A call for entries has been issued for the Fifteenth DuPont Awards for Innovation in Packaging. The DuPont Awards is an international industry competition to recognizing innovation in food processing and packaging technology and is sponsored by DuPont in cooperation with the Campden and Chorleywood Food Research Association of the UK as well as the National Food Processors Association. Deadline for entries is April 5, 2002. Entry forms can be found at www.dupont.com/packaging.

The Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute is issuing a call for presentations for the Conference at PACK EXPO. The three-day conference will be held November 4-6 during the PACK EXPO International 2002 show, scheduled for November 3-7, 2002 at Chicago's McCormick Place. Principal themes for the conference include productivity enhancements, cutting costs, security and new technologies. To submit a presentation please e-mail: bmiyares@packmgmt.com.

SureBeam Corp. and its majority stockholder The Titan Corp. of San Diego and Ion Beam Applications (IBA) of Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, have resolved the litigation between the two companies. IBA has dropped its challenge to the validity and enforceability of SureBeam's core system patent, and SureBeam and Titan have agreed that IBA and its customers may continue to operate or use IBA's electronic irradiation sterilization facility in Bridgeport, New Jersey. Both companies will provide electronic irradiation sterilization facilities and services. Except for pallet irradiation systems, IBA will in the U.S. purchase material handling systems from SureBeam/Titan for the next four years.

Screw Conveyor Corporation is returning to its long-established name after a brief corporate name change to SCC Industries in 1998.

Ralph Simmons, Nacogdoches, Texas, has been elected chairman of the board of U.S. Poultry & Egg Association for 2002. According to Simmons, "U.S. Poultry must play a vital role in addressing the needs of the industry through education, research, and communication." Simmons is a past president of the Texas Poultry Federation. (IMAGE: fex0302mnSimmons)

Nilfisk-Advance America, manufacturer of specialty industrial vacuum systems, promoted salesman Russ Seery to business development manager. A 13-year veteran of the company, Seery earned Nilfisk-Advance America's Salesman of the Year award in 1999 and 2000. (IMAGE: fex0302mnSeery)

The Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI) promoted Patti Fee to vice president, meetings and facilities management and Craig Silverio, CAE to vice president, finance.

Snapple Beverage Group has appointed Lewis Goldstein director of communications for Snapple, Yoo-hoo, Stewart's and Orangina.