Wayne Labs

Wayne Labs has more than 30 years of editorial experience in industrial automation. He served as senior technical editor for I&CS/Control Solutions magazine for 18 years where he covered software, control system hardware and sensors/transmitters. Labs ran his own consulting business and contributed feature articles to Electronic Design, Control, Control Design, Industrial Networking and Food Engineering magazines. Before joining Food Engineering, he served as a senior technical editor for Omega Engineering Inc. Labs also worked in wireless systems and served as a field engineer for GE’s Mobile Communications Division and as a systems engineer for Bucks County Emergency Services. In addition to writing technical feature articles, Wayne covers FE’s Engineering R&D section.

Senior Contributing Technical Editor

GS1 appoints Smucker Company’s Julia M. Landry to its U.S. Board of Governors

People News

GS1 US appoints Smucker Company’s Julia M. Landry to its U.S. Board of Governors

Landry will help guide GS1’s U.S. strategy to support members’ digital transformation initiatives and standards adoption

Wayne Labs

November 18, 2021

Smucker's Julia M. Landry joins the GS1 US Board

Smithfield hog production is seeing greater efficiency with modern technologies in its feed mills.

Control Systems

Modern SCADA system improves feed mill operations at Smithfield operations in Utah

The mill produces 12,000 tons of animal feed per week, feeding 1.7 million pigs a year

Wayne Labs

November 17, 2021

A new control system for a formerly manually operated plant makes a huge difference in output, efficiency and product quality

Connecting warehouse data with production and business systems

Making the connection provides up-to-the-minute data on scheduling, stock-outs, ingredient substitutions, customer trends and recalls

Wayne Labs

November 8, 2021

Often one role of a shop floor or MES is to act as a relay or connection point between the ERP and WMS. In case of a non-automated shop floor where there is no MES, there is a good chance that the ERP system connects with an independent WMS or has some built-in WMS functionality.

Microsoft Active Directory Networks can be compromised if not configured carefully

Network Intrusion Issues

Does Microsoft Active Directory Services open the door to BlackMatter and other ransomware?

Convenient as they are, Microsoft Active Directory Domain Services can let hackers get a foothold into systems if not managed properly

Wayne Labs

November 7, 2021

Microsoft Active Network Directory Services makes it easy for system admins to make changes to fluid networks--but if not managed properly, leaves an open door for malicious actors.

SoftAI is a bundled hardware and software solution

Soft-touch robotics system becomes human-like with new AI software

Gentle grippers can pick up food items on a belt, but to do it well, there must be a fast-thinking “brain” behind their moves

Wayne Labs

November 5, 2021

Robotics systems lately have developed a soft touch to pick up delicate foods without damaging them, and there have been a lot of developments in the grippers themselves to handle these fragile products. However, these grippers can’t do it alone.

New cyber insurance agencies can help shield you from financial ruin caused by hack attacks, but they can also be an important member of a processor’s cybersecurity team

Cybersecurity Protection

Cyber insurance: What it can do and what it can’t

New cyber insurance agencies can help shield you from financial ruin, but they can also be an important member of a processor’s cybersecurity team

Wayne Labs

October 30, 2021

Recently, a relatively new source of cybersecurity help comes from cyber insurance providers. Cyber insurance can help save a company from financial ruin, besides helping with a defense plan

BlackMatter is a new ransomware that is sold to would-be hackers to infect critical systems

Ransomware Attacks

BlackMatter ransomware targets food/agriculture sector

While Black Matter, a new ransomware group, promised not to target critical infrastructure, those purchasing the RaaS don’t necessarily follow that rule

Wayne Labs

October 19, 2021

This new ransomware as a service provides tools for criminals to attack companies with big pockets, including food and beverage.

Connecting process control, CIP, HVAC and energy management

In many facilities, these systems are manual and standalone, with no coordination—other than human

Wayne Labs

October 14, 2021

In many facilities, these systems are manual and standalone, with no coordination—other than human

Apatin brewery has a large portfolio that includes the brands Jelen, Jelen Chill, Jelen Cool, Apatinsko, Staropramen, Bavaria, Nikšićko and Nikšićko Tamno.

Brewery upgrades

Bringing Apatin Brewery up to date and speed

When a brewery can no longer satisfy demand for thirsty customers, it’s time to make some big changes—and long-standing partnerships ease the upgrading task

Wayne Labs

October 12, 2021

With the brewery's new can filler, the system fills 25,000 0.5 liter cans per hour.

Mergers and acquisitions

Regal completes merger with Rexnord PMC

The new company, Regal Rexnord Corporation, brings an expanded range of automation solutions to improve manufacturing efficiency and productivity

Wayne Labs

October 5, 2021

Regal Beloit Corporation, a global supplier of electric motors and controls, power generation products and power transmission components, has completed the merger with Rexnord Process and Motion Control (PMC) to become Regal Rexnord Corporation.

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.

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.