When COVID-19 began spreading across America, the Food Bank of Alaska in Anchorage quickly became overwhelmed. The organization had been making the best of outdated equipment in a remote location for many years, often dealing with breakdowns that led to significant losses of perishable food items. But, as the pandemic brought many longstanding issues to a head, it became clear that a permanent solution needed to be found.

Vertical form fill seal (VFFS) machines can mean different things to different people. The criteria used in evaluating, and ultimately determining, which bagging machine to buy is likely different if you are a small startup manufacturer versus operating for a global Fortune 500 brand.

The company successfully completed a build-out with employee-centered construction for Crown Bakeries.

Buying online is growing, and FPL Food LLC in Augusta, Ga., has been leaning into this trend while also selling large volumes of beef to retail stores, foodservice and food manufacturing partners.

A single-stream mechanical recycling pilot demonstration produces the rFlex bale, a flexible packaging byproduct that could be used for future end markets and as a possible feedstock.

Niagara Bottling’s new 600,000-sq.-ft. production and distribution facility in Rialto, Calif., manufactures and distributes 120,000 bottles of water per hour. Supporting this throughput are 56 laser-guided vehicles, integrated with a 33,000-position robotic pallet shuttle storage system. Designed and built by E80 Group, the distribution automation operates 24/7/365.

How manufacturing machinery developer Norwalt took a not-so-straight line to high-speed automated assembly for the multifaceted Cirkul Sip beverage system.

Solutions for accurate control, easy maintenance and remote diagnostics.

A brewer turns to Siemens for its turnkey Blockchain-based Trusted Traceability Solution to expedite future recall scenarios throughout the brewer’s extensive supply chain.

Co-manufacturer Cascade Coffee adds automation to its secondary packaging operations by adding six cobot palletizing units.

Changing consumer preferences and regulations have introduced additional complexity to supply chains, necessitating that food and beverage retailers invest in robust traceability solutions.

After years of mergers and acquisitions, large food and beverage companies seek operational data visibility across multiple plants to drive efficiencies.

FOOD ENGINEERING talks with Mintel Consulting’s Lynn Dornblaser about consumer preferences for pet food over the last five years and what’s ahead.

While expanding production with a new line that sweetens and dehydrates different types of berries, Zarecki turned to Key Technology for a vibratory conveyor system with five Impulse shakers.

The De Marchi Group's operations range from the large-scale cultivation of fruit, vegetables and greens to the production of frozen foods and "in nature" foods for Brazil and abroad.

For soda manufacturers seeking to fine-tune their syrup filtration processes, backflushable stacked disc cartridges can play a key role in ensuring consistent soft drink quality.

This new technology not only gives consumers confidence is knowing their food is safe, but helps supply chain participants and restaurants pull bad products.

Changing characteristics, product and orientation effect can disrupt product signals and affect detection sensitivity if not addressed. However, digital technologies and machine learning are pushing the innovation boundaries and streamlining inspection processes.

Belzona 5811DW2 (DW Immersion Grade) is a solvent-free coating initially designed for the protection of surfaces operating under potable water immersion or where potable water approval is required. 

Allagash Brewing Company reports that it has experienced a more than 40% reduction in unplanned work orders since implementing Limble, a CMMS and asset management platform, across its maintenance organization.

Missouri-based Backer's Potato Chip Company turned to Vanmark to replace its deteriorating bulk bin system.

Read up on the growing frozen ready-meal market as well as how inflation has accelerated private label share and penetration in this installment of Nuts & Bolts.

Belle Pulses, in Saskatchewan, Canada, produces pea and legume protein for plant-based products including crackers and baked goods, dairy, soups and meats.

In January 2020, I started as the Editor-in-Chief of FOOD ENGINEERING’s sister publication, Refrigerated & Frozen Foods. At the time, I was looking forward to touring cold foods processing plants and learning about the industry firsthand, which in turn, would make our editorial content stronger, because I’d be writing from experience rather than second-hand information delivered via email and phone calls.

Designed to transfer contamination-sensitive bulk solid materials from intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) to downstream processes, dust-free, the system’s discharger frame is mounted on casters for in-plant mobility.

Designed for food processors seeking a safer, more energy-efficient means to convey product with less spillage, breakage or downtime due to necessary cleaning and maintenance, the company offers 8" diameter tubular drag conveyors that provide these advantages with essentially double the volumes of 6" units. 

I recently toured our 2022 Plant of the Year in preparation for next month’s announcement and cover story reveal of our winner. While there, I had our July cover story in my head and filtered everything I saw through this question: “What is the state of food manufacturing today?”

Through the collaboration, ADM will process and commercialize a portfolio of proprietary ingredients derived from Benson Hill Ultra-High Protein (UHP) soybeans through an exclusive North American licensing partnership.

A tubular chain conveyor helps TruFood increase line efficiency and safety, nourishing the manufacturer’s bottom line.

This month’s dry processing product focus covers bulk bag handling equipment.

The system cleans product of debris to improve product quality and line efficiency.

Nixon helps in guiding your facilities' assessment of agricultural and food processing risks through dust hazard analysis, NFPA 61 compliance, and leading options to address the risk of combustible dust explosions.

The Volkmann Mini RNT is designed to reduce manual bag handling for improved worker safety.

The equipment is designed to augment food safety and production rates and improve operator working conditions.

The company’s flexible, transparent Seeflex 040E material is designed as a bridging solution for processing bulk powders.

Designed for manufacturing environments where dust-producing products can create an explosive atmosphere, the cETLus-certified systems adhere to construction standards and fulfill the requirements for Class II, Division 2 Hazardous locations.

Operating as part of Automated Handling Solutions (AHS), Spiroflow and Cablevey Conveyors provides the Scottish oats producer with a bespoke conveyor system.

The $1.9 million investment includes Blendco as a future tenant with help from Cornerstone Alliance.

The $100 million facility will be largely dedicated to Goldfish and Pepperidge Farm production.

Dust removal, air treatment, heat recovery, air balancing and conditioning systems by Aeris for the packaging department at the new “First One” industrial site in San Vito al Tagliamento, Pordenone, Italy.

Gericke’s dust-free docking station is included as standard equipment on the bulk bag unloader.

The eight-lane machine provides auger filling of 40 grams of powder at 75 cycles per minute.

Conveyor manufacturers have taken many steps over the years to simplify cleaning and operation—and maximize uptime.

An expert integrator offers best practice strategies to increase productivity and profit by upgrading critical bulk bag filling equipment.

Recent research compared the carrying capacity of PPG’s precipitated silica to maltodextrin. Results showed that PPG Flo-Gard silicas provided more than 40 times the carrying capacity of maltodextrin.

The 2018 Southeast Flooring Market, which took place January 3-4 at the Cobb Galleria Centre, reported double the number of 2017 exhibiting companies and a 52% buyer attendance increase year over year.

Five hundred members of Flooring America, Flooring Canada and The Floor Trader learn the latest strategies to drive growth and market differentiation for independent flooring retailers.

AdHawk first partnered with FloorForce in 2016 to provide digital advertising technology to flooring retailers.

Waterproof engineered stone flooring competes against ceramic tile.

Design professionals who rely on the service to search and sample materials will now find more than 130 Emser Tile collections on the site.