Reiser has announced the successful completion a sales agreement between Repak BV and Reiser U.K. The agreement names Reiser U.K. as sales agent for Repak packaging machines in the United Kingdom. Reiser has been representing Repak in the United States and Canada since 2003. The agreement is effective June 2, 2008. Repak is a leading manufacturer of horizontal form/fill/seal packaging machines for the meat, poultry, seafood, cheese and prepared food industries.
Stellar has completed the construction of two warehouses and is currently constructing another for Dot Foods. The three facilities will help Dot distribute more products across the United States. In Cambridge City, Ind., Stellar provided design/build services to provide Dot with a new 170,000-square-foot distribution facility consisting of a dry warehouse, an ammonia refrigeration plant, a machine room, administrative offices, a maintenance garage and a loading dock. In Williamsport, Md., Stellar added 106,672 square feet to Dot’s existing facility to better accommodate customers in the mid-Atlantic region. Dot’s new 139,000-square-foot warehouses in Burley, Idaho will serve as its Pacific Northwest distribution center upon completion. The facility includes a dry warehouse, an ammonia refrigeration plant, administrative offices, a maintenance garage and a loading dock.
Silliker has announced a licensing agreement with Kraft Foods for a patent pending in-vitro method for predicting the glycemic index of foods. Initially under the licensing agreement, Silliker will exclusively offer this method in North America at its Chicago Heights, Ill. laboratory. At a future date, the offering may be expanded to include Silliker chemistry operations in Europe and Australia.
Diversified Imports Inc. is now the official distributor of Aquatech Pro Inc. products, including the AgraChlor standard remote gas chlorination unit. Diversified Imports will also distribute Aquatech Pro’s Sure Flow peristaltic pump and Iron X filtration unit. Aquatech systems reduce water pH and eliminate bacteria. Additionally, removal of organics in water systems reduces the oxidation process on the drinkers and equipment, lessening the need for service and replacement. The system’s long life filters, built to last 25 to 30 years, also lessens maintenance time.
FKI Logistex has formed a dedicated robotics integration group to provide customers with focused robotic palletizing and depalletizing solutions, including system design, manufacture, programming and support. The group will benefit the company’s growing portfolio of customers with multiple robotic installations by enhancing post-order capability and performance and increasing overall service and support. Bill Natsch, director of business development, leads the robotics integration group. Prior to joining FKI Logistex in 2006, Natsch was vice president of operations for Bastian Material Handling (formerly Van Pak).
Celanese Corp.’s Clarifoil product, the cellulose acetate film for carton windows, print lamination, labels and tapes, was recently awarded the OK certificate for home compost conformity issued by AIB-Vincotte International. The certification follows comprehensive testing with Clarifoil, which already holds DIN EN 13432 and ASTM D6400 biodegradability accreditation.
Intralox LLC was recently named “Supplier of the Year” by Tyson Foods Inc. Tyson presented the award to several of its suppliers in recognition of their contributions in continuous improvement, customer satisfaction, sales and technical support, and ease of doing business. In 2007, continuous improvement projects with Intralox yielded more than $1 million in actual savings for Tyson. While completing over 3,200 transactions with Tyson in the past year, Intralox maintained a 99.8 percent accuracy and on-time shipment rate. Additionally, Tyson was among the first protein processors to implement Intralox’s Activated Roller Belt technology in its operations.
Benelact, the dairy division of Alliance Enterprises, released the results from a recently-conducted Voice of Market survey showing that the food marketing and manufacturing industry is looking to fill a void in the marketplace for healthy consumer options. The survey, conducted by a third party, solicited responses from a cross-section of food and beverage industry professionals in the United States to learn more about their manufacturing and product innovation plans, as well as the climate and future direction of the industry.
Gainco Inc. has announced its move to a new headquarters located in Gainesville, Ga. Almost twice the size of Gainco’s former facility; the new headquarters will house executive offices plus R&D, engineering, manufacturing, sales and marketing, customer service and administrative functions. Gainco’s new headquarters address is 1635 Oakbrook Drive, Gainesville, Ga. 30503. The phone and fax numbers have not changed. In addition to its Gainesville facilities, Gainco maintains a second sales and service center in Ft. Smith, Ark. Both facilities include extensive warehouse operations.
The International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) recently selected 3M Microbiology as the 2008 recipient of the Black Pearl Award. The Black Pearl Award is given annually to one company for its outstanding achievement of corporate excellence in advancing food safety and quality. When evaluating candidates for the Black Pearl Award, IAFP seeks companies that exemplify excellence in advancing food safety and quality through numerous channels, including customer programs, employee relations, educational activities, adherence to standards and support of the goals and objectives of IAFP.
Remco Products has announced the launch of its new sales Web site (www.remcoproducts.com) for hygienic, color-coded cleaning tools. The new site showcases solutions for your HACCP programs including shovels, scoops, scrapers, tubs, and the Vikan hygiene system® line of brooms, brushes, squeegees, and handles. Remco’s products are made from FDA-approved materials and ISO-certified to provide maximum hygiene and traceability.
