The board of directors ofThe Coca-Cola CompanyelectedJoseph Tripodias executive vice president,Harry Andersonas senior vice president andKathy Walleras controller, and appointedConnie McDanielas chief of internal audit.

Pilgrim’s Pride Corporationwill idle its chicken processing plant in Athens, AL and one of its two plants in Athens, GA as part of its continuing effort to improve capacity utilization and reduce costs. Production from the Athens, AL plant will be consolidated into two other Pilgrim’s Pride complexes, bringing those facilities to full capacity.

Pamela G. Bailey, president and chief executive officer of theGrocery Manufacturers Association, andLeslie G. Sarasin, president and chief executive officer of theFood Marketing Institute, have been elected to the board of governors ofGS1 US, the supply-chain standards organization.

JBT Food Techacquired certain aspects of Scotland-basedDouble D Food Engineering Ltd, manufacturer of ovens for bakery and meat/protein products.

GEandFANUChave agreed to dissolve theGE Fanuc Automation Corporationjoint venture (originally established in 1986). This agreement will allow each company to refocus its investments on growing existing businesses and pursue its respective core industry expertise. GE and FANUC expect the transaction to be completed by the end of this year.

Senomyx, Inc.andFirmenich SAentered into a collaborative research, development, commercialization and license agreement for Senomyx’s flavor ingredients. During the collaborative period, Firmenich will have exclusive rights to commercialize selected Senomyx sweet enhancers worldwide.

Weber Distribution, a logistics and supply chain management provider, hiredJohn Lawsas director of transportation andDon Buysas transportation sales executive.

ARmark Authentication Technologies, LLCannounced a partnership withSmiths Detectionto launch IntelliMark, a complete system for verifying genuine brand and product authentication for consumer goods, secure documents, food and apparel.

Cargillagreed to sell its animal nutrition operations in Spain and Portugal to Nutreco. The sale will include 12 animal nutrition production facilities and offices.