The year was 1968 … when the original Chicken Tucker® was introduced to the poultry industry by the forerunner of the company now known as TNI Packaging, Inc. of West Chicago, Ill.

Chicken Tucker, the pre-tied covered elastic food loop was originally designed to quickly, easily and safely truss whole birds, especially rotisserie chicken. Today, nearly 40 years after its introduction, this simple tie has found many more uses including beef roll ups, stuffed meats, bacon wrapped filets and even corn husk tamales.

TNI was issued a US Patent (5816905) for their colored trusses that are used to identify certain marinades, spices, sauces, rubs, etc.  With the many flavors of marinated birds being sold today, one can only imagine just how popular the colored trusses have become.

To better serve its long standing customers, TNI has moved into a new and larger facility in West Chicago, and has expanded its product line to include disposable meat thermometers or timers, as well as soft knitted HDPE plastic netting for smoking or cosmetic wrap of poultry, hams or other food products.  The netting is heat sealable and heat shrinkable, often eliminating the use of plastic or metal clips, or other types of closures.

More information can be found by visiting TNI’s Web site at www.tnipackaging.com , or toll-free at (800)383-0990.

Silliker has announced the acquisition of Plant Bioactives Research Institute (PBRI) in Orem, Utah. Recognizing the importance of substantiating the integrity of natural products, PBRI was founded in 1991. PBRI specializes in a broad range of tests, including nutraceuticals, vitamins, vegetable extracts, herbs, amino acids, essential oil content, enzymes and biological activity. Under terms of the acquisition, Dr. Bronwyn Hughes and Dr. Larry Lawson will assume the roles of laboratory director and director of research, respectively, of the Orem facility.

Invensys announced that it has completed the acquisition of Cimnet, Inc., a Manufacturing Execution System software company based in Pennsylvania, and this acquisition is now being fully integrated into the Wonderware software business unit of Invensys. This acquisition has closed under the terms of the original agreement that was announced on May 3, 2007. Existing Cimnet offerings will continue to be made available and enhanced for customers under the Wonderware Factelligence and the Wonderware DNC Professional brands.

Polymer Packaging Inc. recently moved its corporate headquarters to Massillon, Ohio. The new facility puts extrusion and converting under one roof with room to grow, according to Larry Lanham, president and CEO of PPI. PPI invested more than $25 million into the Massillon expansion.

SoftwareMatrix MicroScience has announced that one of its clients, the California Dept. of Public Health has won the prestigious International Association for Food Protection Food Safety Innovation Award. The presentation was made to the Microbiology Laboratory Staff of the CDPH Food & Drug Laboratory Branch, Richmond, Calif. at the IAFP 2007 Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla.

Wayne Farms LLC, the fourth largest vertically integrated poultry producer in the United States, announced today that it has raised more than $61,000 to date for the American Cancer Society through its annual participation in the Relay for Life. During the past few months, employees from Wayne Farms’ plants in Laurel, Miss., Decatur, Ala., Union Springs, Ala., Douglas, Ga., Oakwood, Ga., and the company’s headquarters, have held various fundraisers to help the ACS research the causes and treatments of cancer as well as ease the pain and suffering endured by cancer victims and their families. Fundraising efforts culminated with employees participating in local Relay for Life events, where they joined with members of their respective communities to celebrate those who have won their battles with cancer and to remember the victims of the disease.

PPM Technologies has announced that an agreement has been signed with FMC Technologies to acquire Allen Systems and PPM, suppliers of global food processing and packaging technologies. Wright Capital Global Equities will fund the PPM Technologies business. Wright Capital Global Equities, a private equity firm, specializes in mergers and acquisitions in various industries from food technologies and manufacturing to healthcare. PPM Technologies will benefit from focused investment allowing a continuation of the entrepreneurial spirit according to Wright Capital Global Equities Chairman and CEO, Leroy Wright.

Atlantic Premium Brands, Ltd., a producer and distributor of food products for customers in a 15-state region, announced, that it has entered into a five-year$16.5 million loan facility with MB Financial Bank, N.A. The credit facility will be used by Atlantic Premium Brands Ltd. and its wholly owned subsidiaries; Blue Ribbon LP, Richards Cajun Foods Corp., Carlton Foods Corp. and Potter Sausage Company to support their ongoing working capital requirements, capital expenditures, reduce higher priced debt and other corporate purposes.

Hormel Foods has announced the launch of the SPAM™ Operation Education Scholarship Fund, a program that awards $1,500 scholarships to college-bound students of military families. The program goal is to raise $100,000 by March 2008, with Hormel Foods contributing $50,000 and the remaining amount to be collected through consumer donations. One scholarship, at minimum, will be awarded at each commissary location that receives applications. Applications can be downloaded at www.militaryscholar.org. Entrants will be evaluated based on their academic achievements and financial needs.

Perdue has launched a new website to meet the needs of foodservice. The site contains information on Perdue’s products and recipes. The site also has menu ideas and rebates for operators. Ranked third in sales in the poultry industry, Perdue Incorporated is a international food and agriculture business providing products and services to customers in more than 70 countries For more information, visit www.perduefoodservice.com.

Tyson Foods, Inc. has launched a new interactive Web site designed to help promote the company’s new 100% All Natural™ Fresh Chicken Raised Without Antibiotics. Called the “Improv-o-Gram™,” the online experience allows people to create and send their own personalized video messages by utilizing video and audio synchronization technology featuring improvisational actors. It also incorporates information about Tyson’s new line of fresh chicken. The Improv-o-Gram™, which is available at www.cluckhere.com , integrates pre-recorded video performances by real actors with user-recorded audio.

Butterball, LLC has announced it will relocate its corporate headquarters from Mount Olive, N.C., to Garner, N.C., in spring 2008. The company’s more than$12 million investment in Garner’s Greenfield North business park will add approximately 70 corporate and executive-level management jobs to the local community over the next three years. Butterball will occupy 46,000 square feet of office space on more than 12 acres in Greenfield North, located near Interstate 40 and U.S. 70. Construction will take place in two phases. The first phase is expected to be complete in Spring 2008, and a groundbreaking ceremony was scheduled for September.

Printpack Inc., a flexible packaging and specialty rigid container manufacturer, has announced that it has reached an agreement to purchase Grupo Industrial Plástico (GIPSA) of Guadalajara, Mexico. GIPSA is a fully integrated flexible packaging manufacturer of bags, pouches and value-added laminated structures. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Wayne Farms LLC implemented an industry-accredited food quality and safety training program. “Basic HACCP: Concepts for Safe Food Manufacturing”, is designed to educate key personnel about Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP). The company joins a list of protein companies and academic institutions with the development and accreditation of an “in-house” HACCP training program. HACCP is a safety standard set by the federal government to standardize food manufacturer processing quality and safety procedures, and to ensure food manufacturing facilities have stringent microbiological and food contamination monitoring and handling procedures in place.

SFK Systems A/S, Kolding, Denmark has purchased the Canadian company of G.E. Leblanc Inc. Through the purchase, the company expands its operations to the North American market. Leblanc is a leading supplier of process equipment for slaughter houses in North America, with focus on state-of-the-art systems and turnkey solutions. Leblanc has its own development and production facilities in Quebec. The company has 140 employees.

Vormittag Associates, Inc. has announced the hiring of Brian Angle, CPIM, as the firm’s senior sales executive. Angle will support VAI’s strategic growth efforts, emphasizing expansion of VAI’s customer base in the manufacturing and distribution verticals as well as increasing resellers in VAI’s dealer network. Angle brings over 15 years of direct selling and sales management experience to the position. Prior to VAI, as vice president of sales and marketing, Angle spearheaded Canada-based CMS Software, Inc.’s entrée into U.S. markets.