Automation
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Editor's Note

Not all food plants strive for automation

While Kraft Heinz plant is automated, Home Chef focuses on adaptability

April 11, 2018

It’s April, and that means it’s time to announce FE’s Plant of the Year. This year, we are proud to name Kraft Heinz as the recipient for its deli meat facility, built by Gray Construction, located in Davenport, Iowa.

Plant of the Year

Inside the 2018 Food Plant of the Year: Kraft Heinz

Advanced automation simplifies deli meat production at winning Kraft Heinz food plant

Debra Schug

April 9, 2018

Food Engineering recognizes Kraft Heinz as its 2018 Food Plant of the Year. The first completed greenfield project for one of the largest food companies in the world results in a truly state-of-the art deli meat processing facility.

New automation solution for pizza production

Soft Robotics introduces robotic end-of-arm tooling gentle enough to make pizzas.

Debra Schug

March 16, 2018

Robotics have been steadily moving further up the packaging and processing line in food and beverage production. And the latest example of this trend is the automated pizza solution from Soft Robotics.

United Natural Foods Inc. distribution center

Building a Future Food Factory, Part 5: Labor

How to get the workers you need to run highly automated food and beverage plants

Debra Schug

February 21, 2018

How do you ensure you get people with the right skill sets when picking a location for your new food or beverage plant? The first thing to consider is identifying an area’s tech school base and that they focus on what you need done at your plant.

Food Safety Summit

Amazon V.P. to keynote Food Safety Summit

Carletta Ooton, Amazon V.P., to discuss the company's unique business model, using big data to transform food safety.

Crystal Lindell

February 21, 2018

Carletta Ooton will discuss the company's unique business model and how Amazon is transforming food safety through big data and technology.

Automation

China turns to robotics to solve labor shortage problems

With China's working-age population falling, labor costs are sky-rocketing, and robotics may be the solution

Wayne Labs

February 15, 2018

China has been a leader in mass production—with lots of manual labor— but coming shortages in China’s working-age population have experts concerned. In the past, labor was plentiful, and automation was not seen as a necessity.

Manufacturing News

Input requested for advanced manufacturing strategic plan

Government asks for help in developing National Strategic Plan for Advanced Manufacturing

Casey Laughman

February 8, 2018

The federal government is requesting input for the development of a National Strategic Plan for Advanced Manufacturing.

Automation Series

Processors use technology to improve employee engagement

New tools are available for processors wanting to connect their workers, but to succeed, companies must have a business plan, transparent communications and a mindset for continuous improvement.

Wayne Labs

February 7, 2018

Before you look at technology solutions to motivate and engage your employees, you need first to evaluate your company’s workplace environment.

Building a future food factory, Part 4: Automation

Food and beverage plants are increasingly employing more advanced automation, which can affect operations at a future facility.

Debra Schug

January 23, 2018

In the previous parts of this series, we considered the aspects of land, locale and logistics. This edition will discuss the top trend in the food and beverage processing industry—automation, and how this is affecting site selection decisions.

Web Exclusive

IIoT and the cloud

Know when, why and how to apply cloud architectures in your plant and enterprise, keeping in mind that on-site and edge-based servers keep you up and running on a stormy day.

Wayne Labs

January 8, 2018

The cloud provides storage space, communications, analytics and much more. But knowing the cloud's limitations in terms of reliability, security and performance—and what your expectations are—will play a major role in how you design and implement a cloud-based IIoT system.

On Demand Kelley Rodriguez, Editor in Chief of Refrigerated & Frozen Foods, will be joined in this 60-minute webinar by industry experts to help unpack the latest research.

On Demand Driven by climate goals, business risk, client interest, and resilience considerations, food and beverage companies are increasingly turning their attention to decarbonizing their production processes.