Controls & Machine Components

Packagers give OEMs more say in controls

Trend away from rigid control specifications gives OEMs freedom to work with the best control platform for their design, fosters innovation and cost savings.

January 31, 2006

Spirits/liquors: Page 53

Beverage

How to become a next-generation manufacturer

A piece in the January 13 ARCwire, ARC Advisory Group’s newsletter for manufacturing and supply chain excellence, makes an intriguing argument that automation as we know it today won’t get us across the threshold to the next generation of manufacturing

December 31, 2005

Labels

Technical advances in RFID at hand

New advances in RFID include long-range HF tags, devices that work well with challenging substances, and tags that are sterilization tolerant.

December 31, 2005

Controls & Machine Components

Hershey's new direction on controls

“We invested heavily in controls technology, but in the last few years we’ve changed directions because in too many cases the technologies we implemented were complicating, not simplifying, our packaging operations.”

December 31, 2005

Sustainable Packaging

Private label trends

A recent roundtable report of private label’s evolution at retail is summarized in nine trends.

December 31, 2005

Coding, Printing & Labeling

2006: an exciting milestone and a new outlook for packaging

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Pack Expo, being held October 29 - November 2 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. We spoke with Chuck Yuska, president of the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI), sponsor and producer of the show, about this special anniversary and what the new year has in store for packaging professionals.

December 31, 2005

Secondary Packaging

Companies

Leister Process Technologies, Sarnen, Switzerland, formed a new master distribution network for the United States. The U.S. market will be serviced by the following factory-trained sales and service centers: Assembly Supplies Co., western region; Heely-Brown Co., southeast region; Hy-Tech Products, midwest; and Malcom Co., northeast region.

December 31, 2005

Beverage

Packaging an icon

The aura of Marilyn Monroe continues to raise eyebrows, this time in a sensuously designed boxed bottle of wine.

December 31, 2005

Sustainability

RTD vodka drink four-packs

When Jenn's Cocktail Co., Danville, CA, prepared to roll out its ready-to-drink (RTD) premium flavored vodka beverages in 100-ml glass bottles, the company wanted a four-pack design that would capture consumer attention, especially among young adult women.

November 30, 2005

Recycling

Liquid transfer system for drums

The Economic Plastic Valve (EPV) is a liquid chemical transfer system for chemicals and foods stored in plastic drums. From Micro Matic U.S.A., and molded by Minnesota Rubber and QMR Plastics, the EPV valve replaces older screw-in devices.

November 30, 2005

Sustainability

Wal-Mart launches sustainable packaging initiative

How do you answer the CEO of the largest retail organization on earth when he lays down an environmental challenge?

November 30, 2005

Flexibles

Freezer drink mixes in gallon HDPE pails

El Paso Chile Co., El Paso, TX, is a producer of gourmet “Tex-Mex” foods and beverages.

November 30, 2005

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Groups support alcohol facts labeling

Public interest groups the National Consumers League and Shape Up America held a news conference demanding that the Bureau of Alcohol Tax and Trade immediately mandate an Alcohol Facts panel on labels of beer, wine, and distilled spirits similar to panels on food and beverage packaging.

November 30, 2005