6 Key Robotics Trends in Packaging and Operations

How CPG companies and manufacturers in other industries are increasingly using robotics to improve operations.

The past few years have allowed for great leaps in robotics technology including improved sensors, easier programming, integrated unified controls, a widening selection of end-of-arm tooling and rapid enhancement in the power of artificial intelligence. Fill out the form below to download 6 Key Robotics Trends in Packaging and Operations.

Kraft Heinz Acquisition

Kraft Heinz Announces Agreement to Purchase Assan Foods

The acquisition of the Turkish company aligns with Kraft Heinz’s international growth strategy and offers the opportunity to build its retail and foodservice business across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Perdue Stewardship Report Fy21

Perdue Farms Releases FY2021 Company Stewardship Report

The report highlights Perdue’s successes in achieving its environmental sustainability goals and being good stewards of the environment

Tyson Foods Targets 2050 to Achieve Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The move to net zero is an expansion of the company’s current science-based target of achieving a 30% GHG emissions reduction by 2030, which is aligned with limiting global temperature rise to 2 ℃.

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Beverage Suppliers Facing Post-COVID Challenges and Opportunities

Consumer demand is pushing SKU expansion and innovative new product opportunities for beverage manufacturers, but supply chain disruption has also created challenges.

McCain Global Sustainability Report Reveals Progress and New Commitments

Regenerative agriculture promised by the company will restore and protect soil health and quality and use natural processes to control pests, prevent plant disease, and strengthen crops against severe weather events.

Flowers Foods Buys Koffee Kup Bakery Assets

The acquisition from the court-appointed receiver of the assets gives Flowers Foods both brands and production capacity in the Northeast, a key growth market for the company as it moves forward.

While most agree we won’t be returning to normal as we have known it, they also agree there will be a continual need for discipline and repeatability in manufacturing in the new normal world as well.

Coronavirus’s Impact, Learnings, and the Value of Discipline

Prior to the pandemic, manufacturers spent most of their time optimizing assets and processes. When the crisis struck, the industry was forced to reinvent day-to-day activities. Refocusing on people is the key to being prepared for future uncertain times.

In many food plants, workers are in close proximity, causing concerns for spreading contagions.

Pushing Change to Keep Workers Safe, Plants Running

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted food and beverage manufacturers to implement several new safety measures along with cutting-edge technologies geared toward maintaining production in a booming market. As we move forward, which changes will take root?

Smithfield Foods Expands Sustainability Program

A new report reveals the company is building on its carbon reduction efforts and details Smithfield’s ongoing commitment to growth in areas critical to responsible food production.

At MWC, Fanuc robots are used to place the packaged 40-lb blocks of cheese onto pallets before they go through a stretch wrapper and are taken to the warehouse.

MWC’s Robot Configurations Provide Flexibility

Robotics come into play in the cheesemaker's palletizing operations. But for the most part, that level of complexity isn't needed in a facility producing such consistent product types and sizes. What's needed more is simplified automation.

At Proliant Dairy Ingredients’ new facility in St. Johns, Mich., a pipe bridge conveys liquid milk permeate and whey permeate from the adjacent MWC plant for producing dry ingredients for feed and food applications. Photo by Thomas Kirby

Bridging the Gap for Whey Permeate

Proliant Dairy Ingredients receives whey permeate from MWC’s concentrate process via a pipe bridge, where it is dried on the world’s largest permeate dryer of its kind. The collaboration provides environmental savings and maximum return for both.

There are some common challenges when launching a new food or beverage product.

Accelerating Speed to Market for New Food and Beverage Product Ideas

There are some common challenges when moving a new food or beverage product from idea to reality, and some considerations such as packaging and sustainability that are an integral part of the process.

FDA Marking World Food Safety Day

The global event aims to draw attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect, and manage foodborne risks to contribute to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, and market access.

Post Holdings Buys Ready-to-Eat Cereal Business from TreeHouse Foods

The acquisition includes two facilities that feature a wide range of production capabilities across batch and extruded products, a research and development facility, and inventory valued at approximately $30 million.

Advanced Manufacturing Emphasized at Powder Show Digital Flow | COVID-19 Shifts Consumer Trends

Take Five Video: International Powder & Bulk Solids Conference is making an in-person return, but live virtual content remains. Also, Tetra Pak’s research suggests consumers are still expecting manufacturers to meet environmental demands despite COVID-19.

Hershey Sustainability Report 2021

Hershey Releases 2020 Sustainability Report

Key progress detailed in the report includes making a positive impact, investing in sustainable cocoa sourcing, setting new science-based targets, and advancing diversity equity and inclusion.

David Newcorn Named Executive Vice President of PMMI Media Group

PMMI Media Group’s Senior VP, Digital & Data is tapped for a new leadership role at the Chicago based B2B company.

The Ignition SCADA system provides alarms for MWC operators, and also provides layers of data capabilities for track and trace, OEE, and more.

Cheesemaker Harvests the Data Cream of the Crop

The MWC cheese and whey facility, ProFood World's 2021 Manufacturing Innovation Award winner, continues to layer on SCADA functionality to get more information from the data it gathers.

Most beverage sales are coming from Asia Pacific, North America, and Western Europe.

Beverage Trends Driving Change in 2021

Changing consumer demands mean beverage manufacturers have to adjust their offerings to satisfy the desire for functional, healthy beverages, while also offering sustainable or convenience packaging.

Cargill Building Palm Oil Refinery in Indonesia

The plant in Lampung will help Cargill meet the growing demand for sustainable, traceable edible palm oil; fully integrate Cargill’s palm supply chain; and ensure sustainable product volumes for future growth.

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Conagra Brands Celebrates Employee-led Sustainable Development Awards Program

Employee sustainability initiatives decrease the company’s carbon footprint, conserve water, reduce waste, and minimize material waste, generating nearly $25 million in company savings.

Donnie King, Tyson Foods president and CEO

Tyson Foods Names Donnie King as President and CEO

King is assuming leadership immediately, following President and CEO Dean Banks’ resignation for personal reasons, following an 8-month tenure.

FDA Launches Challenge to Spur Development of Affordable Traceability Tools

The challenge is part of the agency’s broader food safety efforts to help protect people and animals from contaminated foods by enabling the rapid identification of their sources and helping remove them from the marketplace.

Mars Partners with Microsoft for its Global Digital Transformation

The plan includes a “cloud-first” strategy, leveraging AI, IoT, and digital twins across its businesses, focusing on intelligent supply chains, and delivering hyper-relevant consumer experiences.

JBS Hit By Cyberattack

Attack shuts down Australian operations; some shifts canceled at U.S. and Canadian meat plants while the company works to resolve the issue.

The Massman Automation compact cheese block case packer packages 40-lb. blocks in protective cases for safe shipment and handling.

New Case Packer, Robotic Palletizer, Let Wisconsin Cheesemaker Efficiently Offer Multiple Output Options

With a new automated case packer and palletizer, Wisconsin Whey Protein’s cheesemaking operation can now offer its customers bulk cheese in barrels or in blocks.

The plant includes 16 Tetra Pak vats capable of making 10,000 lb of cheese in every batch.

MWC Creates a Cheese and Whey Recipe for Success

Intellectual property, proven equipment and technology, operational readiness, a seasoned workforce, and the perfect partnerships provide a winning combination to launch MWC’s greenfield dairy facility.

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Is Your Supply Chain a Key Part of Your Brand Sustainability Plan?

According to speakers at Natural Products Expo West, one of the most powerful tools a company has to reduce their climate impact is to engage their supply chain.

Frito-Lay Plans Major Upgrade of Connecticut Plant

The $235 million project will include the addition of two new Cheetos manufacturing lines, making this is the first time that Frito-Lay will manufacture Cheetos in Connecticut.

As product is consistently moving in and out of a warehouse, it’s the non-product zone–with the forklifts, scissor lifts, and large ceiling fans–that gathers the most dust.

From Pest Control to “Roof Diapers,” Food Safety for DC and Warehouse.

AIB International discusses solutions for good manufacturing practices in areas where facilities struggle to meet standards and tend to overlook.

Mondelēz International Buying European Snacking Company Chipita S.A.

The acquisition, which will involve multiple differentiated brands, will add $580 million of revenue in priority-adjacent snacking categories, such as croissants and bake rolls.

Cheney Brothers Statesville, N.C. expansion

Cheney Brothers Expanding Warehouse in North Carolina

The project will provide an additional pallet positions, a larger loading dock, and the means to continue its northward growth path.