2018 Manufacturing Innovation Award: Clemens Food Group in Coldwater, Michigan

The new 656,000-sq-ft plant pork processing plant uses highly automated production and material handling systems that are linked throughout the facility for a continuous processing stream. Technology such as fully automated laser-guided saws, high-pressure water trim processes, and an automated storage and retrieval system enhance worker and food safety while allowing the facility to produce 12 million lbs of pork per week.

Aug 9th, 2018

Tyson Foods Shuts Pork Plant due to COVID-19

Facility has temporarily closed despite President Trump’s order to keep slaughterhouses open to protect country’s food supply.

Perdue Farms Shares CDC Report After Virginia Facility Tours

CDC recommends installing pump-free hand sanitizers, touchless timeclocks, airflow studies, and continuing virus safety measures already in place.

Jorge Izquierdo breaks down the present state of the industry, with a positive eye towards a post COVID-19 world.

OEM COVID-19 #11 - State of the Packaging & Processing Industry

PMMI's Jorge Izquierdo predicts promising times ahead for packaging and processing despite current COVID-19 climate

Build Relationships for Contract Manufacturing Success

There are controllable factors that can have a profound effect on a successful CPG/co-manufacturing relationship, including safety, trust, honesty, negotiation, brand protection, confidentiality, and skin in the game.

The wearable Kinexon SafeTag warns the user, audibly and visually, when the physical distance with another employee has been compromised.

Technology Steps Forward for Social Distancing

As more manufacturers are allowed to resume production amid the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping their workers distanced will be key to keeping them healthy. Here are some innovations to help achieve that.

New Guidance on Voluntary Reporting of Temporary Closures During Pandemic

In many cases, FDA may not be aware that firms are temporarily closed or need to close as a result of the pandemic.

Film unwind on the new stretch wrapping system at Badoit.

Multipacking Optimized

Top quality natural mineral water and an exclusive bottle design are the trademarks of the Badoit brand, and now their multipacks are also consistently first class.

Workers wear masks and gloves, keep social distance during COVID-19 pandemic.

Evolving Pandemic Requires Constant Evaluation at J. M. Smucker

In addition to implementing extensive sanitation measures and temperature screenings at its locations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and keep employees safe, the company has introduced hardship pay and other benefits.

Monte Vista Farming Company uses the TOMRA Nimbus to scan almonds for smaller, subtle defects. The Nimbus’ Biometric Signature Identification+ technology uses visible and near-infrared light to inspect the chemical and molecular characteristics of the almond’s surface and internal structure.

Sorting Equipment Covers All the Bases for Inspecting Almonds

An almond processor ensures its products are free of defects by using sorting equipment outfitted with innovative x-ray-, laser-, spectral-imaging-, and camera-based technologies.

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Sustainability in Secondary Packaging Lines

Secondary packaging lines need greater precision when handling materials with variances in content and weight, according to a new report by PMMI Business Intelligence.

Nestlé Building Plant-based Food Facility in China

Project is part of company’s $100 million-plus investment plan to increase Nestlé’s presence in the area.

Pyraser Landbrauerei has recently invested in a KHS Innofill Glass DRS glass bottle filler.

New Filler for Beer

Pyraser Landbrauerei, founded in 1868 in the Franconia region of Germany, recently invested in a KHS Innofill Glass DRS filler.

Nestlé is piloting reusable and refillable dispensers for pet food and soluble coffee products as part of its efforts to reduce single-use packaging.

Nestlé Pilots Reusable and Refillable Dispensers in Switzerland

Nestlé pilots digitally-integrated refillable dispensers for its Purina pet food and Nescafé soluble coffee products to reduce single-use packaging and food waste.

FDA announces latest actions taken in response effort to the COVID-19 pandemic

Documents detail personal protective equipment recommendations and flexibility in labeling requirements.

Swen Neufeldt, Incoming Group Vice President And President Of Hormel Foods International Corporation

Hormel Foods International Corporation to Have New President

Vice President of Meat Products Marketing Swen Neufeldt being promoted to leadership position

Looking Ahead to New Packaging Material Innovation

Packaging engineers and product developers must work together to create new sustainable initiatives in packaging material innovation.

Tufftalk M Cnc Shop Alyssa

Technology Built for the Open Road Hits the Plant Floor

General Mills turns to Sena Technologies—known for its Bluetooth motorcycle helmets—to train machine operators while social distancing.

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Near-Term Technology Expansion in the Food and Beverage Industries

Remote access and robotics are two areas in the Food and Beverage industries that are poised to see some growth moving into 2021, though the industries as a whole are expected to contract.

Kan Pak U s President Chad Buechel

Golden State Foods Names Subsidiary President

Chad Buechel tapped to lead KanPak U.S., will be responsible for all aspects of the business

Foremost Farms USA Ceasing Cheese Plant Operations

Wisconsin site’s doors are scheduled to close permanently this summer.

More in Home

Sun-Maid Raisins 10-oz bag AFTER the redesign

Little Red Box Gets First Redesign in Decades

A brand refresh for Sun-Maid’s raisin and other whole-fruit products includes changes that aim to appeal to millennial shoppers looking for healthy snacks for their families.

Like almost all of Spacestation’s beverage output as a copacker, the company’s own Flybeverage brands—Nectr and Uncle Arnie’s—use a shrink sleeve labeling system that is flexible enough for a variety of different combinations of bottle dimensions/heights, substrates, container transparency levels, and closure styles.

Shrink Sleeve Fits Fine for Cannabis Seltzer & Soda Line

With varied SKUs for CM/CP business, plus a quickly growing in-house brand of its own, this cannabis-infused beverage producer found that shrink sleeve labeling is the right solution for just about any and all form factors, whether glass, PET, or cans.

Image-based scanners are displacing standard laser scanners, providing the capability to read 2D barcodes, which can be much smaller than traditional barcodes. Photo courtesy of Cognex.

New Technologies Feed the Hunger for Information

Trying to keep up with productivity, quality, safety, sustainability, and other industry demands, food and beverage plants are turning increasingly to the innovations found in today’s sensor instrumentation.

IO-Link Connects the Food and Beverage Industry

The proliferation of digital protocols has made it easier for producers to get the information they need from their instrumentation. Sensor suppliers explain why IO-Link is gaining particular traction.

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Economic Outlook: 2020 and Beyond

Discussing the current economic outlook amidst a “double black swan event,” Alex Chausovsky of ITR Economics presented “Guidance in an Uncertain Economy” last week as part of PMMI’s Executive Leadership Conference.

Direct digital printing on aluminum cans is what made this slogan-and-rainbow campaign possible.

Direct Digital Print Brings AR Experience to Beverage Cans

By printing a QR code on the side of aluminum beverage cans, this Canadian firm and three partnering beverage producers are lifting spirits in this time of pandemic.

Emerson Boulder Facility

Emerson Expanding Manufacturing Space and Creating New Innovation Center in Colorado

Center will enhance advanced measurement technologies for food and beverage, power and energy industries.

Just like in this iceberg image, hidden operating costs can sink you. Total cost of ownership enables gathering better data and understanding for better informed decisions.

It’s All About the Cost, Not the Price

Just like all change management, total cost of ownership is a journey that has transformational results when successfully implemented.

Boombox-Inspired Shippers Reinforce ‘Soda with Soul’ Proposition

With the COVID-19 lockdown, U.K. craft soda company Dalston’s unveils new shippers for its growing online sales that pay homage to its music roots, while introducing new consumers to the brands’ values and personality.

Machine Efficiency and the Impacts of Sustainable Packaging

Many primary packaging lines are no longer dedicated to a single product as SKUs increase, impacting line efficiency. Sustainable material changes may also create challenges.

Abe Eshkenazi, CEO of the Association for Supply Chain Management

Supply Chains Race to Match Shifting COVID-19 Consumer Behavior

Abe Eshkenazi, CEO of the Association for Supply Chain Management, discusses what retailers can expect in terms of changing consumer behavior—namely a shift away from commercial/foodservice, and toward e-commerce and retail.

InvisiShield uses a patented 3-Phase Activ-Polymer technology to reduce 99.9% of pathogens in sealed packaging.

Behind the Shield: InvisiShield Defends Fresh-Cut Produce from Harmful Pathogens

The anti-microbial packaging acts as a final kill step in the supply chain.