Aaron Hand

Editor-in-Chief, ProFood World

Aaron Hand has three decades of experience in B-to-B publishing with a particular focus on technology. He has been with PMMI Media Group since 2013, much of that time as Executive Editor for Automation World, where he focused on continuous process industries. Prior to joining ProFood World full time in late 2020, Aaron worked as Editor at Large for PMMI Media Group, reporting for all publications on a wide variety of industry developments, including advancements in packaging for consumer products and pharmaceuticals, food and beverage processing, and industrial automation. He took over as Editor-in-Chief of ProFood World in 2021. Aaron holds a B.A. in Journalism from Indiana University and an M.S. in Journalism from the University of Illinois.

Get the Most Out of PACK EXPO Las Vegas

There is much more for food and beverage processors to see at PACK EXPO Las Vegas beyond the Processing Zone. In this Take Five video, we highlight several of the education and networking opportunities.

unPACKed with Profood World

unPACKed with ProFood World Podcast: Refitting Processing Plants in a Pandemic

Listen to the inaugural unPACKed with ProFood World podcast for insight on the tumultuous past 18 months for food processing facilities and the industry's future plans for avoid repeating some of the same mistakes.

JBT has developed iOPS to provide performance optimization across not only its Avure HPP offerings but across its full equipment line.

Big Data Analytics Optimizes HPP Equipment, Processes

Springing in large part from its acquisition of HPP equipment provider Avure a few years ago, JBT’s iOPS cloud-based performance optimization platform helps to improve utilization, visibility, and control in HPP facilities.

BIX Produce just outside of St. Paul, Minn., chose a FasTop 12S Urethane Slurry System from Sherwin-Williams for its new 30,000 sq ft operating space. The flooring system provides thermal shock, chemical and slip resistance, cryogenic and high-heat exposure tolerance, and durability.

Flooring It: Suppliers Focus on Fast Return to Service

Food and beverage manufacturers are demanding shorter schedules for flooring installations, while also looking for more sustainable options. Floors and drains must also stand up to high standards of thermal shock, caustic chemicals, and bacteria concerns.

More from Aaron Hand

Thanks to a new AbilityOne contract, Transylvania Vocational Services needed to increase production of its instant non-fat dry milk to better serve food banks.

Bagger Helps Dry Milk Packager Meet Food Bank Demand

With a new contract to serve increasing food pantry needs amid the pandemic, a maker of ready-to-eat foods and various powdered products chose a VFFS bagger and auger combination to help improve efficiency as well as sanitation.

With the SeaWell system, trays are thermoformed with cavities into which a GRAS technology blend is dropped and secured with a heat-sealed piece of nonwoven fabric.

Active Packaging Technology Improves Seafood Safety, Shelf Life

SeaWell Protective Active Packaging from Aptar Food + Beverage – Food Protection integrates technology that keeps excess liquid from accumulating around the seafood, reducing bacterial growth, preserving quality, and improving consumer perception.

ThinkIQ’s cloud-based platform takes into account contextual data across the supply chain.

Smart Manufacturing Platform Transforms Poultry Processing

U.S. government-funded CESMII is using ThinkIQ’s intelligence platform to drive smart manufacturing in a pilot project at a chicken rendering plant. The findings could help improve efficiencies across all kinds of energy-intensive industries.

Thanks to a 100% inline seal inspection process, leak-free packages ensure product quality and leave no unwanted residue on machinery.

Inline Seal Inspection Maintains Quality of Retort Pouches

Investing in a state-of-the-art production facility, Brazilian pet food manufacturer Special Dog Company also opted to move to 100% inline seal inspection for its flexible pouches, eliminating concerns about poorly sealed product getting to the customer.

Pandemic-Driven Changes in Food and Beverage Plant Design

Food and beverage producers don’t see COVID-19 as a one-time event. As they actively prepare for the next global pandemic, they’re looking at the changes they need to make in plant design. Find out about their new ideas in this Take Five video.

With about 80 cranberry bogs, Canneberges Bécancour processes about a half million pounds of cranberries per day during a typical harvest.

CO2 Refrigeration Helps Cranberry Processor Overcome Logistics Challenges

Developing a freezing facility to support its original processing plant, Canneberges Bécancour needed something that was energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and easy to operate. The grower found it food retail.

In many food plants, workers are in close proximity, causing concerns for spreading contagions.

Pushing Change to Keep Workers Safe, Plants Running

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted food and beverage manufacturers to implement several new safety measures along with cutting-edge technologies geared toward maintaining production in a booming market. As we move forward, which changes will take root?

At MWC, Fanuc robots are used to place the packaged 40-lb blocks of cheese onto pallets before they go through a stretch wrapper and are taken to the warehouse.

MWC’s Robot Configurations Provide Flexibility

Robotics come into play in the cheesemaker's palletizing operations. But for the most part, that level of complexity isn't needed in a facility producing such consistent product types and sizes. What's needed more is simplified automation.

Advanced Manufacturing Emphasized at Powder Show Digital Flow | COVID-19 Shifts Consumer Trends

Take Five Video: International Powder & Bulk Solids Conference is making an in-person return, but live virtual content remains. Also, Tetra Pak’s research suggests consumers are still expecting manufacturers to meet environmental demands despite COVID-19.