Wayne Labs

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.

Sugar producers concerned with Farm Bill

American Sugar Alliance sent every Capitol Hill office a personalized replica of a 1940s sugar rationing coupon.

Wayne Labs

July 2, 2013

The group warned that wholesale changes to current policies would result in renewed dependence on foreign sugar producers.

1.5 trillion calories reduced in US foods

The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation announced it has exceeded its calorie reduction goal.

Wayne Labs

July 1, 2013

The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation announced it has exceeded its calorie reduction goal.

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.

Plant Construction

36th Annual Plant Construction Survey

The push for ROI

Wayne Labs

June 12, 2013

FSMA, energy reductions and efficiency are changing the way plants operate, and some older sites may need more than a facelift.

High lead or heavy metal levels in spices, such as cinnamon, typically come from three potential sources

Food Safety

Minimizing risk from raw materials

The ingredients you use reflect the quality of your product, so keep close tabs on your suppliers

Wayne Labs

June 8, 2013

Food manufacturers are launching new efforts to improve ingredient quality, make use of newer technologies and generally push greater innovation into their product offerings.

Sustainability

Energy management: crunching the numbers

Reducing energy usage is an ongoing practice, requiring education and continuing efforts by everyone in the organization.

Wayne Labs

May 13, 2013

There are many paths toward reducing energy and utility usage at plants—some are obvious, but some are not and require the help of consultants and suppliers.

Food Safety

Inline monitoring aids in food safety and quality

What you don’t measure could kill your brand.

Wayne Labs

May 13, 2013

While it may be said that food safety and food quality are not necessarily interrelated, get lax about either, and you probably won’t have a brand for long.

Tech Update: Meat & Poultry Processing

Employing energy savings as a competitive edge

Wayne Labs

May 13, 2013

Known for their heavy use of energy, the meat and poultry industries need to cut usage wherever they can.

Plant of the Year

Plant of the Year 2013: Chobani

Chobani's brand-new Twin Falls facility continues to evolve while keeping up with the American public's insatiable demand for Greek yogurt.

Wayne Labs

April 9, 2013

Chobani time might be defined as the time it takes a new company, which started in 2005, to rise to the top in US Greek yogurt sales in 2012, claiming 47.3 percent of the US market, according to AdAge, June 6, 2012.