Manufacturing News

Field Reports

Conveying system helps quadruple output for chip maker

Production no longer has to be halted when diverting product—just one of the many examples of improved efficiency.

Wayne Labs, Senior Contributing Technical Editor

July 3, 2013

The most significant efficiencies have come from the installation of a new conveyor system by Walker Custom Sheet Metal.

11th Annual Replacement Parts Survey

Replacement Parts Survey: Advancing inventory practices

While cutting costs drives innovation in product sourcing and inventory management, processors are demanding higher-quality spare parts.

Mikell Knights

July 3, 2013

Food and beverage plants spent less on replacement parts and components in 2013 and are focused on lower inventories and competitive pricing as key business drivers, based on replies from industry professionals in Food Engineering’s 11th Annual Replacement Parts and Components Trends Survey.

TECH FLASH

Methods to curb energy rate increases

Many processors have already switched out inefficient lighting and invested in high-efficiency motors, and some have tried demand control while others have instituted real-time purchasing of energy.

Wayne Labs

June 26, 2013

FE interviewed Brian Flynn, chief technology officer of ZF Energy Development, to discuss the options processors have in cutting energy costs.

TECH FLASH

Are you playing by the new rules of customer engagement?

Thanks to a new model, food and beverage sales grew in 2012 while other consumer packaged goods categories were down.

Shane O'Halloran

June 26, 2013

Top companies are identifying and engaging with customers and focusing on innovation that directly reaches them.

TECH FLASH

Women see little role for federal government in guiding product choices or healthy decisions

New survey reveals women feel negatively about government attempts to encourage healthy eating.

Shane O'Halloran

June 26, 2013

Distrust of the media is even more prevalent than distrust of the government.

TECH FLASH

The Power of ‘Small’

Small and medium-sized manufacturers are flexing their muscles; industry takes notice at PACK EXPO.

Shane O'Halloran

June 12, 2013

Food Engineering discusses small and medium-sized manufacturers with Charles D. Yuska, president and CEO of PMMI.

TECH FLASH

Large firms best positioned to improve profit margins

As US consumers become more health conscious, large companies are able to offer new products at increased prices.

Shane O'Halloran

June 12, 2013

Smaller competitors often lack the consumer recognition that allows premium pricing.

Manufacturing News

Food Fraud: You purchased what?

Is your burger really 100 percent beef? Is your virgin olive oil really virgin? Only your analytical instrumentation knows for sure.

June 7, 2013

As a result of the recent UK horsemeat scandal, consumers and processors are very much aware they may not be getting what they paid for.

Food Automation & Manufacturing Conference report

FA&M Conference Report

Innovating risk assessment and world-class best practices

Mikell Knights

June 6, 2013

Food and beverage manufacturers will need revolutionary manufacturing methods to promote and sustain growth. A better understanding of core competencies and capabilities can take you further.

Editor's Note