Plant Operations
The Lead
Ten Commandments of Industrial Ethernet
May 16, 2013 11:45 am | by Mike Fahrion, Director of Product Management, B&B Electronics | Articles | Comments
From network security to documentation to IP address protocol and siloing of information, this list of 10 "commandments" will keep your network strong, secure and functional and should be front-of-mind for information technology professionals and plant managers alike.
SD Beef Plant Courts Laid-Off Workers
May 16, 2013 9:40 am | News | Comments
A beef processing plant in the South Dakota city of Yankton is recruiting dozens of workers laid...
ND Pasta Plant To Restart Production
May 15, 2013 12:39 pm | News | Comments
The former Noodles by Leonardo plant in Cando will start producing pasta again next week after...
Pinnacle Foods’ 1Q Net Jumps on Lower Costs
May 15, 2013 12:35 pm | News | Comments
Pinnacle Foods Inc., which went public in March, said Wednesday that its first-quarter net...
Risk-Management Mechanisms Associated with Gluten Intolerance
May 20, 2013 10:34 am | by Jonathan M. Cohen & Jenna A. Hudson, Gilbert LLP | Articles | CommentsA gluten-free product tainted with gluten may make it to consumers despite a company’s best efforts if pre-sale testing fails. If this happens, consumers may allege that a food company is liable for bodily injury or other harms from gluten, leading to potential economic liability and, perhaps, a recall.
Cold Storage Company Cuts Energy Use by $100K
May 20, 2013 9:37 am | by Michael Schratz, Global Marketing Director, Dialight Corporation | Articles | CommentsAiming to reduce energy consumption and eliminate ongoing, costly lighting maintenance, Zero Mountain Cold Storage Warehouse, a leader in cold-storage service, recently upgraded two of its facilities to next-generation LED lighting by Dialight Corporation.
Maker of 'Pink Slime' Continues to Struggle
May 20, 2013 8:02 am | News | CommentsThe beef-processing company that makes the product that critics call "pink slime" continues to struggle more than a year after the initial stories on the lean bits of beef that Beef Products Inc. (BPI) makes. The company lost 80 percent of its business after the uproar over what BPI calls lean finely textured beef.
Photo of the Day: 100 Years of Hellmann's
May 20, 2013 8:00 am | News | CommentsHellman's turns 100 in 2013 and to celebrate the anniversary, owner Unilever Food is launching a marketing campaign including a Facebook page and YouTube videos featuring chef Mario Batali cooking up his favorite Hellman's recipes, a smartphone app and a June event featuring the world's largest picnic table.
Tougher Food-Safety Rules Ahead for Canadian Meat Processors
May 17, 2013 12:15 pm | by The Canadian Press | News | CommentsCanadian Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz says the country's food watchdog is planning to impose tougher rules to deal with the threat of E. coli in slaughterhouses. The agency will soon begin a two-year review of the country's food regulations to ensure they are in line with the Safe Food for Canadians Act passed last year.
Puerto Rico Sees Lowest Coffee Production Ever
May 17, 2013 12:05 pm | by DANICA COTO, Associated Press | News | CommentsCoffee production in Puerto Rico has hit the lowest level ever in the island's history, leaving farmers and government officials worried about how to revive a once burgeoning industry amid a deep economic crisis. The U.S. territory has been forced to import coffee from countries including Mexico and the Dominican Republic to meet local demand.
Attracting Talent: A Lesson in Battling Perception
May 17, 2013 11:08 am | by Maria Ferrante, Vice President, Education & Workforce Development, PMMI | Articles | CommentsFood manufacturers and other processors face many challenges when seeking to place young professionals in engaging, stable positions that require strong mechatronics skills and problem-solving capabilities as well as backgrounds in math and science.
ND Pasta Plant to Restart Production
May 17, 2013 9:59 am | News | Commentsformer Noodles by Leonardo plant in Cando will start producing pasta again next week after six months of closed doors. The facility is now owned by Cando Pasta LLC, a partnership of local businessmen Jim and Bruce Gibbens and two other investors. The plant should have as many as 20 employees later this month and as many as 40 by next year.
Cheaper Equipment Isn’t Always Less Expensive
May 17, 2013 9:11 am | by Carol Thorsen, Wynright Corporation | Articles | CommentsThe difference between shopping at a general site and one that specializes in warehouse and industrial equipment and supplies is that with the latter you can explain what you need, ask questions and ensure that when the products are delivered they’ll actually work in your application.
Kosher & Halal Industries Under Siege in Poland
May 16, 2013 12:15 pm | News | CommentsAfter Polish animal rights activists succeeded in banning "barbaric" religious slaughter methods used in kosher and halal production — the process involves slashing the throats of conscious animals and letting them bleed out — religious and industry supporters are coming together to fight the changes.
Flowers Foods 1Q Net Income More Than Doubles
May 16, 2013 12:05 pm | News | CommentsFlowers Foods' first-quarter net income more than doubled thanks to a large gain related to its acquisition of the Sara Lee business in California. The baked goods company, which is best known for its Tastykake products and is pursuing some of Hostess' major bread brands, earned $113.3 million, or 81 cents per share, for the period ended April 20. That's up sharply from $37.9 million, or 28 cents per share, a year ago.
AB InBev Abandons Plan To Buy Budvar
May 16, 2013 12:02 pm | News | CommentsBrewing giant Anheuser-Busch InBev says it no longer has plans to acquire Czech brewer Budejovicky Budvar, with whom it has been fighting a long legal battle over the use of the "Budweiser" brand. Frank Hellwig, legal director for AB InBev, says "we don't have any plans, or intention, or desire to buy Budvar" as a way of solving the dispute.
Daily Sound Bite: Hellmann's Celebrates a Century
May 15, 2013 12:43 pm | News | CommentsTo celebrate Hellmann's centennial birthday, owner Unilever is launching a marketing campaign to drum up attention for the country's top-selling mayonnaise, whose formula remains almost the same as it was a century ago. Media spending is undisclosed, but it's the largest ever campaign for the brand.
The Hidden Cost of Summer Heat
May 15, 2013 11:37 am | by Megan Browning, Big Ass Fans | Articles | CommentsUncomfortable working conditions lead to heat-related illnesses and decreased productivity, which negatively affect the bottom line of the business. When working conditions become distracting and debilitating to workers, personal comfort must be addressed to regain lost productivity.
Hellmann’s Mayo Turns 100
May 15, 2013 9:34 am | by MAE ANDERSON,Associated Press | News | CommentsA lot changes in 100 years, but the key to Hellmann's success may be that not much has changed for the mayonnaise. To celebrate Hellman's centennial birthday, owner Unilever is launching a marketing campaign to drum up attention for the country's top-selling mayonnaise, whose formula remains almost the same as it was a century ago. Media spending is undisclosed, but it's the largest ever campaign for the brand.
Five Reasons to Adopt a PLM System
May 15, 2013 9:17 am | by Chuck Cimalore, CTO and Co-founder, Omnify Software | Articles | CommentsThe availability of PLM systems specifically designed for the small to mid-size market has helped to alleviate concerns and opened a door for Small to Mid-size Manufacturing Businesses (SMBs) to be able to take advantage of PLM, and realize the same benefits as their larger counterparts.
Danone Acquires U.S. Baby Food Maker
May 14, 2013 9:46 am | News | CommentsFrench yogurt maker Danone says it has agreed to take a more than 90-percent stake in organic baby food maker Happy Family. Although Danone is known for its yogurt, baby food is one of its fastest-growing divisions. Revenue there rose more than 15 percent last year. But with Europe's economic crisis hitting sales hard in markets close to home, the Paris-based company has been looking for opportunities to expand abroad.
Venezuela Food Maker Denies Blame for Shortages
May 14, 2013 9:38 am | by FABIOLA SANCHEZ and KARL RITTER,Associated Press | News | CommentsVenezuela's biggest food company on Monday hit back at President Nicolas Maduro's claims that it's to blame for the country's persistent food shortages. The chief executive of Empresas Polar, Lorenzo Mendoza, rejected accusations by the president that the company has reduced production and is hoarding products to create scarcity.
Don’t Give in to Bird Activity at Your Facility
May 14, 2013 9:18 am | by Patrick T. Copps, MS, B.C.E., Technical Services Manager, Orkin, LLC | Articles | CommentsBirdwatching is an activity that fascinates people; it gives avid fans a chance to relax outdoors while watching birds react with each other in their natural habitats. But around your facility, there should be little to no bird activity, as birds can wreak havoc on your property and products.
Falling Prices Hurt Post 2Q
May 13, 2013 12:29 pm | News | CommentsCereal maker Post Holdings' fiscal second-quarter net income fell 59 percent as it paid more in interest and its prices dropped. Its quarterly performance missed analysts' expectations. Shares dropped in Monday morning trading. For the period ended March 31, Post — whose cereal brands include Honey Bunches of Oats and Grape-Nuts — earned $4.3 million, or 13 cents per share.
Michigan's Food Processing Landscape
May 13, 2013 9:12 am | by GreenStone FCS | Videos | CommentsDave Armstrong, President and CEO of GreenStone FCS, a credit services and financing company, discusses the food processing landscape and outlook for Michigan, the nation's 19th largest food processing economy and an employer of an estimated 130,000 workers.
TreeHouse Foods 1Q Profit Up
May 10, 2013 12:33 pm | News | CommentsTreeHouse Foods Inc. reported a 4 percent increase in its first-quarter net income as the food maker's revenue improved on recent acquisitions. The Oak Brook, Ill., company, which makes a number of products including non-dairy powdered creamers, private-label canned soups and salad dressings, also backed its full-year forecast.
WhiteWave 1Q Profit Falls
May 10, 2013 12:29 pm | News | CommentsWhiteWave Foods Co., which makes Horizon organic milk and Silk brand food and beverages, reported Thursday that its first-quarter net income fell 23 percent, weighed down by higher operating costs and expenses. Its adjusted earnings topped Wall Street's view, but revenue missed analysts' estimates.
Dean Foods 1Q Profit Soars on Morningstar Sale
May 10, 2013 9:36 am | News | CommentsDean Foods' net income skyrocketed in the first quarter on the sale of its massive Morningstar division. The Dallas food and beverage company surprised Wall Street even when the sale of Morningstar is excluded and shares rose in early trading.
Green Mountain 2Q Income Rises 42 Percent
May 10, 2013 9:33 am | News | CommentsGreen Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. shares soared in after-hours trading Wednesday after the company said net income rose 42 percent in its fiscal second quarter, and it raised its earnings forecast for the full year. Green Mountain said sales of single-serve coffee packs climbed 26 percent compared to a year ago. That balanced a decrease in sales of Keurig brewing systems.
