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Articles by John S. Forrester
Equipment Makers Step Up to Help the Cannabis Industry
This episode of Particulate Matters explores how three equipment firms are teaming up to help cannabis processing operations. John S. Forrester,former Managing Editor,Powder & Bulk Solids From non-psychoactive CBD to THC, the global cannabis market is projected to grow to a value of $85 billion by 2028 as more areas of the world begin to legalize cannabis for medical or recreational uses.
See How Valentine’s Day Conversation Hearts are Produced
Martha Stewart takes viewers inside a Necco candy manufacturing plant to illustrate how the popular product is produced. John S. Forrester,former Managing Editor,Powder & Bulk Solids Known as Conversation Hearts, these little, heart-shaped candies inscribed with romantic messages have been a staple Valentine’s Day treat for decades.
Bob Sperber | Packaging Digest
Bob Sperber Informa Markets - Engineering (IME) Bob Sperber has been a journalist and content creator for three-plus decades, covering news, trends, and innovations for media organizations and corporate clients. He joined Informa Markets – Engineering full-time in 2021 following many years as an independent contractor serving many clients, Packaging Digest among them.
Lisa Pierce | Powder Bulk Solids
Veteran packaging journalist Lisa McTigue Pierce is Executive Editor of Packaging Digest, which has been “The Voice of the Packaging Community” since 1963. She’s been a packaging media journalist since 1982 and tracks emerging trends, new technologies, and best practices across a spectrum of markets for the publication’s global community. Reach her at or 630-272-1774.
Barry Callebaut Starts Work on New Chocolate Plant
Cocoa and chocolate products manufacturer Barry Callebaut held an event on September 28 to mark the start of work on its new specialty chocolate plant in Brantford, ON, a recent company release announced. The $100 million location is expected to open in 2024. The facility will produce sugar-free, high protein, and other specialty chocolate and cocoa products.
LEGO Plots $1B Manufacturing Plant in US
Toy maker LEGO Group is preparing to invest $1 billion to establish a new US manufacturing location at the Meadowville Technology Park in Chesterfield County, VA, a release issued by Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Wednesday. “This transformational project will create more than 1,760 jobs and bolster Virginia’s manufacturing industry,” Gov. Youngkin said in a statement. The 1.7 million sq ft plant will be carbon neutral and include an onsite solar energy park, the company said in its own release.
Significant Manufacturing Labor Issues Persist at Mid-Year
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, manufacturers have taken a number of steps to alleviate ongoing labor shortages, including raising wages and offering enhanced benefits. Despite those efforts, a survey released this month by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)’s Manufacturing Institute (MI) and Colonial Life indicates that workforce challenges remain a major concern for US manufacturing firms in mid-2022.
Report Examines Use of Conveyors in Food Processing Industry
A research report recently published by equipment manufacturer Cablevey Conveyors and research firm Ascend2 provides an in-depth view of how food and beverage processors use conveying equipment in their operations. 214 food processing professionals in the United States surveyed in The State of Conveying report provided feedback on the industry’s top issues, conveying challenges, budgets for conveying equipment, how often their systems are evaluated, and more.
Food Firms Say Cleaning and Maintenance are Biggest Conveying Issues
US food processing professionals identified cleaning and maintenance as the greatest challenge their operations face when conveying materials in a recent survey conducted by equipment maker Cablevey Conveyors and research firm Ascend2. Respondents said their second most-pressing conveying-related concern is downtime or service.
Smithfield Recalls Bacon After Metal Found in Product
American protein products maker Smithfield announced that its Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp. plant in Sioux Center, IA is recalling 185,610 lb of ready-to-eat (RTE) bacon toppings after receiving a consumer complaint that metal was found in a product. The US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) published a notice on the recall on May 20. Impacted products were manufactured on several dates between Feb. 21, 2022 and Mar.
Why Cybersecurity is a Major Concern for Food Firms in 2022
Imagine showing up for work at a food processing plant and finding out that you and all the other staff preparing to start the shift have been locked outside by a group of hackers. While this sounds like the dystopian fare of the show “Black Mirror,” this exact scenario occurred last October at a Schreiber Foods yogurt plant in Richland Center, WI.
Top Food Manufacturers Increasing Capex in 2022
Food and beverage processors faced a range of challenges in 2021 as COVID-19 continued to batter the supply chain. Companies faced labor shortages, issues with raw material suppliers, higher material, labor, and transportation costs, and more. These woes are expected to continue to impact the food and beverage manufacturing industry throughout 2022. This year, a number of major food and beverage players are increasing capital expenditures (capex) to address these persistent issues.
Mars Wrigley Closing Famed Chicago Chocolate Plant
Image courtesy of Keith Homan / Alamy Stock Photo Representative image The production facility in the Windy City will be shuttered over the next two years after nearly a century in operation. John S. Forrester | Feb 28, 2022 American confectionery firm Mars Wrigley revealed plans this week to shutter its chocolate manufacturing plant in Chicago after nearly a century of operations.
CPG Firms to Remain Cannabis Market Wallflowers This Year
Image courtesy of Abaca Press / Alamy Stock Photo Product specialist Chris Moder prepares THC-infused candies at Dixie Elixers & Edibles in Denver, CO. Several industry observers forecast that traditional CPG manufacturers will stay on the sidelines of the growing cannabis market in 2022. John S. Forrester | Feb 28, 2022 A number of large traditional consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturing firms have entered the cannabis market in recent years.
Saint-Gobain Plans $32M Equipment Upgrade Project
Image courtesy of Saint-Gobain The company said the effort will increase production of insulation by 13% at its CertainTeed plant in Chowchilla, CA. John S. Forrester | Feb 22, 2022 Materials producer Saint-Gobain recently announced plans to invest $32 million to upgrade equipment at its CertainTeed insulation plant in Chowchilla, CA that will increase the location’s capacity by 13%.
Top Chemical Industry Engineering Internships for Summer 2022
The chemical industry offers a wide array of career paths for engineering students. One of the best ways to explore the range of professional options available and build real world, hands-on experience is to take part in an internship program at a chemical manufacturing company. Powder & Bulk Solids editors compiled this master list of engineering internships at US chemical firms for summer 2022 to provide a resource to students looking for professional development opportunities.
Abbott Recalls Formula Powder After Pathogens Detected
Nutrition science and products firm Abbott is issuing a voluntary recall for several brands of baby formula powder over concerns that the products may be contaminated with bacterial pathogens. An announcement posted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website on February 17 said the recall includes certain products made at its Sturgis, MI manufacturing facility that are sold under the Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare brands.
Image courtesy of Pixabay Representative image Firefighters responded to the Louis Dreyfus Co. facility in Claypool, IN Tuesday night after smoke was found in a baghouse. John S. Forrester | Feb 18, 2022 Fire crews were sent to the Louis Dreyfus Co. (LDC) integrated soy processing and biodiesel plant in Claypool, IN Tuesday evening after smoke was found in a baghouse at the site, several reports said. The blaze was doused by 9:15 p.m. with no injuries, a company statement sent to Reuters detailed.
5 Food Industry Engineering Internships for Summer 2022
Participating in an internship program is one of the best ways for engineering students to gain practical, hands-on experience and prepare to enter the workforce. The food processing industry has many opportunities for undergrads, graduate students, and recent graduates to use their technical skills and advance their careers.
Cargill Blueprints $48M Corn Wet Mill Expansion
Image courtesy of Kristoffer Tripplaar / Alamy Stock Photo A sign marking a Cargill facility in the United States. Representative image. The agribusiness is reportedly adding a new process building, storage tanks, and transload capabilities to its Fort Dodge, IA plant. John S.
Image courtesy of Chris Pearsall / Alamy Stock Photo The new USA BioEnergy facility in Texas will produce a range of eco-friendly transportation fuels, including sustainable aviation fuel. Representative image. The Texas Renewable Funds (TRF) plant in Bon Wier, TX will process wood waste into 35 million gal/yr of sustainable transportation fuels. John S.
Crews Free Worker Trapped in Soybeans at Bunge Plant
Image courtesy of Bunge Representative image. Officials said the person became stuck in the material while breaking up clumps at the firm’s Decatur, AL facility. John S. Forrester | Feb 15, 2022 Emergency personnel were sent to a Bunge plant in Decatur, AL last Wednesday after a worker became stuck in soybeans. “Upon arrival, a worker was trapped in soybeans, but not in obvious distress.
Why Cybersecurity is a Major Concern for Food Firms in 2022
Imagine showing up for work at a food processing plant and finding out that you and all the other staff preparing to start the shift have been locked outside by a group of hackers. While this sounds like the dystopian fare of the show “Black Mirror,” this exact scenario occurred last October at a Schreiber Foods yogurt plant in Richland Center, WI.
Conveyor Malfunction Causes Months-Long Headache for Kellogg’s
As Kellogg Co. executives discussed the company’s latest earnings report in a call Thursday, analysts were informed that a fire at its Memphis, TN cereal plant last July compounded supply chain interruptions last year caused by strikes at its US cereal production sites. The firm’s leadership also detailed that the financial impacts of the fire and the labor issues are expected to last through the first half of the year.
CPG Executives Say “Great Resignation” Will Continue in 2022
Waves of resignations hit nearly every industry in America last year as the “Great Resignation” took hold across the COVID-weary workforce. Consumer packaged goods manufacturers faced significant staffing challenges in 2021, with many companies raising wages, introducing new benefits for workers, and taking other steps to attract and retain workers. There are some signs that these labor woes will remain a significant headwind for the CPG industry in 2022.
Worker Killed in Machine-Related Incident at 3M Plant
Image courtesy of Kristoffer Tripplaar / Alamy Stock Photo A sign outside of the headquarters of the 3M Company in St. Paul, MN on Oct. 24, 2015. Representative image. First responders were called to the Alexandria, MN plant early Tuesday after a man became entrapped in equipment. John S.
See How Valentine’s Day Conversation Hearts are Produced
Martha Stewart takes viewers inside a Necco candy manufacturing plant to illustrate how the popular product is produced. John S. Forrester | Feb 08, 2022 Known as Conversation Hearts, these little, heart-shaped candies inscribed with romantic messages have been a staple of Valentine’s Day wooing for decades.
Food and beverage processors faced a range of challenges in 2021 as COVID-19 continued to batter the supply chain. Companies faced labor shortages, issues with raw material suppliers, higher material, labor, and transportation costs, and more. These woes are expected to continue to impact the food and beverage manufacturing industry throughout 2022. This year, a number of major food and beverage players are increasing capital expenditures (capex) to address these persistent issues.
Image courtesy of Alabama Dept. of Commerce Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey speaks at a Alabama Graphite/Westwater press event on June 22. Representative image. The funds will pay for infrastructure as Alabama Graphite Products prepares to open a new battery materials plant in the state. John S. Forrester | Feb 04, 2022 Alabama Gov.
Why Cybersecurity is a Major Concern for Food Firms in 2022
Imagine showing up for work at a food processing plant and finding out that you and all the other staff preparing to start the shift have been locked outside by a group of hackers. While this sounds like the dystopian fare of the show “Black Mirror,” this exact scenario occurred last October at a Schreiber Foods yogurt plant in Richland Center, WI.
Image courtesy of City of Clovis Fire Department on Facebook A firefighter was injured when responding the blast and fire at the Clovis, NM facility Tuesday afternoon. John S. Forrester | Feb 03, 2022 Firefighters were dispatched to the Gavilon grain elevator in Clovis, NM Tuesday afternoon after an explosion and fire were reported at the facility, several local news organizations reported.
Phelps Pet Products Buys Production Equipment from Simmons
Image courtesy of petographer / Alamy Stock Photo Phelps Pet Products is expanding its capacity by purchasing equipment from Simmons Pet Food. Representative image. The company is investing $20 million in the machinery to increase its capacity and expand its portfolio. John S. Forrester | Feb 03, 2022 Private label pet treats manufacturer Phelps Pet Products struck a deal to purchase manufacturing equipment from the Simmons Pet Food plant in Siloam Springs, AR, according to a company release.
British Sugar Connects Manufacturing Sites with 4G Network
A new private 4G mobile network recently became operational across several British Sugar manufacturing sites in the United Kingdom as part of the firm’s effort to modernize its production capabilities. The sugar beet processor worked with Virgin Media O2 Business to implement the custom-built secure 4G network between four British Sugar factories over a total area of 2.17km2.
Worker Dies in Lime Powder Storage Silo
Image courtesy of Chemung County Sheriff’s Office Emergency personnel responded to the Anchor Glass plant on Sunday after a worker became trapped in a silo. Officials said the man became trapped in the material after entering a silo at the Anchor Glass plant in Elmira Heights, NY. John S.
BASF Wraps Up Feed Enzymes Plant Expansion
Image courtesy of BASF Representative image The project allows the company to increase the number of fermentation runs at its Ludwigshafen, Germany facility. John S. Forrester | Feb 01, 2022 German chemicals firm BASF recently completed an expansion of its feed enzymes production facility in Ludwigshafen, Germany, enabling it to increase the number of fermentation runs at the site each year.
6K Evacuated as Fertilizer Factory Fire Rages
Image courtesy of Winston-Salem Fire Department A screenshot from a Winston-Salem Fire Department drone video of the Winston Weaver fertilizer plant fire in Winston-Salem, NC. Reports said a large volume of ammonium nitrate was stored at the Winston-Salem, NC manufacturing facility. John S.
Mars Wrigley Closing Famed Chicago Chocolate Plant
Image courtesy of Keith Homan / Alamy Stock Photo Representative image The production facility in the Windy City will be shuttered over the next two years after nearly a century in operation. John S. Forrester | Jan 28, 2022 American confectionery firm Mars Wrigley revealed plans this week to shutter its chocolate manufacturing plant in Chicago after nearly a century of operations.
Tyson Prepares to Cut 200 Positions at Poultry Plant
Image courtesy of Tyson Foods Representative image The separations are part of an effort to shift production from frozen food to prepared meals at the Kentucky plant. John S. Forrester | Jan 28, 2022 American protein products supplier Tyson Foods is gearing up to decrease the headcount of its poultry plant in Robards, KY, according to local news organizations. The company plans to cut some 200 jobs at the location. “Due to growing demand, beginning Jan.
Crews Called to Fire at Frito-Lay Plant
Image courtesy of Kristoffer Tripplaar / Alamy Stock Photo A logo sign outside of the headquarters of Frito-Lay, Inc., a subsidiary of PepsiCo, in Plano, TX on Sept. 12, 2015. Firefighters were sent to the snack maker’s facility in Topeka, KS after a blaze ignited in a forklift Wednesday morning. John S.
Tank Explodes at Westlake Chemical Plant, Injuring 6
Image courtesy of Pixabay Representative image A blast occurred in an empty ethylene dichloride storage tank Wednesday morning at the Sulphur, LA facility. John S. Forrester | Jan 27, 2022 Six people were injured in a blast Wednesday morning at the Westlake Chemical plant in Sulphur, LA. A tank used to store ethylene dichloride exploded and caught on fire around 10:45 a.m., the company told NBC News affiliate KPLC. The vessel was empty at the time of the incident.
Demand for Keto Products to Remain High in 2022
Many consumers have adopted a low-carb ketogenic diet in recent years as interest in healthy lifestyles has increased. Small startup companies have emerged to service the surging demand and some major food and beverage manufacturers have entered the keto market. Interest in the category has skyrocketed. Launches of keto products doubled between June 2020 and May 2021, Food Navigator reported, citing data from Mintel’s Global New Product Database.
Dust Explosion Reported at Nebraska Ethanol Plant
Image courtesy of Pixabay Representative image The blast reportedly occurred in a 100-ft concrete bin at the POET facility in Fairmont, NE. John S. Forrester | Jan 24, 2022 Firefighters were dispatched to the POET ethanol plant in Fairmont, NE Thursday morning after a dust explosion and fire were reported at the facility, according to coverage by the York News-Times.
Worker Dies in Explosion at Illinois Chemical Facility
Image courtesy of Pixabay Representative image Fire officials said the blast at the W.R. Meadows plant was caused by an “electrical event in an explosive vapor atmosphere.” John S. Forrester | Jan 24, 2022 An explosion fatally injured a worker Friday morning at the W.R. Meadows Inc. chemical plant in Hampshire, IL. Crews were sent to the Industrial Drive facility at 10:45 a.m. and arrived on scene to find significant damage to the structure.
3 Hurt in HAZMAT Situation at Pilgrim’s Pride Plant
Image courtesy of Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services on Facebook Crews were sent to the poultry processing facility in Canton, GA Wednesday night after an ammonia pipe leaked. John S. Forrester | Jan 21, 2022 Emergency personnel were sent to the Pilgrim’s Pride poultry processing plant in Canton, GA Wednesday night after a pipe leaked ammonia in the facility, according to local fire officials.
Faulty Conveyor Eyed as Cause of Concrete Plant Fire
Image courtesy of Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue on Facebook Local news outlets said the blaze ignited in the tower of a Peak Ready Mix facility in Colorado on Wednesday. John S. Forrester | Jan 21, 2022 A fire ignited in a conveying system at the Peak Ready Mix concrete plant in Steamboat Springs, CO on Wednesday, creating a thick plume of dark smoke above the facility, local news organizations reported.
CPG Firms to Remain Cannabis Market Wallflowers This Year
A number of large traditional consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturing firms have entered the cannabis market in recent years. The Nestle Health Science-owned Garden of Life brand rolled out a line of CBD-infused products in the US market in 2019. Kraft Heinz’ venture capital unit, Evolv Ventures, invested in Flowhub, a provider of retail software for cannabis dispensaries.
What Cannabis Manufacturers Need to Know in 2022
As the cannabis industry expands and gains legitimacy, one challenge the extraction and manufacturing segment faces is a lack of equipment and solutions specifically geared to their needs. “The production and packaging of cannabis on a larger scale as proven difficult for cannabis companies, as they must pioneer new techniques and processes to prosper,” processing equipment trade association PMMI said in a cannabis industry report.
Consumers Eying Citrus-Flavored Foods and Drinks in 2022
Sales of foods and beverages with citrus flavors boomed over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic as consumers gravitate to products and ingredients that promote wellness and health. Demand for citrusy products has increased in part due to consumers’ awareness that oranges, limes, and other citrus fruits help support the immune system and contain antioxidants.
ExxonMobil JV Starts Up New Gulf Coast Chemical Plant Original
Image courtesy of Seemanta Dutta / Alamy Stock Photo Representative image The Gulf Coast Growth Ventures facility in Texas includes an ethane steam cracker, two polyethylene units, and a monoethylene glycol unit. John S. Forrester | Jan 20, 2022 American firm ExxonMobil Chemical Co. announced Thursday that its joint venture with Saudi Arabian chemical company SABIC started operations at its new manufacturing facility in San Patricio County, TX.
Manufacturing Stakeholders React to SCOTUS’ OSHA ETS Decision
The nation’s highest court issued a decision Thursday halting enforcement of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) that went into effect at the beginning of this week. OSHA’s ETS mandated that private businesses with more than 100 employees require workers to receive COVID-19 vaccination.
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