Snack producers and bakers have expanded their explorations into sweet-savory profiles, with sweet-salty, sweet-spicy and sweet-herbal all gaining favor.

As consumer demand for more and diverse baked goods and snacks heats up, today’s ovens and fryers let bakers and snack producers increase production while reducing related costs.

Quick changeovers, smaller products, sanitation needs, oil quality and temperature control are all top-of-mind for customers of griddle and fryer equipment used for key snack and bakery applications, including doughnuts and frozen breakfast products like waffles and pancakes, as well as fried snack items, like chips.

KIND's new Savory Bars bring forth a unique mix of nuts and a smokey and spicy profile, resulting in a bold taste in every bite, per the brand.

Known for its plant-based, real-food ingredients, Laird Superfood’s Pumpkin Spice line is crafted with a signature blend of ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon, plus real pumpkin.

This product not only offers a healthy snack option, but also addresses the growing concern of packaging waste in India.

The bars include a pumpkin spice-inspired base with chunks of white chocolate pieces, topped with graham cracker-flavored clusters and a gourmet drizzle.

HANTEMP Controls has unveiled a new line of stainless steel control valves & modules for pressure, temperature, and liquid control.

Snack producers and bakeries can travel multiple avenues toward improved operational efficiency. Additional automation is a natural progression.

Advances in fleet management are being driven by routing and scheduling software linked to in-cab vehicle tracking equipment that streamlines the delivery process. These advances can help cut costs and better monitor delivery of products in a market where on-time delivery is crucial.

Thermal management is crucial to processing, storing and delivering several types of snacks and baked goods. The latest systems cover a wide range of functions, including chilling dough, cooling product after exiting the oven, and refrigerating or freezing finished product. Specialized cold storage facilities also are part of the mix.

HANTEMP Controls Stainless Steel Float-Switch line has expanded to include the new SSLLA adjustable Float Switch.

New designs that allow for flexible width, more compact production space, easier cleaning and better sanitation, all while featuring more technologically advanced controls, have been foremost on the minds of snack and bakery companies in recent months and years when replacing or upgrading their sheeters and laminators.

In his 1954 compendium of writings, “Ideas and Opinions,” Albert Einstein said that “all knowledge of reality starts from experience and ends in it.” He put forth this scientific “fundamental truth” in connection to his predecessors Johannes Kepler and Galileo Galilei, tying it to the origins of modern science.

Cold-chain management—an essential aspect of many snack and bakery operations today—has entered a brave new world characterized by sophisticated temperature monitoring and tracking technology connected by the Internet of Things (IoT).

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program, the domestic baking industry consumes an estimated $800 million worth of purchased fuels and electricity per year, as noted in its guide, "Energy Efficiency Improvement and Cost Saving Opportunities for the Baking Industry" (Nov. 2016 update, available on www.energystar.gov).

Beckhoff Automation will demonstrate its new AMP8000 distributed servo drive system alongside a complete lineup of automation hardware, software and networking solutions at Pack Expo 2018 in Chicago.

The Power Panel C50 provides the combined advantages of a powerful controller and a modern projected capacitive touch screen in a single HMI device.

EXAIR's new Dual 316 Stainless Steel Cabinet Cooler Systems with ETC (Electronic Temperature Control) keep electrical enclosures cool with 20°F (-7°C) air while maintaining the NEMA 4X rating of the enclosure and removing the heat that could adversely affect the internal components.

Are you thinking about restocking your packaging supplies? If you are, then you have a lot to think about before making the investment. 

With the election of Donald Trump, and a slightly narrower Republican majority in Congress, Washington and the national punditocracy is both stunned and clamoring to find meaning in the election results.

With great trepidation that this column will become immediately obsolete or at least very dated in the short time from submitting it to publication, I want to address the whirlwind of regulatory relief announcements from the new Trump Administration.

This past year on the Stronger Together tour, after the merger of the American Bakers Association (ABA) and the Biscuit & Cracker Manufacturers’ Association, we stopped at Kansas State University (KSU) to meet with the Bakery Science & Management students and participate in the Grain Science and Industry Advisory Council meeting.

During the tumultuous first year of the Trump Administration, the untold story has been the significant efforts to mitigate the numerous regulatory overreaches by the Obama Administration.

The essence of plumbing is its mechanical genius.

The nature of plumbing is such that its most clever innovations usually are obscure to the public eye.

Plumbing and mechanical contracting companies have been the birthright of generations.

American plumbers have accomplished more in two centuries than the Romans did in 10.

People take for granted devices such as the T&P valve, kitchen disposal, flush toilet and so many of our industry's other useful gadgets that have made lives safer, healthier, more comfortable and convenient.

You may be the best technical plumber in town, but you will earn poor reviews and bad word-of-mouth if you cannot communicate well. Here are nine simple steps you can take to improve your communication skills. Almost all of them are non-verbal.

It only takes a little effort to out-recruit the competition. Here are nine ways to become a better recruiter.

Many companies within the construction industry are chasing after the same pool of talent. Here are tips for mitigating the workforce shortage.

The skilled trades industry is evolving as more Gen Z workers choose trades over college. Efforts to obtain certifications through learning modules and hands-on training are becoming integrated into daily work routines, helping tradespeople build long-lasting careers and enabling businesses to succeed.

Did you know that it only takes 30 seconds to create a deepfake? Deepfakes are AI-generated media that can be made using any device. They can be used to spread misinformation and harm a plumbing and mechanical company's reputation.

Trinova USA produces high-performance pinch valves and replacement sleeves, ideal for demanding environments with high abrasion. Made in the USA, these valves and sleeves are widely used in industrial settings, wastewater treatment, power generation, and other rugged applications.

As controller, my job essentially boils down to two things: support our branches and ensure that Leap Partners has the cash flow to fund further acquisitions.  I want to share with you the three fundamental lessons I’ve learned to achieve these goals.

Trimble recognized for commitment to innovation across projects, processes and company culture.

The lab includes a broad range of Trimble’s industry-leading geospatial and construction solutions.

Mechanical contractors are looking to improve operations by cutting costs and boosting efficiency while maintaining quality. A popular solution is the adoption of new technologies, specifically virtual inspection services, which have gained popularity since the pandemic.

The product qualifies for a 30% federal tax credit as well as stackable state and local rebates.

LG Electronics USA expanded its line of ENERGY STAR-certified Inverter Heat Pump Water Heaters with two new models featuring demand response and a water leakage detection sensor, ensuring a comprehensive domestic water heating solution for residential applications.

The unit features whisper-quiet operation at 45 dBA, minimizing noise disruptions in the building. 

Featuring a vertical downflow and draw-through layout, the YORK MCV CRAH is engineered to deliver reliable cooling in above-floor or under-floor data center applications. 

Established as a foundry of brass fixtures in 1851, Oventrop has since evolved into a global manufacturer of balancing valves and thermostatic radiator valves for the building industries. The family-owned company is now expanding into the American market, and Plumbing & Mechanical Chief Editor Nicole Krawcke had the chance to chat with Nicola Schannath, CEO of Oventrop-US, about the company’s plans in the United States and current PHCP-PVF market trends.

Grundfos announced the launch of the next generation of small circulators for the residential heating market with the introduction of the Grundfos Digital NEXT range — starting with the UPSe 15-58 in late 2022, followed by the release of the new, digital ALPHA 15-58 in early 2023.

The Bell & Gossett HYDROVAR HVL pump controller, combined with the Series e-1510 base-mounted end suction pump, provides flexibility and efficiency for new and retrofit applications in buildings, utilities and general industry.

Despite some reprieve from the draught that gripped the state for several years, Californians continue to find resourceful ways to trim their water consumption. Businesses large and small are no exception. 

Wilo USA offers a range of solar borehole pumps, including a new 4” solar submersible pump.