The Leading Source for Food Manufacturing News
Manufacturing Expands; Jobs Still Lag
February 2, 2010 5:05 am | News | CommentsNEW YORK (Reuters) — U.S. manufacturing expanded in January at its fastest pace since 2004 but consumers increased their spending only slightly in December, worried by job prospects and the state of the economy. Although the manufacturing sector has been expanding since August, the data released on Monday showed that the economic recovery is likely to be modest, especially with the jobless rate at 10 percent, an almost 26-year high.
China Launches Crackdown On Tainted Milk
February 2, 2010 5:05 am | News | CommentsBEIJING (Canadian Press) — China has launched a 10-day emergency crackdown on tainted milk products after several were found creeping back onto the market despite a massive scandal that sickened hundreds of thousands of children in 2008. No one knows how many tainted milk products are still on the market, a member of the country's food safety committee, Chen Junshi, was quoted as saying by the China Daily newspaper Tuesday.
Cadbury To Vote On Kraft Deal Today
February 2, 2010 5:03 am | News | CommentsPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Kraft Foods Inc. faces a deadline Tuesday to get the majority of Cadbury PLC shareholders to approve its $19.5 billion offer to acquire the British candy maker. Shareholders are expected to approve the deal. Kraft announced its intent to acquire the company in September, and the deal quickly turned hostile.
2010 Canadian "Salt Lick Award" Goes To...
February 2, 2010 5:03 am | News | CommentsOttawa ON (Canadian Stroke Network) — Two of Canada's Networks of Centres of Excellence — the Canadian Stroke Network and the Advanced Foods & Materials Network — today awarded the third annual national "Salt Lick Award" to Gerber Graduates Lil' Entrees. This choice was made because the "Chicken & Pasta Wheel Pickups" dinner serves up the sodium equivalent to two orders of medium McDonald's Fries.
IN Gov Abandons Meat Inspection Budget Cuts
February 2, 2010 5:02 am | News | CommentsINDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The administration of Gov. Mitch Daniels backed away Monday from a plan to carve out about half of the budget for state inspections of meat processors after complaints that it would drive some plants out of business and hurt small livestock farms. The budget of the Meat and Poultry Inspection Program will be cut by less than 50 percent and some state inspectors will lose their jobs, Doug Metcalf, chief of staff for the Indiana State Board of Animal Health, told The Associated Press on Monday.
Salmonella Victims To Split About $12M
February 2, 2010 5:01 am | News | CommentsATLANTA (AP) — Dozens of victims of last year's nationwide salmonella outbreak will split about $12 million as part of a settlement with the insurer of the company linked to the illnesses. Atlanta attorney Alan Maxwell said Monday the money comes from an insurance policy that Lynchburg, Va.
Mobile Workstation Cart
February 2, 2010 5:00 am | Product Releases | CommentsIdeal for warehouses, distribution centers, factories, laboratories, retail stores, and many other facilities, NB Series Mobile Powered Workstations save labor and improve productivity. These patented, ergonomic carts can carry computers (desktops, towers, or laptops), printers, scales, barcode scanners, and most other small electronic equipment to wherever they are needed.
Robotic Tray System
February 2, 2010 4:58 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe Robotic Tray System (RTS) utilizes Robotic technology to provide a buffering and accumulation system within the can end manufacturing processes. Key benefits of the Robotic Tray System are: Small footprint Modular system easily configurable to suit different layouts Capable of running trays from existing balancer systems Optional servo belt drives eliminate air usage by replacing pneumatic cylinders which reduces annual energy consumption With the use of robotics there are less spare parts to keep on hand resulting in enhanced equipment availability The RTS consists of four separate systems, all functioning together as one unit.
Celebrating Spring Chickens
February 1, 2010 6:46 am | by Karen Langhauser, Editor-in-chief | Articles | CommentsWe’ve just returned from the 2010 International Poultry Expo, know affectionately—though somewhat inaccurately—around FM headquarters as “the chicken show.” Attendance at this year’s expo jumped considerably from last January, suggesting that, perhaps, after some belt-tightening, food manufacturers may be in the beginning stages of reevaluating their budgets and preparing to buy new equipment again.
Beer Production Bubbling For Olympics
February 1, 2010 5:07 am | News | CommentsVANCOUVER — How well Kerry Scarsbrook has prepared for the 2010 Olympics won't be discussed on the sports pages, but it could affect the Games all the same. He's the man in charge of making the official beer. "All I can think about all the time now is the Games," said Scarsbrook, Vancouver brewmaster for Molson Coors, the official 2010 supplier of beer.
Animal Treatment Laws Up For Review
February 1, 2010 5:07 am | News | CommentsSIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota's laws governing the treatment of livestock and work animals will come under review this year, and changes could be made during the 2011 legislative session. The state's laws are written broadly. They prohibit inflicting unnecessary and unjustifiable pain and suffering on animals, but they hold the standard of care to be generally accepted practices in agriculture.
Man Dies After Fall At Meat-Processing Plant
February 1, 2010 5:06 am | News | CommentsNEBRASKA CITY, Neb. (AP) — A worker at a meat-processing plant in southeastern Nebraska has died following a fall. The Otoe County Attorney's Office identified the Excel Specialty Products employee as 49-year-old Timothy Wilson of Nebraska City. Police and rescue crews were called to the Nebraska City plant about 4 a.
Iowa Official Urges State Not To Buy Meatpacking Plant
February 1, 2010 5:05 am | News | CommentsJOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey said Friday he's willing to talk to other government officials about a soon-to-be-shuttered Sioux City meatpacking plant but private industry will have the final say on its future. The John Morrell and Co. plant announced last week it would close this spring, eliminating more than 1,400 jobs.
Pilgrim's Pride Pays More Than $1M In Back Wages
February 1, 2010 5:05 am | News | CommentsDALLAS (AP) — The U.S. Labor Department has announced that it's recovering more than $1 million in overtime back wages from poultry processor Pilgrim's Pride Corp. In a statement issued Friday, the department said the back wages are owed to 798 former and current workers at the Pittsburg, Texas-based company's Dallas processing plant.
Seasonal Kettle Corn Goes Year-Round
February 1, 2010 5:04 am | News | CommentsGRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — Dorothy & Toto's Gourmet Kettle Corn, an addicting treat once found only at local farmer's markets, is now available year-round. Kyle Behm, 24, has taken his snowbird grandparents' seasonal business into a storefront in the building that also houses Weatherhead & Sons.
Increasing Heat Exchanger Performance
February 1, 2010 4:36 am | by Nwaoha Chikezie | Articles | CommentsHeat exchangers are typically employed in the process industries as a means of providing heat transfer between two streams of fluid across a medium. The heat exchanger ensures the conservation of heat energy otherwise known as heat economic operations. They are designed to foster contact between materials in a conduit network, with one material exchanging heat and the other material flowing within the network either counter-currently or co-currently.
Double-Acting Energy Doors
February 1, 2010 4:29 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe HR6 Energy Door boasts an R rating of 25+ to comply with the Energy Independence Act. These doors are suitable for heavy cart to light motorized traffic, and are available in single or double panel configurations. The door includes self-closing hardware, a vapor barrier, a dual gasket and a triple-pane, gas filled window.
Ethernet-Based Drive
February 1, 2010 4:28 am | Product Releases | CommentsThis ethernet-based drive delivers best flexibility, scalability and power range to meet the unique performance requirements of nearly any application; from basic torque and velocity applications, to indexing, to multi-axis programmable motion via the company’s powerful new complete machine automation solution.
Water-Resistant Dispenser
February 1, 2010 4:26 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe new enMotion Water-Resistant Dispenser offers tailored benefits for food processors that utilize high-pressure wash down cleaning procedures. The unit is engineered to remain mounted on the wall while pressurized water spray is used to sanitize walls, ceilings, floors and processing equipment. Rubber seals and a closeable hatch on the dispenser help protect the enMotion towels from moisture and contamination during routine cleaning procedures.
