Acquisition allows ProMach to establish a powerful position in the food and pet care sectors where can filling and sterilization are required.

Acquisition allows JLS to expand its full-line integration capabilities, including palletizing.

With the addition of the Hartness High-Speed Layer Palletizing Tool, Schneider is now able to offer its world-class solutions to an even larger portion of the palletizing market.

Rethceif is a manufacturer of automated form-fill-seal packaging and robotic palletizing equipment.

Whether it's addressing labor shortages, increasing productivity or accommodating a growing SKU portfolio, the incorporation of palletizing and depalletizing systems has become vital for beverage warehouses.

New cobot palletizers can build pallets as high as 108 inches and handle packaging as heavy as 60 pounds.

In addition to its vast portfolio of conveyance solutions, Sentry manufactures a wide array of packaging equipment, including case and bulk palletizing, de-palletizing, and robotic systems. 

Dorner and Garvey, both Columbus McKinnon brands, recently showcased the AquaGard GT Conveyor at PACK EXPO Las Vegas.

Descon Integrated Conveyor Solutions is a prominent provider of integrated conveyor systems for the food and beverage industry.

Emmepi Group says the objective of the acquisition is to further increase its geographic manufacturing footprint, enhancing its ability to offer a totally integrated solution, aligning with the demands of customers globally.

The petition aims to resolve unequal amounts of product in hot dog and hot dog bun packages.

S. Rozen’s buns and Vienna Beef Hot Dogs say they came up with a solution 16 years ago.

Acquisition will provide Amcor with a fully integrated, production-ready fresh protein packaging solution.

Packaging Strategies recently spoke to three heavyweights in the area of form/fill/seal equipment, TNA Solutions, Viking Masek Packaging Technologies, and Formost Fuji Corp., regarding their responses to a variety of new demands including sustainability and new food trends.

The VELTEKO WASHDOWN-360 vertical packaging machine can be used in operations with more stringent hygiene requirements as well as anywhere that liquids need to be packaged.

The fully servo-driven HQ Series counting & dispensing machines are designed to provide 100% accuracy for primary or secondary packaging of candy, confectionary and chocolate as well as non-food products.

AV Print Inspector offers whole-label inspection, including image matching, code reading and color detection, at speeds up to 80 meters/minute.

The new facility features technology that expands the company’s ability to provide dependable inspection and QA Hold resolution services with shorter shipping times and reduced freight charges to the Southeast region.

Swiss packaging firm explains how the BOBST DIT 106 for folding carton integrated effortlessly into the company’s existing quality assurance system.

The tortillas are made without preservatives but have a shelf life of six months thanks to their protective carbon dioxide and nitrogen atmospheres – provided that the thermoformed packaging is absolutely airtight.

Torus Group, known for its strong portfolio in measurement for metal and rigid packaging in the food and beverage industries, has recently expanded into plastic packaging and medical devices.

Investment includes the acquisition of an AV Flexologic Corrugated Flat Mounting Machine and the integration of Reproflex3's high-definition Vortex™ screening technology.

The interdisciplinary expert jury of the German Design Council awarded IQJET in the category "Excellence in Business to Business: Machines & Engineering" with the Gold German Innovation Award.

Acquisition adds significant capabilities to the Inovar platform, which includes industry-leading pressure sensitive, roll-fed, and RFID label capabilities.

The Versatex Printbar leverages the architecture of two print banks, each equipped with six Xaar Nitrox printheads, to achieve up to three different laydown effects in a single pass and with one varnish.

5 Tips for DMO Managers with More Questions Than Answers jhammond@desti… Tue, 05/07/2024 - 18:30

In the summer months, scheduling music lessons flexibly is possible. How do you want to schedule your summer music lessons?

More records are reached today:

• Dow industrial average closes over 44,000 for the first time ever
• S&P index closes above the 6000 level the first time ever
• NASDAQ index closes at a new record level as well

For the Russell 2000 it lasts record close was back on November 8, 2021 at 2442.21. The index closed at 2434.97 after reaching an intraday high of 2441.72 just short of the record closing level.

The final numbers are showing:

• Dow industrial average +304.14 points or 0.69% at 44293.13
• S&P index up 5.81 points or 0.10% at 6001.35
• NASDAQ index is up 11.99 points or 0.06% at 19298.76
• Russell 2000 up 35.33 points or 1.47% at 2434.97

For the Russell 2000, its high intraday level reached 2458.85 on November 10, 2021. For the year, the Russell 2000 is now up 20.12%. That has now surpassed a down industrial average gain of 17.52%.

The S&P index is now up 25.82% in 2024 while the NASDAQ index is up 28.56%.

Australia data - Wage Price Index for Q3 2024:

+0.8% q/q for the third consecutive quarter

• expected +0.9%, prior +0.8%
• Both the private sector and the public sector rose 0.8%, seasonally adjusted, for the quarter.

+3.5% y/y, lowest annual rise for the series since December quarter 2022 and followed four consecutive quarters of annual wage growth equal to or above 4%.

• expected +3.6%, prior +4.1%

---

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes the Wage Price Index (WPI) quarterly, measuring changes in the price of labor, unaffected by shifts in workforce composition, hours worked, or employee characteristics.

The ABS provides detailed WPI data, including breakdowns by industry and sector, offering insights into wage trends across Australia's economy.

In brief from WPAC's note:

• September quarter Wage Price Index below the RBA’s expectation which pointed to a 0.9%qtr rise in both the September and December quarters of 2024
• Wage inflation peaked at 4.3%yr in December 2023 and has been drifting lower through 2024
• Wage Price Index (WPI) rose 0.8% (3.5%yr) ... The RBA is currently forecasting annual wages growth to print 3.4%yr for end 2024 and hold at that rate through to June 2025.

***

The WPI should easily come in under that RBA forecast by end 2024. While some will point to slowing wages as a reason to cut rates the RBA is in no hurry, still war of elevated demand and inflation likely to pop back above the top of the 2 - 3% target band once government cost of living subsidies roll off.

• Eurostoxx -0.3%
• Germany DAX -0.2%
• France CAC 40 -0.1%
• UK FTSE +0.1%
• Spain IBEX flat
• Italy FTSE MIB -0.2%

There's some push and pull in the opening stages but the changes here don't take away from the heavy selling yesterday. As mentioned since last week, the outlook for European indices remain challenging considering the more dour economic outlook in the region. So far today, US futures are also a little more subdued with S&P 500 futures down 0.3%.

• There are still noticeable price pressures, especially in services sector
• Trump's tariffs may cause German economy to contract
• If tariffs come into effect, it could cost Germany 1% in economic output

And therein lies the dilemma for the ECB heading into next year I guess. The good news is that the disinflation process is still progressing, albeit with a few bumps along the way. All else being equal, the argument for further rate cuts should hold heading into 2025.

• Headline CPI reading not telling us that underlying inflation dynamics have been vanquished
• Services inflation is pretty sticky
• Energy prices are more likely to go up than down
• Sees more volatility and upward bias to some inflation drivers

Do keep in mind that Mann is arguably the most hawkish member among the BOE policy committee. So, her comments here are not as striking as they might seem to be.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) today announced the creation of an advisory committee to the NAB Board of Directors that will provide insights and suggestions on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) issues. The committee will consist of senior-level broadcasters who are women and people of color, and may include current NAB and NAB Leadership Foundation (NABLF) board members who are committed to advancing DEI issues in broadcasting.

Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Rep. Karen Bass (CA-37) will be the inaugural guest in an exclusive new Spotlight Series from the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) featuring members of Congress discussing key initiatives to advance diversity, equity and inclusion and their perspectives on broadcast media.

“Local broadcasters carry the mantel of investigative journalism, shining a light on government corruption, questioning those in power and ensuring consumers have a powerful voice to fight back against injustice. It is concerning that some public officials – typically those whose actions have been called into question – would ask the federal government to step in and censor broadcasters in violation of the First Amendment. The Federal Communications Commission must reject such unconstitutional attacks on free speech. It is a slippery slope, and one that our nation’s founders clearly sought to prevent.”

Washington, D.C. -- Media entrepreneur Byron Allen and Gordon Smith, special advisor to the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), will engage in a candid conversation about their unique careers and roles in the broadcast industry during a fireside chat on the Main Stage of NAB Show on April 27, 2022, at 9:15 a.m. in Las Vegas, Nev.

Washington, D.C. – The 2022 NAB Show will feature NABiQ, a new networking series focused on innovation. Taking place April 23 – 27, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nev., each NABiQ challenge will relate to NAB Show’s content pillars: Create, Connect and Capitalize.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) will host a Diversity Symposium on Sunday, April 24 from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the 2022 NAB Show in Las Vegas. The symposium, designed to help broadcast organizations develop corporate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategies and embrace diversity in media and the workplace, is open to all NAB Show attendees.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) announced today the completion of a new state-of-the-art media production facility at NAB's headquarters, located at 1 M Street, SE in Washington, D.C. The buildout of the facility, including a studio and media hub, was made possible by donations of critical equipment and studio design services from leading companies in the business of content creation and management.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the Federal Communications Commission denied a joint request by NAB and NPR for a two-week extension of the comment deadline in a proceeding on FM broadcast booster stations. The following statement can be attributed to NAB Chief Legal Officer Rick Kaplan:

Washington, D.C. -- Winning projects have been announced for NABiQ, a new networking series focused on innovation and held at the 2022 NAB Show, April 23 – 27, 2022 in Las Vegas. Winners were selected for challenges related to NAB Show’s content pillars of Create, Connect and Capitalize.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and the NAB Leadership Foundation (NABLF) hosted a Human Resources and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Forum on November 15. The one-day symposium, open to senior human resources and DEI executives and professionals in the broadcast industry, focused on creating dialogue and exchanging ideas among broadcast companies regarding talent management, retention and DEI best practices.

Washington, D.C. -- Long-running sports anthology series "ABC's Wide World of Sports" will be inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Broadcasting Hall of Fame at the 2023 NAB Show as this year's television inductee. The show, which aired on ABC from 1961-1998, will be honored at NAB Show during the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame Ceremony on the Main Stage, held April 17 in Las Vegas, Nev.

Washington, D.C. -- The new CineCentral destination at the 2023 NAB Show gives attendees an opportunity to learn side-by-side with Hollywood's award-winning production professionals and gain skills with hands-on training inspired by NAB’s Cine Consortium. CineCentral is located in Central Hall (C7345) and adjacent to the Create Experiential Zone featuring sessions on Cine+Live, the burgeoning live production style where cinematic tools and storytelling is integrated into live entertainment. Additional workshops will be presented by American Cinema Editors, American Society of Cinematographers, International Cinematographers Guild/Local 600 and The Society of Camera Operators.

Venerated television news magazine “60 Minutes” will receive the second annual Insight Award from the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation (LABF) during the Welcome Session at the 2023 NAB Show on April 17 in Las Vegas, Nev. The award recognizes the iconic program’s 55-year history of excellence in broadcast journalism.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Association of Broadcasters today released new radio spots and digital ads highlighting the importance of AM radio in the automobile. These tools include a direct call to action for consumers to contact Congress and will further enhance NAB's advocacy efforts to keep AM radio in the car dashboard.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) filed a petition for mandamus in federal court today seeking to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to expeditiously complete its long-pending 2018 quadrennial review of broadcast ownership rules.