Demand for smart connected packaging is increasing the need for companies to be customer-relevant: The drive to achieve supply chain resiliency while also advancing sustainability is paramount.

Colorful variety is what the most famous chocolate bar in the 100g format from Ritter Sport stands for. Its dimensions are just as varied as the many different types of chocolate offered.

Awards were presented in the categories of Design, Functionality & Convenience, Logistics & Material Flow, Sustainability, and more. The awards are a precursor to the Gold Awards that will be announced in September.

Michael Kundinger of Kundinger Inc. elaborates on several of the technologies that the company showcased at its booth at the recent Converters Expo.

More than 800 people have been thrown out of work by the abrupt closure of audio-video equipment manufacturer Funai (Thailand) Co in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Requirements of distributed ledger systems for secure human factor services

Client to authenticator protocol/Universal 2-factor framework

New Appendix V - Provisional planning values for the fullband equipment impairment factor and the fullband packet loss robustness factor

Demystifying External Actor Influence in Africa’s Technology Sector  Africa Center for Strategic Studies

Sodium-ion batteries are cheaper than lithium-ion batteries — and they're also more environmentally friendly. And "In the past few years, sodium-ion battery production has increased in the United States," reports the Washington Post, with a new factory planned to manufacture them "in the same way as lithium-ion batteries, just with different ingredients. Instead of using expensive materials like lithium, nickel and cobalt, these will be made of sodium, iron and manganese..." Last month, sodium-ion battery manufacturer Natron Energy announced it would open a "gigafactory" in North Carolina that would produce 24 gigawatt hours of batteries annually, enough energy to charge 24,000 electric vehicles. But sodium-ion batteries are still early in their development compared with lithium-ion, and they have yet to hit the market on a massive scale. "It's unlikely sodium-ion could displace lithium-ion anytime soon," said Keith Beers, polymer science and materials chemistry principal engineer at technical consultancy firm Exponent... The biggest limitation of sodium-ion batteries is their weight. Sodium weighs nearly three times as much as lithium, and it cannot store the same amount of energy. As a result, sodium-ion batteries tend to be larger. Jens Peters, an economics professor at the University of Alcalá in Madrid, said the energy density could be improved over time in sodium-ion batteries. But, he added, "what we found out so far in our assessments is that it is not a game changer." Sodium-ion batteries are touted to be the environmentally friendly alternative to their lithium-ion counterparts, thanks to their raw materials. Sodium, iron and manganese are all abundant elements on the planet, so they require less energy to extract and cost less... Sodium-ion batteries also last longer than lithium-ion ones because they can withstand more charge cycles, said Wendell Brooks, co-CEO of Natron Energy. "Our product can have millions of cycles," said Brooks, "where lithium-ion would have three to five thousand cycles and wear out a lot faster...." Sodium-ion batteries aren't the best fit for smartphones or electric vehicles, which need to store lots of energy. However, one advantage is their low cost. And they could be a good candidate in situations where the size of the battery isn't a concern, like energy storage. "When something is built out to support grid or backup storage, it doesn't need to be very dense. It's staying put," Beers said. Natron will invest nearly $1.4 billion in the factory "to meet the rapidly expanding demand for critical power, industrial and grid energy storage solutions," according to their announcement. "Natron's high-performance sodium-ion batteries outperform lithium-ion batteries in power density and recharging speed, do not require lithium, cobalt, copper, or nickel, and are non-flammable... Natron's batteries are the only UL-listed sodium-ion batteries on the market today, and will be delivered to a wide range of customer end markets in the industrial power space, including data centers, mobility, EV fast charging, microgrids, and telecom, among others."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Look around a jobsite, and you’ll likely see many crew members wearing Red Wing boots.

Roofing industry makes outreach, education and business networking a priority in Dallas as the percentage of Latino workers in roofing continues to climb.

The BBB International Torch Awards for Ethics recognize businesses that maintain outstanding dedication to upholding ethical business practices and promoting trust in the marketplace.  

The roofing contracting market is hot, but high volume can create sloppy practices that can haunt you when the market slows.

When deciding how to run your roofing business, you need to balance items like raising prices, managing costs and tracking jobs.

Navigating tough economic times is never easy, but don’t make it harder by not being realistic about examining overhead costs.

Branding is more than a logo or slogan.

If you take the right steps, these seven common roofing contractor pitfalls can be avoided and your business can thrive.

Here are some the smart things contractors do to make their businesses succeed, and tips on how to do those things if you aren’t already.

A family legacy and great advice from a college professor led Z Roofing & Waterproofing to massive growth.

Amstill Roofing CEO Sam Stilley shares his perspective on the importance of adopting technology and the roofing industry’s future.

Ohio-based Newman Roofing celebrates its 30th anniversary with a new facility and solar roofing opportunities.

This Indianapolis-based roofing contractor set out to be one of the most reputable companies in its market through communication and education.

Watkins Construction & Roofing has successfully served central Mississippi for two decades thanks to an intense focus of quality and customer service.

Kauffmann Quality Construction owner Ivan Kauffmann shares his roofing journey and how his company continues to weather supply shortages amid a slow pandemic recovery.

By creating its own award-winning technology to optimize assessments, Superstorm Restoration has grown thanks to a streamlined process that earns loyal customers.

King of Texas Roofing wears its crown proudly, providing unparalleled new construction services to the commercial industry in Dallas and beyond.

Quality Construction and Restoration’s commitment to serving the military housing market has led the Texas-based company to work in 15 different states.

From Google’s high-tech campus to international airports, Kodiak Roofing & Waterproofing has roofed them all thanks to its dedication to safety and continuous training for employees.

RestoreMasters Contracting continues on its meteoric rise in the commercial roofing sector by embracing its values of service, sacrifice and delivery.

Advanced Roofing has grown into one of the elite commercial contractors in Florida with a commitment to quality and an eye for strategic diversification.

RC caught up with SPFA President Bonnie Strickler to learn about the pathways spray foam can offer to professionals.

Quality and an excellent work ethic define this family-owned commercial contractor.

By concentrating on single-ply new construction, R L Murphey Commercial Roof Systems is showing commercial contractors how it’s done in North Texas.

Wisconsin-based roofing contractor creating a legacy with quality work, giving back.

PJ Fitzpatrick LLC, a Delaware home improvement company, grew from Peter Fitzpatrick's dining table to a $115-million enterprise with 425 employees, five regional offices, and three divisions. 

Meet Dennis Bresette and Jason Seura, principals of Lee's Summit, Mo.-based Green River Roofing & Construction, a residential and commercial contracting firm that earns about 90% of its revenue from residential roofing jobs on U.S. military bases.

Asphalt shingles remain America's most popular residential roofing option. Here's how to help homeowners consider sustainability when making roofing decisions.

There are many project scheduling methods and programs available out in the construction world.

Last season, I spotted more than a dozen mostly residential crews working without fall protection.

Face masks aren’t the only way to stop the spread of COVID-19. Here are some viable alternatives that can keep workers safe.

By practicing situational awareness every day, contractors can keep themselves and others safe while on the job.

In response to extreme heat this summer, Solid Roofing in Oklahoma provided IV hydration through a mobile service to its crews working in triple-digit weather, highlighting the importance of staying hydrated in such conditions.

Adam Burdine, his two brothers and founding partner Steve Kruse lead Tampa, Fla.-based RAMCON Roofing, a commercial firm emphasizing trust, communication, and quality, focusing on large commercial and industrial roof systems. 

If you know someone under the age of 40 making a difference in your company’s success in roofing, you probably know our next Young Gun. Don’t miss out!

The Owens Corning booth at IRE highlights roofing products that fuse high-performance with beauty and style.

The 2020 Residential Contractor of the Year speaks candidly about her start in roofing and how she hopes to inspire the next generation of skilled workers.

Submit nominations for both the annual Top 100 Roofing Contractors list and residential and commercial Roofing Contractors of the Year before the June 1 deadline.