Plant Operations
Temperature & Humidity Data Logger
February 15, 2013 1:00 am | by Food Manufacturing Staff | Product Releases | CommentsThe HOBO UX100 Series family of data loggers tracks temperature and relative humidity in indoor environments.
Q&A: Automation Trends for Food Manufacturers
February 14, 2013 4:47 pm | by Lindsey Jahn, Associate Editor | Articles | CommentsIncorporating automated equipment into food manufacturing processes can offer a wealth of benefits. Matt Wicks of Intelligrated spoke with Food Manufacturing about how food processors can best harness automated technologies in their facilities.
Corona-Bud Revise Deal to Appease Regulators
February 14, 2013 12:38 pm | News | CommentsAnheuser-Bush InBev changed the terms of its proposed $20.1 billion acquisition of Mexican brewer Grupo Modelo Thursday in an attempt to push through a deal that federal regulators say will kill competition. AB InBev is willing to sell Modelo's Piedras Negras brewery and give perpetual rights for Corona and the Modelo brands in the U.S. to Constellation for $2.9 billion, the company said Thursday.
Nestle Posts $11.55B Profit in 2012
February 14, 2013 12:34 pm | by JOHN HEILPRIN,Associated Press | News | CommentsNestle SA, the world's biggest food and drinks maker, predicted another challenging year ahead but overcame tough global economic conditions to post a full-year net profit Thursday of 10.6 billion Swiss francs ($11.55 billion) for 2012. With 330,000 employees worldwide and 461 factories in 83 countries, Nestle is a major buyer of food commodities such as wheat, sugar, milk and coffee.
Buffet Part of Group to Buy Heinz in $23B Deal
February 14, 2013 9:37 am | News | CommentsH.J. Heinz Co. has agreed to be acquired by an investment group including billionaire investor Warren Buffett in a deal valued at $23.3 billion. The ketchup company says it's the largest deal ever in the food industry. Heinz shareholders will receive $72.50 in cash for each share of common stock they own. The transaction value includes the assumption of Heinz's debt.
Dean Foods Shares Fall on Weak Guidance
February 13, 2013 12:45 pm | News | CommentsMilk producer Dean Foods on Wednesday posted a fourth-quarter profit of $37 million, reversing a loss from the year before. But its profit outlook fell short of Wall Street expectations, and shares slumped. Dean has had to deal with higher dairy costs stemming from last summer's drought in much of the U.S. that drove up feed prices for cows.
Kraft Considers Expanding Illinois Plant
February 13, 2013 9:46 am | News | CommentsKraft Foods is weighing whether to spend $40 million to expand a southwestern Illinois plant if the city and state provide about $400,000 to widen a road in front of the site. The Suburban Journals of Greater St. Louis reports that the move would add 30 jobs to the 660,000-square-foot plant and warehouse. The facilities now have more than 400 workers. The plant produces Capri Sun and Kool-Aid beverages.
Snyder’s-Lance 4Q Adjusted Profit Tops Expectations
February 13, 2013 9:44 am | News | CommentsPretzel maker Snyder's-Lance Inc. said Tuesday that its fiscal fourth-quarter net income dropped 65 percent, hurt in part by increased impairment charges. Its adjusted results beat Wall Street's view. The company earned $7.8 million, or 11 cents per share, for the period ended Dec. 29. That's down from $22.4 million, or 33 cents per share, a year earlier.
Tomato Exec Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison
February 13, 2013 9:38 am | by TRACIE CONE,Associated Press | News | CommentsFrederick Scott Salyer has been described as one of the most influential men in California's agriculture industry, but on Tuesday he learned that he'll soon become just another inmate in the federal prison system. Salyer, who built a small canning company into one of the biggest tomato processors in California, was sentenced to six years in prison for engaging in a price-fixing scam.
The Global State Of Information Security
February 13, 2013 9:35 am | by PwC | Articles | CommentsInformation security has always been a high-stakes game. One that demands a smart strategy, the right technology moves, and an unblinking eye on adversaries. For many businesses, however, it has become a pursuit that is almost impossible to win.
Annie’s 3Q Profit Tops Expectations Despite Recall
February 12, 2013 12:36 pm | News | CommentsAnnie's, which makes natural and organic packaged food, posted an adjusted profit in its most recent quarter that edged past Wall Street expectations despite costs and lost sales from a pizza recall. The company's fiscal third-quarter net income came to $1.4 million, or 8 cents per share.
Coca-Cola’s Profit Rises on Growth Overseas
February 12, 2013 12:33 pm | by CANDICE CHOI,AP Food Industry Writer | News | CommentsCoca-Cola says its profit rose 13 percent in the fourth quarter as growth in emerging markets offset a decline in Europe and a modest performance in the U.S. The Atlanta-based company said global sales volume rose 3 percent, driven by gains in countries such as Russia and Turkey. Volume in Europe fell by 5 percent.
Tomato Exec Bribed Food Giants
February 12, 2013 9:35 am | by TRACIE CONE,Associated Press | News | CommentsOn Tuesday, former SK Foods owner Frederick Scott Salyer, 57, will leave house arrest in Pebble Beach and be sentenced in U.S. District Court in Sacramento after pleading guilty last year to charges he bribed purchasing managers at food giants including Kraft Foods Inc. and Frito-Lay.
PTFE Hose
February 12, 2013 1:00 am | by Food Manufacturing Staff | Product Releases | CommentsCompany offers Stainless Steel Braided Convoluted Hose Assemblies containing a virgin PTFE convoluted tube in natural or conductive (static dissipative).
Mountain Dew Introduces Breakfast Drink
February 11, 2013 12:29 pm | by CANDICE CHOI,AP Food Industry Writer | News | CommentsIf you don't like coffee or tea, Mountain Dew has a new breakfast drink that might perk you up. PepsiCo Inc. is rolling out a new drink called Kickstart this month that has Mountain Dew flavor but is made with 5 percent juice and Vitamins B and C, along with an extra jolt of caffeine.
Lay’s Taste-Tests Fan-Nominated Flavors
February 11, 2013 9:51 am | by JOSEPH PISANI,AP Business Writer | News | CommentsThe next Lay's potato chip will taste like chicken and waffles. Or cheesy garlic bread. Or Sriracha, a hot sauce often used in Thai dishes. Lay's is letting potato chip lovers decide which one of the three will be its newest flavor. All of them will be sold at retailers nationwide starting next week. After trying them, fans have until May to vote for their favorites. The flavor with the most votes will stay on store shelves.
Constellation and Crown File Motion in InBev Case
February 11, 2013 9:41 am | News | CommentsConstellation Brands Inc. and Crown Imports filed a motion Friday to ensure that their interests are represented in the government's case against beer maker Anheuser-Busch InBev's proposed acquisition of Grupo Modelo. The Justice Department says the AB InBev and Modelo deal would reduce competition by bringing two of the most popular beer brands — Budweiser and Corona — under one owner.
Green Mountain Shares Tumble on Weak Outlook
February 8, 2013 9:50 am | News | CommentsShares of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters slid 4 percent Thursday after the company issued a weaker-than-expected revenue forecast for the current quarter. While Green Mountain's fiscal first-quarter results beat Wall Street predictions, it said that it expects a slowdown in the overall coffee industry.
Coca-Cola Enterprises Profit Falls 12 Percent
February 8, 2013 9:36 am | News | CommentsCoca-Cola Enterprises, which bottles and distributes Coca-Cola drinks in Europe, said Thursday that its profit fell 12 percent in the fourth quarter as it dealt with rising costs and sold fewer beverages. The company, which is separate from Coca-Cola Co., said sales volume for the period fell by 5.5 percent amid "ongoing challenging conditions."
Time/Temperature Monitoring System
February 8, 2013 1:00 am | by Food Manufacturing Staff | Product Releases | CommentsThe TempTRIP time/temperature monitoring system allows users to connect temperature data to a shipment reference for valuable data reporting and analysis.
Registration Open for PROCESS EXPO and Dairy Show
February 7, 2013 12:29 pm | News | CommentsThe Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA) and the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) announced that registration is now open for the co-located PROCESS EXPO and the International Dairy Show, taking place November 3-6, 2013 in Chicago's McCormick Place.
U.S. Worker Productivity Shrinks
February 7, 2013 12:26 pm | by MARTIN CRUTSINGER,AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsU.S. worker productivity shrank in the final three months of 2012 although the decline was caused by temporary factors. Productivity contracted at an annual rate of 2 percent in the October-December quarter, the biggest drop since the first quarter of 2011, the Labor Department reported Thursday. Productivity had risen at a 3.2 percent rate in the July-September quarter.
Cutting the Mustard
February 7, 2013 11:00 am | by Krystal Gabert, Editor | Articles | CommentsBeaverton Foods, Inc. is currently the largest processor of specialty mustards in the country and operates out of a 70,000-square-foot food processing facility in Hillsboro, Ore., shipping about 30 million units per year. But its beginnings were much more humble.
Green Mountain Sells More Coffee in 1Q
February 7, 2013 9:28 am | News | CommentsGreen Mountain Coffee's net income rose 3 percent in its most recent quarter as it sold more single-serve coffee packs and brewers. But its forecast for revenues in the current quarter was below what analysts had been expecting and the company's stock was down almost 7 percent in extended trading.
Temporary Power Distribution System
February 7, 2013 1:00 am | by Food Manufacturing Staff | Product Releases | CommentsThe MGL25-8C-480-120V-GFI Temporary Power Distribution System converts three phase 480V current to usable single phase 240V AC and 120V AC for applications where operators must tap into high voltages independently of the local power grid.
