us full control over quality and lead times.

3. Production

Pans are stamped from sheet metal using hydraulic presses, then assembled into strap configurations where required. Welding, riveting and assembly are performed by experienced tradespeople.

4. Coating

Finished bakeware is sent to Australia Surface Treatments (AST) for non-stick coating application. AST is a Chemours licensed applicator, ensuring genuine Teflon™ coatings are applied to the highest standards.

5. Quality Assurance

Every batch is inspected for dimensional accuracy, coating adhesion and finish quality before dispatch. Custom orders include first-article inspection to confirm the product meets your specifications before full production runs.

Lead Times and Minimum Orders

Custom bakeware lead times depend on whether a new die is required:

• Existing die — production can typically begin within 2-3 weeks
• New die required — add 4-6 weeks for die design and manufacture

Minimum order quantities vary by product complexity. Contact us to discuss your requirements — we work with bakeries of all sizes, from single-site artisan operations to multi-plant industrial producers.

Designed and Engineered in Australia

All Mackies bakeware is designed and engineered at our Melbourne facility, manufactured at our joint venture factory, and then Teflon coated in Australia by Australia Surface Treatments (AST). This process ensures Australian quality control from design through to finished product, with the bulk of the value added here in Australia.

Have a custom bakeware requirement? Get in touch with our team to discuss your project.

Non-stick coatings are essential for commercial bakeware performance. They reduce product release failures, minimise cleaning time and extend the working life of your pans and trays. But not all coatings are equal. Here's what you need to know about the coatings used on professional bakeware.

What Are Fluoropolymer Coatings?

Fluoropolymer is the family name for the non-stick coating materials used in commercial bakeware. The most common types are:

• PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) — the original and most widely used non-stick material, marketed as Teflon™ by Chemours. PTFE provides excellent release properties and is the standard for bread pans, baking trays and most commercial bakeware.
• PFA (Perfluoroalkoxy) — a premium fluoropolymer with superior chemical resistance and durability. Used in demanding applications where PTFE alone may not provide sufficient service life.
• ECTFE (Halar®) — manufactured by Solvay, this coating offers exceptional chemical and corrosion resistance. Commonly used in industrial applications beyond bakeware.

For a detailed side-by-side comparison of PTFE and PFA coating systems for bakeware, see our coating partner AST's PTFE vs PFA coating guide.

Why Coating Quality Matters

The performance of a non-stick coating depends on more than just the material. The application process is critical:

• Surface preparation — the metal substrate must be properly cleaned and roughened (typically by grit blasting) to create a mechanical bond with the coating.
• Primer coat — a bonding layer that adheres to both the metal and the topcoat.
• Mid-coat — in multi-coat systems, this builds thickness and improves durability.
• Topcoat — the smooth, low-friction surface that provides the non-stick release.

Single-coat systems are cheaper but wear through more quickly. Multi-coat systems like Mackies' Panglaze process deliver significantly longer service life, reducing total cost of ownership.

For more on FDA compliance requirements for fluoropolymer coatings in food production, see AST's food-grade Teflon coating guide.

Chemours Licensing

Genuine Teflon™ coatings should only be applied by licensed applicators approved by Chemours (the manufacturer of Teflon). Licensing ensures that applicators meet strict quality standards, use genuine materials, and follow approved application processes.

Not sure when your bakeware needs recoating? AST's guide on how long Teflon coating lasts covers the signs to look for and why recoating beats replacement.

Selecting the right commercial bakeware is one of the most important equipment decisions a bakery can make. The pans, trays and tins you use directly affect product quality, production efficiency and your bottom line. Here's what to consider when choosing bakeware for your commercial operation.

Material Matters

Commercial bakeware is typically manufactured from aluminised steel, stainless steel, or aluminium. Each has distinct advantages:

• Aluminised steel — the industry standard for bread pans and baking trays. Excellent heat distribution, durable, and takes non-stick coatings well. Most commercial bakeries in Australia and New Zealand use aluminised steel bakeware.
• Stainless steel — preferred for catering and hospitality environments where corrosion resistance is critical. Ideal for gastronorm trays and multi-purpose applications.
• Aluminium — lightweight with superior heat conductivity. Common in cake tins and specialty baking applications.

Non-Stick Coatings

A quality non-stick coating dramatically reduces product waste and cleaning time. Look for bakeware with Teflon™ or PTFE-based coatings applied by a Chemours licensed applicator. Multi-coat systems like Mackies' Panglaze process provide significantly longer service life than single-coat alternatives.

Key factors in coating quality:

• Number of coating layers (multi-coat systems last longer)
• Proper surface preparation before coating application
• FDA certification for food contact safety
• Coating warranty and re-coating options

Size and Configuration

Match your bakeware to your production requirements. Consider:

• Strap loaf pans — multiple loaf cavities joined together for efficient bread production
• Industrial Baking trays — designed to work with automated plant bakery lines
• Individual tins — versatile for artisan and specialty products
• Baking trays — flat or lipped for rolls, pastries and sheet products

For plant bakeries running automated lines, the bakeware must be precisely dimensioned to work with your proofer, oven and depanner. Custom die manufacturing ensures a perfect fit for your specific equipment.

Durability and Warranty

Commercial bakeware is a significant investment. Look for manufacturers who offer a lifetime workmanship warranty — this demonstrates confidence in their product quality and manufacturing processes.

Mackies has been designing and engineering commercial bakeware in Australia since 1948, with over 530 die shapes available and custom dies manufactured to order. Every product comes with a lifetime workmanship warranty.

Need help choosing the right bakeware for your bakery? Contact our team for expert advice and a no-obligation quote.

Essential Bakery Equipment for Efficient and High-Quality Baking

Running a successful bakery isn't just about great recipes. It's also about having the right bakeware. The right bakery equipment makes your work easier and faster. It helps keep your products consistent every time you bake. It also improves the quality of your baked goods.

In this article, we’ll go over the essential equipment every bakery needs. From baking trays and baking pans to ovens and mixers, we’ll cover it all.

Read more