With industry attention riveted on improved food safety, sanitary design of plants is front and center.

As I’m writing this month’s Editor’s Note, I’m working in my office after just reviewing the evaluation forms from the Food Automation & Manufacturing Conference and Expo (FA&M) held in early April.

Commodity prices and a credit crunch sidelined the first wave of biofuel plants, but process inefficiencies also played a role. The next generation of ethanol producers won’t make the same mistake.

As we have sadly learned, no one nation, person or business is immune from the wrath of Mother Nature.

More than half a century has passed since Bettcher’s electric trimmer debuted, but engineers continue the pursuit of design improvement.

Some additional upfront cost already is paying dividends to this manufacturing organization, with the biggest returns yet to come.

For food and beverage companies focused on water recycling and landfill reduction, the effort yields solid financial returns.

Certification programs under the GFSI umbrella are taking root in North America , though not without some growing pains and process changes for food manufacturers.

Smart sensors have been around for a long time, but when combined with wireless capabilities, the sky’s the limit.

Improved energy efficiency, fun shapes, healthier eating: myriad market demands are driving changes in commercial cooking and frying systems.