The Road To
Explore how the RollPros Blackbird revolutionized pre-roll production with innovation, determination, and a 'never good enough' drive to create the perfect pre-roll.
2017
Summer
Inventor Kyle Loucks writes down the idea of a commercial-scale pre-roll machine that actually rolls joints instead of using pre-made cones.
2018
Spring
Kyle finishes his first round of detailed sketches of his concept.
2018
Summer
Kyle starts working on the first prototype of this new invention in his garage. He dubs his new, secretive project “Pasta Primavera” and tells anyone that asks that it is a pasta rolling machine.2018
Winter
The first manual prototype is complete! It doesn’t have power yet, but is instead powered by hand. This serves as a proof of concept that the idea is viable.
2019
January 1
The new business entity is named RollPros, the best of a number of other unmemorable names.
2019
Summer
The first complete test unit of the still unnamed machine is fully powered and operational, rolling hundreds of thousands of CBD joints in Kyle’s garage.
2020
November
RollPros moves out of Kyle’s garage and into its first office! It’s no longer just a dream, but a real business. The office is a small space in an old post office building.
2020
November
Wyatt Winburne becomes RollPros first official employee. The “Pasta Primavera” is officially named the Blackbird at Wyatt’s suggestion. A poster of the SR71 Blackbird was on Kyle’s bedroom wall growing up, providing synergy to the new name.2020
December
The very first production Blackbirds are being built in “job shop” style, where each person builds an entire unit from beginning to completion.
2021
January
RollPros hires first full-time engineer (Steve, still alive). Even from the beginning, Kyle had committed the company to the concept of continuous improvement, and needed engineering help to make that a reality.
2021
March 30
The very first production unit is installed in RollPros’ first official customer’s facility: Sira Naturals/Ayr in Massachusetts. This unit is still operating to this day and has produced over 2 million joints.2021
July
Nick Buck is hired as the COO of RollPros. Nick and Kyle’s friendship goes back to Kindergarten!
2021
July
Alec Anson hired as RollPros’ first full-time customer service rep. Providing exceptional support to our customers has always been a core value of the company.
2021
OCTOBER
The Blackbird manufacturing process is standardized and transitions to a prototypical production line.
2021
OCTOBER 1
Blackbird #10 is installed at Raw Gardens’ facility in California.
2021
October 18
John Figuracion hired as Assembly Technician and is RollPros’ 10th employee
2021
November 7
First joint recorded in Blackbird telemetry system. All Blackbirds are connected to HQ via this system, which allows us to monitor units in the field and pro-actively diagnose problems should they occur.
2021
December
RollPros makes our first appearance at MJBiz in a modest 10×10 booth.
2022
February
RollPros takes over the rest of the building where we had our small office. This expansion added 13,000 sq/ft to our space, and is still the headquarters of RollPros today.
Headquarters
2101 C Street, Vancouver, WA 98663
2022
April
RollPros production floor quintuples in size to accommodate faster production capacity.
2022
APRIL 6
Blackbird #30 installed at Aruna Farms’ facility in Massachusetts.
2022
September 22
The Big Crutch Kit is released, allowing customers to roll larger joints (up to 1.2g)
2022
September 29
Blackbird #50 is installed at LivWell/PharmaCann’s facility in Denver, Colorado.
2022
October 28
10 millionth joint rolled by RollPros Blackbirds, as recorded by the Blackbird telemetry system.
2022
November 21
Todd McCommas is hired as an Install Technician and is RollPros’ 20th employee.
2023
January 26
The Blackbird Custom Rolling table is launched. This adds storage and mobility to the machine, and brings the height up to a more ergonomic position.
2023
February 22
The DrawCheck is launched. This unit is a first-of-its-kind in the industry. It allows Blackbird users to test the air flow on joints, and gives them a quantifiable spec that improves airflow consistency between batches.
2023
March 10
Blackbird #75 installed at Breakwater Treatment & Wellness’ facility in New Jersey.
2023
April 19
RollPros publishes the first installment of our disruptive Market Report series. The first report focuses on Oregon. More than 10 state-specific Market Reports have been published to date.
2023
May
One Blackbird per week leaves the production line, a new manufacturing record.
2023
May 16
25 millionth joint rolled by RollPros Blackbirds recorded in telemetry system.
2023
October 5
Blackbird #100 is installed at Gud Garden’s facility in Grant’s Pass, Oregon.
2024
January 4
A major milestone, the 50 millionth joint is rolled by RollPros Blackbirds.
2024
May 2
Inventor and CEO Kyle Loucks makes Forbes 42.0 list, making his parents very, very proud!
2024
June 4
Our colored paper bobbins are launched, allowing customers to further differentiate their products with unique and colorful paper options.
2024
June 25
The KiefVac upgrade is launched, helping customers with “kiefier” strains keep the air and environment around their Blackbird cleaner, and reducing kief-produced wear and treat on their machine.
2024
June 25
The largest upgrade to date, SuperSpeed is launched. This adds improvements in speed, stability and product consistency with the addition of a dual feed system, dual scales, and software overhaul.
2024
July 1
Cheyenne Kelly hired as a Production Technician and is RollPros’ 30th employee.
2024
August 8
The 75 millionth joint is rolled by RollPros Blackbirds.
2024
September 20
Blackbird #150 installed at legendary brand Seed Junkie’s facility in California.
2024
Nov 6
Blackbird wins 2024 Cannatech Innovation Award!
2025
February
The 100 Millionth joint is rolled on a RollPros Blackbird
