FROM JOHN KALKOWSKI
PMMI Study Shows Flexible Packaging On Growth Path
In the last decade, flexible packaging has grown to the second-largest packaging segment in the U.S., according to a new study just released by PMMI, the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies. Flexible Packaging Market Assessment Report 2015 also suggests that while flexible packaging will continue to grow for the foreseeable future, the pace may slow somewhat.
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Schwan Food Simplifies Ingredients In Response to Consumer Demands
The Schwan Food Co., based in Bloomington, MN, is looking to simplify its menu. This doesn’t mean the company is reducing its wide assortment of frozen foods. Instead, as part of a growing trend toward “clean labels,” it is planning to eliminate four ingredient groups with the goal of making foods with more familiar and healthy ingredients.
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Eye Tracking Gains Purchase In Packaging Design
I recently met with Andrew Hurley, an assistant professor for the Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics at Clemson University, to discuss his research and practice, focused on optimizing the packaging design and development process by integrating eye-tracking technology. Hurley also is chairing the upcoming AmericaPack Summit, being held Feb. 22 and 23, 2016 in Las Vegas, NV.
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U.S. Sales Of Packaging Equipment Slowing In Mature Market, Study Says
The U.S. market for packaging equipment is expected to remain flat, or show a slight growth of about 1.6 percent for the remainder of 2015 and upcoming 2016, according to the State of the Industry U.S. Packaging Machinery Report from PMMI, the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies.
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Food Industry Creates Technician Certification Program
A major concern for the food industry is recruiting and keeping skilled technicians to maintain and operate the increasingly complex machinery that keeps their operations running. A large number of veteran, Baby Boomer technicians have retired or will do so soon. The industry simply has not been able to replace these mid-skill workers with new recruits who have the requisite mechanical and electronic training needed to operate and maintain...
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Dairy Co-Op Grows Base By Emphasizing Organic Foods
The nearly 1,800 farmers who belong to the Organic Valley co-op are on a mission. These farmers produce and market dairy, vegetable, fruit, and meat products across the country, and they say their philosophy and decisions are based on the health and welfare of people, animals, and the earth. Their customers apparently appreciate that approach since the co-op has grown substantially since its launch in 1988.
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3-D Printing Is Shaping The Future Of Packaging
In just a few years, 3-D printing has gone from a science-fiction vision to manufacturing reality in the packaging industry. The process gained its foothold as a design tool that was able to streamline prototyping. Now, it’s even being used to make finished packaging or tooling for packaging equipment.
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John Kalkowski
John Kalkowski is editor in chief of Food Online, covering food processing and packaging. He has more than 20 years of experience as a journalist and production leader at several newspapers and trade magazines around the United States and in Hong Kong. In addition, he has extensive experience in the packaging industry, serving in marketing roles for packaging equipment OEMs and as editorial director of Packaging Digest. John is a graduate of the University of Nebraska, has a Master’s in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and was a journalism fellow at Chinese University of Hong Kong.
You can reach John by email at john.kalkowski@foodonline.com
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