Innovation

Fab Food Plants

How Prestage Foods of Iowa built a state-of-the-art pork processing plant

December 9, 2019

Producing more than 1.4 billion pounds of pork and turkey annually, the Prestage Farms family of companies employs more than 2,700 associates and is affiliated with more than 470 farm families across the U.S.

Innovation

White paper: The evolution of the drum motor

Drum motors have seen numerous design improvements over the decades

Alexander Kanaris

December 2, 2019

The drum motor belt drive design entered the conveyor industry in the early 50’s as a unique drive for belt conveyor applications.

Automation

ERP software helps keep bad product from consumers

Today’s cloud-based ERP software can track products in near real time

Wayne Labs

December 2, 2019

ERP software can provide data showing who has the product and what its status is in the supply chain.

Tech Update

Why be liable for workplace injuries if robots can do the job safely, efficiently?

Wayne Labs

November 22, 2019

Robots in picking, packing and palletizing applications have performed some new feats—thanks to clever system integrators who have given them sensitive touch, better grips and keen vision.

Sustainability

Reduce, reuse, recycle can help processors meet water usage goals

Sharon Spielman

November 18, 2019

Although potable fresh water may seem like an endless resource, it is becoming scarcer as the population continues to grow and as the climate continues to change.

Engineering R&D

RAIN uses vacuum cycles for extraction to occur at the deepest layers of coffee

Wayne Labs

November 18, 2019

The Reverse Atmospheric Infusion (RAIN) process also works with other media to create new and exciting organic and natural beverages or extracts to use in new products.

North Carolina Food Innovation Lab takes aim at food production of the future

Casey Laughman

November 13, 2019

Depending on who is asked, Kannapolis, N.C., is most well known for being the birthplace of either Parliament-Funkadelic’s George Clinton or NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Sr. The mind behind “Atomic Dog” and the Intimidator don’t have a whole lot in common, but one thing they do share is a legacy of turning their respective fields on their heads

Industry News

CAT Squared becomes IBM Food Trust onboarding partner

The MES is said to be the first food industry application for IBM’s global blockchain-enabled supply chain system

Wayne Labs

November 12, 2019

CAT Squared has become an onboarding partner for the IBM Food Trust, a blockchain-enabled global network of food chain participants that securely connects supply chain data across the ecosystem with trust and transparency.

Packaging

Kraft cheese, Walmart phone promo differs in store vs. at home

Rose Shilling

November 4, 2019

Walmart shoppers can tap their phones on a package of Kraft American Singles to trigger different content depending on whether they’re in the store or at home.

Green Series

Energy Efficiency Strategies for Food Processors

Wayne Labs

November 1, 2019

While food processors have to commit to using a certain amount of energy to meet production and food safety requirements, there are ways to be more efficient about how that energy is used.