Customers of cutting, slicing and portioning equipment for snack and bakery products consider a wide range of parameters: They're hoping to find machinery that offers greater use of robots and automation, better sanitation, higher safety standards, faster speeds, wider and easier-to-clean blades, and reliable and flexible systems that can handle different sizes and shapes.

Higher capacities, new shapes, longer blade life, automation, flexibility, sanitary design, quick changeover, and gentler handling of fragile ingredients are among the top features and benefits that snack and bakery companies want from their slicing, cutting and portioning machinery.

The California Raisin Marketing Board has released a new white paper spotlighting the functional benefits and opportunities for California-grown raisins and raisin ingredients as a fat replacer in baked goods.

Through a strategic partnership distribution agreement with a leading supplier of erythritol, this addition expands Tate & Lyle's ability to help customers deliver on consumer demand for healthier sugar- and calorie-reduced products.

The addition expands Tate & Lyle’s ability to help customers solve stevia solubility issues in foods and helps deliver on consumer demand for healthier sugar- and calorie-reduced products.

The trend, termed ‘Regeneration Rising,’ involves new palettes and factors consumers want.

The report details momentum across the company's three strategic focus areas: products, people, and planet.

Our sister mag Refrigerated & Frozen Foods has released its annual ranking of the largest frozen food companies in the U.S.

Busy lifestyles and affordability aren’t the only reasons why consumers add frozen baked goods to their shopping cart each week.

Harris Interactive recently released the results of its 2012 Harris Poll EquiTrend study, which analyzed the responses of more than 38,500 consumers on key measures of brand health for more than 1,500 lifestyle, product and service brands. When questioned about the brands they are likely to reach for when craving a salty snack, respondents chose Lay’s Potato Chips—the top-ranked salty snack for the past eight years—followed by two other Frito-Lay North America brands, Doritos and Tostitos.

Pretzels have been around for more than a thousand years, originating in southern Europe around 610 A.D., according to historians. Today, crispy, hard pretzels are consumed by people in many of the countries represented at the 2012 Olympics.

When it comes to the Olympics, most people prefer some sports over others. The same holds true for consumers when it comes to snack foods.

Low in calories, high in fiber—popcorn may just be the perfect natural snack. Of course, that doesn’t stop manufacturers from trying to up the ante by enhancing all the whole grain has to offer. Now, popcorn can be found competing with chips, pretzels and even candy in the snacking Olympics.

Pork rinds are probably the most misunderstood item in the snack category. This is surprising, because people have been eating pork rinds—also called pork skins—as long as they have been eating pigs. One of the world’s first snack foods created thousands of years ago, and favored in the southern states, pork rinds are a simple combination of fried pork skins and salt.

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.

Most plumbers are missing a golden opportunity for add-ons with point-of-use or whole-house water purification systems and/or water softeners. Consumer awareness of the benefit of water purification has been raised by the pandemic and well-publicized municipal failures. Many, if not most consumers are highly sensitive to contamination today, whether air- or water-borne.

Ninety percent of seniors would rather remain in their own homes than move to assisted living, according to AginginPlace.org. Given the costs of assisted living, aging-in-place makes financial sense as well. Yet, many homes are not ready, which presents an opportunity for plumbing contractors.

If the country is not already in recession, it appears likely one will arrive in 2023. Here are six ways to turn the downturn into an opportunity.

As the population grows older, there is a heightened need for affordable plumbing and HVACR systems that offer safety and accessibility.

Drain cleaning and inspection services offer lucrative opportunities for plumbing contractors, especially with aging infrastructure. New technology makes these services easier than ever.

Wi-Fi technology has improved homes, including water heaters. The changing landscape of water heaters presents challenges for industry professionals. Nick Snell, director of plumbing sales at F.W. Webb Co., emphasizes the importance of working with a supplier that understands the evolving marketplace.

For business leaders in the plumbing contracting industry, it is crucial to understand that problems always hold solutions. Instead of shying away from them or seeking ways to avoid bumpy roads and obstacles, we should embrace challenges.

Processes are the third component of our success strategy — organizational charts, scorecards, and processes. Two months ago, I began a three-part series to focus on each of them. This month, we are going to bring that strategy full circle by discussing processes.

“Water quality has grown 300% across the U.S. since the pandemic began,” says Glen Blavet, founder and CEO of HALO Water Systems. “People are at home, and they’re looking to improve their quality of life and their health, so they’re looking at the water they’re drinking out of the tap.”

When you talk about water scarcity and the lack of clean drinking water, most people think about third-world countries. They don’t realize that there’s a growing threat to clean water right here at home in the United States. Look at the February train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, where a fire forced the controlled release and burn of toxic chemicals to avoid an explosion. The resulting contamination killed thousands of fish in nearby streams and ignited concerns over soil and water quality.

In the world of business, challenges are inevitable. Economic shifts, changing consumer demands and unforeseen crises are part and parcel of running a company.

Matt Millard, owner of Performance Mechanical in Edgartown, Massachusetts, loves to experiment with new technologies. Recently, Millard wanted to step up to hydronic radiant heating for his own home addition using an air-to-water heat pump.

The donation, presented at WHVACR's 21st Annual Conference in Dallas, Texas, includes $50,000 to be awarded in 2024 and an additional $50,000 in 2025. 

An electrician walked into the equipment room to diagnose and repair an electrical problem in the school. 

Many people look for ways to update their homes to provide a sense of comfort and connection to the outdoors. Outdoor projects are currently flourishing, as people extend their living spaces to feel closer to their natural surroundings.

How is the aging population changing product design? Builders and designers have been hearing from clients that homeowners now want to age-in-place, and they also want to renovate their existing homes to accommodate various generations living under one roof. The lack of housing stock and current mortgage and interest rates have contributed to this phenomenon. This shift in living has been a boon to the renovation industry, and it has given rise to innovations and building processes that elegantly combine technology and health benefits in the service of independence for elderly or anyone with physical challenges.

A thriving plumbing business relies on a collaborative team spanning various functions. Facing challenges like labor shortages and limited resources, many contractors struggle to expand into new markets. Adding a franchise can accelerate growth, minimize risk, and unlock fresh opportunities by leveraging established systems and resources.

Strategic move underscores Meyers’ commitment to expanding its footprint in the folding cartons sector.

Everything in business is important! Not everything in business is urgent — thank heavens!

The Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI) published a new technical report related to the break resistance of PEX pipe and tubing when fluid inside becomes frozen.

It’s without question that technology has improved the mechanical world around us. From my smartphone, I can instantly see the health of hundreds of our boiler plants across the country. 

It was one of those days at HeatingHelp.com when the old guys had the floor. One of the regulars, a retired (and understandably crotchety) fella from Canada had this to say:

Kids have a way of dragging us old folks back in time. My grandson, Brendan put me back on the road, 40 years ago, when I was spending most of my time teaching tradespeople about the joys of steam and hot-water heating.

The analysis of nearly 10 million drug tests reveals a surge in cheating, particularly related to marijuana.

Grant applications must be submitted by August 20, 2024, and grants will be awarded on or before Sept. 30, 2024.

The new Hygienically Clean Certification Portal launched on April 15 as part of the Hygienically Clean Certification Program Enhancement Initiatives. 

The shipping and trucking industry has had to work within unique OSHA standards for years. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, logistics companies will have to adapt to new, changing regulations. Not everything is a matter of law, and some guidelines may be unclear, so this isn't always a straightforward task

Blackline Safety Corp. has announced a 50% increase in its fire-hazmat personal and area gas monitor business in the last year alone.

The trade show and congress cover all aspects of a holistic prevention culture – from corporate health management and personal protection to workspace design and workplace safety management. 

The retailer has struggled for years to comply with OSHA safety regulations

These new services join a comprehensive suite of consulting services offered by J. J. Keller, a leader in safety and regulatory compliance for 70 years. 

PIP Global Safety, TrusTrace’s first customer specialized in the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Workwear and Safety Footwear space, is taking a proactive approach to regulatory compliance by gathering granular traceability data on the cotton used in its products. 

While Gruber is the first Haws CEO from outside the founding family, Haws continues to be owned by family members and upholds the same values since its beginnings in 1906. 

The report said peak shopping times resulted in the “highest weekly injury rates” for Amazon warehouse workers.

As OSHA continues to update its 2016 rule on recording and reporting workplace injuries and illnesses, organizations should be aware of new policies that affect how they treat – and reward – safety in the workplace.