Industry News

U.S. WATER SERVICES
U.S. WATER SERVICES was acquired by KURITA WATER INDUSTRIES LTD., an international water management company headquartered in Tokyo.

KELLOGG COMPANY
KELLOGG COMPANY will sell Keebler Cookies and other selected fruit and fruit-flavored snacks, pie crusts and ice cream cones businesses to the FERRERO GROUP and its related companies, a global confectionary group. The transaction is expected to close by the end of July.

TIMKEN
The TIMKEN COMPANY has acquired DIAMOND CHAIN COMPANY from AMSTED INDUSTRIES. Diamond Chain is a supplier of high-performance roller chains for industrial markets including food and beverage and material handling. 

BETTCHER INDUSTRIES
BETTCHER INDUSTRIES INC. has acquired CANTRELL, a U.S.-based manufacturer of poultry processing equipment and systems. 

STIR FOODS
STIR FOODS—a manufacturer of soups, sauces, dressings and fresh salsas—acquired VAN LAW FOOD PRODUCTS, a contract and private label manufacturer of custom sauces, dressings and beverages. 

BIMBO BAKERIES
BIMBO BAKERIES has removed artificial preservatives, colors and flavors from its whole grain line of breads as part of its “No Added Nonsense” program. Also removed are monoglycerides, diacetyl tartaric acid esters of monoglycerides (DATEM) and high-fructose corn syrup.

DANONE
DANONE opened its new Nutricia Cuijk infant formula production facility in The Netherlands, which uses 60% less water and 25% less energy, and emits 50% less CO2 than its legacy facility that will be phased out of operation.

BÜHLER
BÜHLER introduced two blockchain-based technologies to increase food safety standards. Laatu is designed to reduce microbial contamination in dry goods, and Tubex Pro is a self-optimizing scale system. Both connect to Bühler Insights and Microsoft Azure.

People News

JLS AUTOMATION
JLS AUTOMATION promoted MIKE NEWCOME to vice president of sales. In his new role, Newcome will continue to manage a number of selected major accounts and develop targeted business opportunities with new markets and technologies.

WILBUR CURTIS COMPANY 
WILBUR CURTIS COMPANY named BRYAN MORFORD as the company’s new chief executive officer.

L.S. STARRETT COMPANY
L.S. STARRETT COMPANY appointed JON-MICHAEL RAYMOND as director of sales, North America, industrial products. He will be responsible for sales of precision measuring tools and gages, hand tools and saw blades. 

GLOBAL FOOD PROPERTIES
GLOBAL FOOD PROPERTIES announced engagement with SELECT REAL ESTATE ADVISORS and its founder, FRANK SCHADE. Formerly vice president, global workplace, Kellogg Company, Schade managed 350 food-related facilities, totaling 36 million square feet and $325 million in aggregate rent. 

HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION
HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION announced that JOSE LUIS PRADO, chairman and CEO of Evans Food Group, has been elected to the Hormel Foods Board of Directors.