OEM COVID-19 #14 - Update on PACK EXPO International and Healthcare Packaging EXPO

PMMI's Laura Thompson shares the latest and greatest on planning for November's event, including variables like virtual and hybrid options.

Jun 15th, 2020

UnPACKed with PMMI Update on PACK EXPO International & Healthcare Packaging EXPO,

UnPACKed with PMMI Update on PACK EXPO International & Healthcare Packaging EXPO,

Nothing brings the packaging industry together like PACK EXPO International and Healthcare Packaging EXPO. In this episode of UnPACKED with PMMI Laura Thompson, VP, Trade Shows at PMMI provides an update on the status of November’s show, plans for hybrid and virtual options and why it is more important than ever for exhibitors and attendees to take advantage of the connections and opportunity it provides.

Stay tuned for more podcasts with offering guidance around COVID-19 in an effort to keep the industry informed, strong and connected.

Winning Paths to Environmental Savings

Smithfield Foods, McCormick & Company, Conagra Brands, and Hiland Dairy go above and beyond to save energy, water, solid waste, ingredients, and food products by scrutinizing their operations and taking advantage of state and utility grants.

Joyce Fassl Photo For Web

Recalculating for a Better New Normal by Year End

While PPE supplies seem to be under control, current pandemic-related challenges include the ongoing labor crunch, greater demand to produce goods for grocery stores, difficulty in forecasting future production needs—and, now, a can shortage.

Purina Mechanicsburg Plant

Nestlé Purina PetCare Company Expanding Pennsylvania Plant

Move reflects company's commitment to local operations and the continuation of delivering innovative, highly nutritious foods for pets.

Getty Images 1225601807

Pandemic Causes Shift to New Plant Tools

From pandemic preparedness certification to augmented reality tools, food and beverage manufacturers are embracing new tools. Plus see how Nestlé uses smart glasses to work on complex projects at its facilities during the coronavirus crisis.

Sartori Cheese President Bert Sortori

Sartori Cheese Names New President

Bert Sartori, a fourth-generation Sartori family member, transitions to new position as company leader.

UnPACKing 2020 IoPP Salary Survey with Matt Reynolds, Editor, Packaging World

Are You Earning What You Should (or Could) Be Earning?

Listen to the latest podcast and hear Matt Reynolds UnPACK the 2020 IoPP Salary Survey.

Getty Images 101883732

Can Shortages Hit Food and Beverage Industries

Supply chain issues with aluminum, steel, and tin cans are ramping up as COVID-19 changes buying patterns, resulting in a trickle-down effect on product offerings and time-to-market.

COVID-19 Response Boosts Employee Engagement

Bill Schreiber, CEO of Batavia, NY-based O-AT-KA Milk Products Cooperative, Inc., talks about how his firm’s response to COVID-19 has led to greater employee engagement.

Boston Beer Company Announces Expansion

Company is planning major changes to its Cincinnati, Ohio brewery to increase production of its popular brands.

Nestlé and its suppliers are using augmented reality tools, such as smart glasses, to work on complex projects at its facilities across the globe during the coronavirus crisis.

Nestlé Accelerates Use of Augmented Reality Amidst COVID-19

AR provides the remote assistance Nestlé needs to install new production lines, upgrade existing lines, and carry out maintenance safely and efficiently during the pandemic.

The future of manufacturing can't be imagined in a present-forward mindset. Innovation comes from the future-back.

Reverse Engineering the Organization

A new book reveals how “future-back” thinking—defining what the company will look like decades from now and working backwards—can encourage innovative ideas that will create breakthrough growth.

Tanker Unloading Project Reaps Megabucks for Conagra Brands

A switch to air pressurizing the tankers, instead of using tanker truck pumps, resulted in nearly 100% of product to be emptied from each tanker load.

Coke Plans to Dump More “Zombie” Brands

In an effort to cut costs, Coca-Cola is cutting underperforming brands, products, flavors and packaging that are not delivering on returns.

Flowers Foods Brands

Flowers Foods Announces Strategic Organizational Realignment

The move is being taken to bring a more structured approach to innovation and the development of additional products, while enabling the company to build on the strength of its brands.

The Flexicon BULK-OUT BFC-C-X bulk bag discharger ensures constant and complete discharge of JB Cocoa’s presscakes with features including a telescoping tube and bag activators.

Cocoa Powder Processor Achieves Plant Hygiene and Efficiency

A bulk bag discharger helps JB Cocoa create a dust-free environment and optimizes operations for its cocoa powder processing line. A high-integrity seal and top-mounted enclosure add to the equipment’s performance.

This oil-free air compressor from Atlas Copco helps McCormick & Company save on energy costs. Photo courtesy of McCormick & Company.

Compressed Air Upgrade at McCormick Provides Excellent Energy Savings

The company's Maryland facility replaced two 9 year old-systems with four new compressors and dryers that incorporate best practices in energy efficiency.

Aib%20 International%20 Pandemic%20 Prepared%20 Certification%20logo%20mark

Pandemic Prepared Certification Launched

The certification provides assurance for the food and beverage supply chain and consumers that companies are committed to establishing and maintaining best practices.

Cargill Sets Water Restoration Target

Company also aims to reduce pollutants, improve access to safe drinking water, and implement water stewardship program at facilities.

Ted Speas, Stellar Division Vice President Of Distribution And Logistics

Stellar Appoints New Division Vice President

Ted Speas will assume responsibility for all aspects of the company’s distribution and logistics business unit.

You Can Always Get What You Want From RFPs

The OpX Leadership Network’s RFP Guidelines for the CPG Industry and its accompanying RFP Process Template give CPGs a consistent preparation process that enhances the clarity of customer expectations while minimizing important information omissions.

More in Home

Ocean Spray President And Ceo Tom Hayes

Ocean Spray Names New Leadership

Former Tyson Foods executive Tom Hayes becomes agricultural cooperative’s new chief executive officer and president.

The BlakBear sensor determines the shelf life of perishable foods like packaged fresh meats by detecting and measuring the gas emitted from the products as they spoil.

Packaging Sensor Predicts Shelf Life of Perishable Foods

To deter food waste, a paper-based electrical gas sensor measures the freshness of meats, poultry, and fish, indicating how much shelf life is left in the package more accurately than misleading expiration dates.

Maple Leaf Foods Sells Poultry Plant

Giannone Poultry to be new owner of facility located in Drummondville, Quebec

Meat Processing Getty Images 200530070 001

CDC Update: COVID-19 Among Workers in Meat and Poultry Processing

Latest CDC research reports 91 COVID-19 related deaths and more than 17,000 cases across U.S. meat and poultry facilities.

Dr. Frank Melzer (middle) and Marcus Stemler (right) of Festo discuss how digital pneumatics can save energy.

Festo Explores How Digitization Affects Energy, Education

From digital pneumatics to bionic birds, the automation supplier discusses the technologies that will shape the factory of the future.

Looking to Enter the German F&B Packaging Machinery Market?

PMMI Business Intelligence has a new report that will help readers understand how German companies choose packaging machinery for the food and beverage manufacturing industry.

McCain Foods Commits to More Sustainable Potato Farming

Company is seeking ways to overcome challenges, such as changing weather patterns and deteriorating soil quality.

Goodwill Opening New Vegetable Oil Plant

The new Goodwill of the Heartland facility will provide training and well-paying jobs, half of which will be for people with significant disabilities.

Getty Images 477378050

Reports Say Tyson, Other Processors to Replace Meat Cutters with Robots

The ongoing food and beverage manufacturing industry labor crisis combined with the pandemic is behind the need for more automation, including robotics.

In honor of John's lifelong passion for fishing, donations to Michigan's Trout Unlimited are requested in lieu of flowers.

Packaging Industry Remembers John Kowal

John Andrew Kowal, loving husband, sibling, and uncle, passed away at the age of 62 on Wednesday July 8, 2020 at home with his family at his side. He fought the good fight against cancer until the very end.

Plants should modify processing lines so that workers are at least six feet apart in all directions and do not face each other. Image courtesy of CDC.

New CDC Interim Guidance for Meat and Poultry Workers

Plants should modify processing lines so that workers are at least six feet apart in all directions and do not face each other. A qualified workplace coordinator should be identified who will be responsible for COVID-19 assessment and control planning.

Frito-Lay Expanding Georgia Plant

PepsiCo’s Plano, Texas-based division will add lines to produce Frito-Lay tortilla chip products and Baked Cheetos, and include space for future growth.