Marel Food Systems and Stork N.V. have announced that they have entered into an agreement on the acquisition of the Stork Food Systems division of Stork N.V. The companies expect the transaction to be closed within several months, subject to anti-trust clearance and other customary closing conditions. Until then both companies will continue to operate independently as before.

Marel is headquartered in Gardabaer, Iceland, and manufactures a wide range of machines and systems for most sectors of the food processing industry worldwide. Stork, headquartered in Boxmeer, The Netherlands, is a global provider of solutions for the poultry, red meat and further processing industry. Stork Food and Dairy Systems – part of the Stork Food Systems Group – manufactures products for the fast growing dairy, juice, food processing and pharmaceutical segments.

Grote Company has announced that it has acquired United Kingdom-based Advanced Food Technology Ltd. (AFT). AFT manufactures specialty cutting and depositing equipment for other areas of the food industry, including vegetables, confections and breads. AFT will operate as a division of Grote Company under the name AFT Ltd. Grote produces slicing and application equipment for the food processing industry.

Food Safety Net Services has announced its newest, full service laboratory located in Atlanta, Ga. The facility officially opened on October 15, 2007. For more information about the Atlanta laboratory, or other FSNS facilities throughout the U.S., visit the company’s website at www.food-safetynet.com.

Osgood Industries, a packaging machinery manufacturer, will represent Bosch Packaging Technology in the dairy industry, an area where it has special expertise and experience, with the potential to expand into other segments of the food market. The two firms have complementary product portfolios. Bosch’s expertise in sterile filling and Osgood’s background in clean filling of dairy products enforces the market presence of both companies. The cooperation is also designed to create synergies across the two organizations that increase the effi–ciency of marketing and sales efforts. Osgood’s focus will be on Bosch’s TFA line of aseptic thermoform-fill-seal machines.

Bettcher Industries has announced a major expansion of its company-run operations in Brazil. The Brazilian headquarters office has relocated to facilities that are nearly twice the size of its original space, including expanded inventory and warehousing facilities. The new office is part of the Austin commercial complex in the São Paulo metro area, conveniently located near airport and the city’s other transportation hubs. According to Edson Bittencourt, managing director for the Brazil office, Bettcher Industries’ expansion is the result of significant growth in business activities and sales that have occurred since the company established factory-direct operations in Brazil in 2003.

Food Safety Net Services was honored to host Vice Minister Liu Yanhua and his delegation from China’s Ministry of Science and Technology in October. Consul General Qiao Hong, Consul General of Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Houston was also in attendance. The purpose of the Vice Minister’s visit was to learn more about food safety as well as tour FSNS’ San Antonio laboratory in order to see first hand the many types of technology available for pathogen detection. The delegation also attended a presentation given by Gina and John Bellinger and Dr. Wendy Warren-Serna explaining the different technical services offered by Food Safety Net Services.