Bühler Aeroglide commended for apprenticeship program

US Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez met with students at Bühler Aeroglide’s four-year, on-the-job training program in Cary, North Carolina, USA, which introduces students to important aspects of manufacturing such as welding and fabrication, and the basics of automation and design.

The students acquire workplace experience and a paycheck, while simultaneously attending Wake Technical Community College in pursuit of a degree.
Bühler Aeroglide manufactures dryers, ovens, roasters, toasters and hot air expansion systems for the food, feed and industrial product markets.
“The ‘earn-while-you-learn’ apprenticeship model is a win-win for businesses and workers alike,” Perez said. “Businesses gain a pipeline of skilled employees in order to grow and workers gain training for jobs that pay well and offer a secure pathway to the middle class. The innovative partnerships developed here in North Carolina should be a model for communities across the country.”
After four years, Bühler Aeroglide students graduate with an associate degree in mechanical engineering and credentials recognized by the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the US Department of Labor. They are also guaranteed a job upon graduation.
“Today’s visit by US Secretary Perez and NC Commerce Secretary Skvarla validates the importance of apprenticeships, and we want students to know this is a viable option after high school,” said Hansjoerg Ill, President and CEO at Bühler Aeroglide. “Apprenticeships create a unique opportunity to empower young people and help them gain valuable work experience combined with a college education.”
As co-founder of the North Carolina Triangle Apprenticeship Program (NCTAP), Bühler Aeroglide worked with six Triangle companies in 2014 to establish the apprentice standard.
“We are pleased to have had a key role in developing this new apprenticeship standard in North Carolina and we thank colleagues and supporters who helped make it possible,” said Lukas Schoenwetter, director of human resources at Bühler Aeroglide. “As someone who entered an apprenticeship program in Switzerland at a younger age myself, it’s very important to me to see this program realized in the US. An education combined with access to the shop floor will help high school graduates build successful careers in manufacturing. These apprentices, in turn, will go on to be highly skilled employees and will be vital to the development of new ideas, new technologies, and new products that help grow the economy.”

Brookfield Engineering offers practical course on viscosity measurements

Brookfield Engineering is offering its Practical Course on Viscosity Measurements. The course is designed to help Brookfield viscometer users comprehend the functionality of their instrument, solve the mysteries of fluid behavior and rheology, and create successful and repeatable viscosity test methods for use in both R&D and QA/QC environments. Consistent measurement is vital in the success of any product and understanding viscosity is a key part to maintaining quality control, according to the company.

The course is offered at Brookfield’s headquarters in Middleboro, Massacusetts, and at major cities across the US. Space is limited and customers are encouraged to sign up early. “On-Demand” courses are conducted at the customers’ facilities or at Brookfield’s headquarters. An advanced course, Lab Day/Advanced Viscosity Test Methods, is an on-demand course covering more advanced viscosity topics utilizing sample testing. 

Bühler Aeroglide to hold drying theory seminar

Bühler Aeroglide will hold a drying seminar in Cary, North Carolina, on December 9–11, 2014. The seminar aims to help participants learn and apply drying theory to enhance the performance of processing equipment and improve product quality.
“Our most recent drying theory seminar in Barcelona helped European participants understand drying and apply knowledge to their own specific products and processing operations,” said Joe Tordella, manager of field engineering at Bühler Aeroglide. “Each time, our goal is to teach particular skills needed to evaluate drying operations and produce a baseline of improvements regardless of a dryer’s make or model. In the end, participants should be able to go back and train their own colleagues on best drying procedures to improve efficiency, increase production and achieve optimum product quality.”
"Drying Theory Put to Practice" explores drying basics including parameters, balancing, evaluating, mechanical inspections and troubleshooting with a dryer simulation. By learning how to adjust and regulate the process for the desired outcome, participants find hidden areas of opportunity in the drying process. In the long run, this can mean large savings and increased capacity, according to Bühler Aeroglide. The company also provides site evaluations to establish baselines for these improvements.
The three-day-interactive training program was created for plant managers, project managers, plant engineers and quality control personnel. It also teaches advanced drying concepts and measurement practices in a hands-on lab session combined with advance calculation methods used for dryer sizing. On day two, the class gets to address a mystery product and develop an out-of-the-box approach to solve a drying issue. For more information and to register, please contact Carolyn Gill at Buhler Aeroglide headquarters at +1.919.851.2000 or email carolyn.gill@buhlergroup.com. 

Webinar to discuss high-meat recipes and single-screw extruders

Current petfood product developments include high meat/grain-free recipes and related successes using the single-screw extruder to make commercial products.

Register at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/249163065?linknumber=website to attend the webinar, “Processing Technologies in Petfood Manufacturing,” on November 10 at 10 a.m. Central to:

• Discover new formulation synergies;
• Leverage standard and existing production models;
• Learn to maximize existing process architecture;
• Secure the highest level of food safety utilizing systems already in place;
• Enhance process efficiency;
• Establish product protection validation; and
• Identify gains in product value and challenges to managing yield.
Petfood manufacturers, nutritionists, veterinarians, product formulators, QA/QC, and executives should attend this webinar, sponsored by Extru-Tech Inc. and 1 Solution Group and presented by Petfood Industry and WATT Global Media.

Speakers
Speakers for this webinar will be Greg Aldrich, PhD., and Will Henry.
Aldrich is involved directly with formulation/nutrition technologies in the petfood market, and is recognized and respected in the industry for his work. Aldrich conducts research and aids companies with introduction of cutting-edge new products for pets. He actively participates in development of these high-meat extruded foods and will provide insight regarding some of the challenges and opportunities they present in an effort to produce safe and effective food solutions for the next generation of petfood.
Henry addresses petfood manufacturers around the world regarding practical solutions for extrusion, processing, product development and food safety systems.  He will include technical process data regarding the trials completed on high-meat inclusion (with both typical grain-based and exotic no-grain recipes) and the single-screw technology used in the successful development of this new product category.

Fromm Family Foods expands petfood manufacturing campus

Fromm Family Foods is working on an expansion of its Columbus, Wisconsin manufacturing campus, set to be complete in the fall of 2014. The company plans to expand production with a second, independent line along with a new warehouse.

test
A 14,000-square-foot manufacturing process addition will encompass a second state-of-the-art extruder line, doubling the finished product output capacity for the brand. Additionally, a 40,000-square-foot warehouse addition will better help house and distribute all three product lines under the Fromm brand. "The new Columbus expansion will help us continue to keep up with the growing demands of our products," said Tom Nieman, Fromm owner. "A second line allows for more quality control fail safes and the opportunity to open up our capabilities and develop more additions across our three unique lines."
The growth of industry and the expansion of the Fromm Columbus manufacturing facility has created 75 new jobs for Wisconsin workers in the last three and a half years, according to the company.
Fromm will be hosting a ribbon cutting luncheon, welcoming business partners, local and state officials and employees to view the expansion first-hand.

Champion Petfoods to build new Kentucky kitchen

Canada-based Champion Petfoods is building a new kitchen in Auburn, Kentucky, USA—the company's third kitchen, according to reports.

test
"The agricultural heritage and proximity to ranches and farms make locating to western Kentucky an excellent choice," said Champion Petfoods President and CEO, Frank Burdzy. "We are very pleased that the Commonwealth of Kentucky is partnered with us to grow our biologically appropriate mandate.
"Our new custom-fitted kitchens will advance our biologically appropriate and fresh regional ingredient foods," said Burdzy. "We're going to install the best technology available to prepare a unique variety of innovative foods reflecting the Kentucky region." 
Champion's Canadian kitchens will focus on supplying the pet specialty market in Canada, Europe and Asia, while the new Kentucky kitchens will supply the pet specialty market in the US, said the company. Champion's new "Made in Kentucky" foods will be available in 2016.

Vital Petfood Group to become license holder of Technic-Cal Products

Vital Petfood Group A/S will become the new license holder of Technic-Cal Products for Dogs and Cats, effective February 1.

test
"We are very proud to have acquired the license of the Techni-Cal brand, and we look forward to working very close together with all current distributors and developing the business together with them," said Paul van der Raad, CEO of Vital Petfood Group A/S.
Susanna Koning, owner and CEO of Techni-Cal AG, said the Techni-Cal products, in the near future, will be manufactured, sold and marketed by Vital Petfood Group A/S. "Vital Petfood Group has very much expertise in producing super premium pet food and has extremely dedicated staff among which two veterinarians. I am sure that the new license agreement with Vital Petfood Group will benefit distributors, retailers, customers as well as the end consumers - the dogs and cats."

Uniqair, Purdue University odor lab develop odor sampling procedure

A special odor sampling procedure with nitrogen dilution has been developed by Uniqair and Purdue University's odor lab for odor samples with high humidity from fishfeed and petfood dryers.

test
The nitrogen will preserve the odor and prevent condensation for more accurate odor concentration test results, according to the developers. Unlike VOC testing, the odor lab utilizes human noses of screened panel members with odor sensing capabilities that reflect the average person. Odor samples are diluted until detection threshold; the required number of dilution is the odor concentration: DT (detection threshold) or ou/m3 (odor units per cubic meter).
Some petfood recipes with high fat and protein content can have high odor concentrations in the (untreated) air from the dryers of 100,000 DT or ou/m3. This means it needs a stack dilution of 100,000 to ground level. Fish feed generally has even more odor, so for fishfeed or petfood containing fish, a plasma injector with more energy capacity is applied to oxidize these odors.

Attend free webinar on using water to manage petfood safety, quality

Register for the free webinar, Using water activity to manage safety and quality, which will be held Wednesday, January 15 at 10 a.m. CT.

test
Most petfood products have a "moisture sweet spot" - an ideal range that maximizes quality and profit while keeping the product safe from mold and microbes. Water activity is the best way to find that sweet spot - and monitor to make sure you always produce to that specification.
What you'll learn:

• How to identify a petfood product's "moisture sweet spot"
• How testing can reveal a product's moisture secrets
• How to use water activity to maximize safety, quality, and profit in your products
The speaker for this webinar is Brady Carter, a senior research scientist at Decagon since 2004.
This webinar is sponsored by Decagon and presented by WATT Global Media.

AFIA, NGFA to host free FSMA webinar on December 11

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) and Feedstuffs will host a free webinar from 2-5 p.m. EST on December 11, which will address current good manufacturing practice (CGMP) and hazard analysis and risk-based preventive controls for food for animals.
Registration for the webinar, Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) - What You Need to Know Current Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Food for Animals, is available for free online.
The webinar will cover information published in the Federal Register October 29. The release marks the latest set of proposed rules issued by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to implement FSMA.
"The proposed preventive control rule for animal feed and petfood is another important step in FDA's ongoing implementation of FSMA," said David Fairfield, NGFA vice president of feed services. "This webinar will help those impacted gain a better understanding of the proposed requirements."
Key questions that will be answered during the webinar include:
•     When will the rule be effective?
•     How are different sized companies impacted?
•     What CGMP are proposed; who needs to comply?
•     What needs to be in my written hazard identification and preventive controls plan?
•     How do I develop preventive controls for the facility?
Richard Sellers, AFIA senior vice president of legislative and regulatory affairs, said, "These rules will have a major impact on our members. In the webinar, we will help attendees create a plan to implement the preventive control rules."
Featured speakers are:
•     Richard Sellers, senior vice president, legislative and regulatory affairs, AFIA
•     David Fairfield, vice president, feed services, NGFA
•     Jolyda Swaim, principal attorney, and John Dillard, associate attorney, OFW Law
•     Dr. Daniel G. McChesney, director of the Office of Surveillance and Compliance, FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine.

ADF, Rembrandt Enterprises' egg divisions form joint venture

American Dehydrated Foods Inc. (ADF) and Rembrandt Enterprises Inc. (REI) announced the companies have reached an agreement to form a joint venture of their respective egg divisions, which are currently serving the petfood and animal feed industries. The new entity will operate as IsoNova Technologies LLC (IsoNova) and be headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, USA. 
"As a company, we have made a long-term commitment to innovation, and this opportunity is in keeping with that commitment" said Kurt Hellweg, CEO, ADF. "By combining the experience and expertise of ADF and REI, we will be able to even better serve our customers through an increased focus on the research, development and manufacture of innovative egg products for the petfood and animal feed industries."
Under terms of the agreement, all ADF associates located in Social Circle, Georgia; Verona, Missouri; Cumming, Georgia; Lillington, North Carolina; Forest, Mississippi; Texarkana, Texas; and Hanceville, Alabama, USA, along with the REI Petcare division associates located in Spencer, Iowa, USA, will become part of IsoNova Technologies on the effective date of the closing, which is January 1, 2014.
"The creation of IsoNova Technologies represents a real win for the employees, customers and communities served today by ADF and REI," said Dave Rettig, CEO, REI. "We feel that in a rapidly changing and increasingly competitive industry, IsoNova will position us for long-term growth and success as we will be able to quickly and efficiently meet the needs of our customers by bringing innovative new products to market even faster than before."
At the completion of the transaction, all current ADF and REI animal and petfood egg customers will become customers of IsoNova Technologies.

Biomin to open second premix facility in Vietnam

Animal health and nutrition company Biomin recently completed a new premix facility in Binh Duong, Vietnam. This second facility in Vietnam for Biomin is set to open on October 2.
In line with Biomin's "NutriEconomics - achieving sustainable yet profitable farming in animal nutrition" concept, the new facility incorporates sustainable features like solar panels and walls built of autoclaved, aerated concrete blocks to conserve energy.
The facility is fitted with a micro-dosing system and a laboratory with new technologies, including a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry system.
"This will enable Biomin to provide the highest possible level of nutritional and mycotoxin analytical services for its customers. On top of that, the LC-MS/MS will also support the Biomin Mycotoxin Survey Program, strengthening the position of Biomin as the market leader in this field," says Jan Vanbrabant, CEO Asia Pacific, Biomin.
According to Phuong Nguyen Quang, COO, BIOMIN Vietnam, the new facility will allow the company to export to other countries in the region, including Cambodia and Myanmar. The facility's fully automated production system has the capacity to produce 6.5 metric tons per hour. 

Premier Pet Nutrition opens enhanced-safety premix facility

Premier Pet Nutrition has opened its new premix facility designed to provide absolute safety and assurance for all premixes manufactured by the company. 
Enhanced pharmaceutical features expand on its tumble mix system. 
According to Ben Helm, commercial manager: "We have invested heavily in the new premix facility to take our pet premix assurance for petfood manufacturers to the next level.
"I don't believe there is a more advanced pet premix facility anywhere in the world that is able to deliver custom pet premixes to the same level of homogeneity, safety and traceability," Helm added. "This means that our petfood clients can have complete confidence in every bag of custom pet premix they add to their petfood production." 

Nestle to build $98.4 million petfood production facility in Poland

Nestle says the company has selected a key market in Poland to lead the expansion of its petfood production operations in central and eastern Europe, where rising incomes have majorly impacted lifestyles.
The petfood maker says it is constructing a CHF93 million (US$98.4 million) new plant and distribution center in the southwestern city of Wroclaw, Poland. Nestle said the area was chosen because of its strategic position in Eastern Europe, and because Poland is the largest petfood market in Central and Eastern Europe with an estimated 13 million pets.  
"The investment also supports Nestle Purina's long-term ambition to bolster its position in Europe," the company said.
The new petfood production facility will employ nearly 200 people. Construction will begin at the end of 2013 and is scheduled to be completed and the plant operational by the second half of 2014.  

Research and Markets adds Petfood Manufacturers (Global) report to offerings

Research and Markets added the new report, Petfood Manufacturers (Global), to its offerings. 
Plimsoll Publishing's Petfood Manufacturers (Global) analysis provides a detailed overview of the worldwide petfood manufacturing market and delivers a comprehensive individual analysis on the top 200 companies, including San Miguel Foods, Continentale Nutrition and Pet Valu Canada.
Information on financial trends over the past four years is included, for those who want to identify leading and failing companies, seek out acquisitions and analyze industry trends. Information on the largest 200 companies is included in a one-page individual assessment for each company. 
The report can be purchased online.

UK petfood manufacturer granted funding for expansion

MPM Products was granted a £10 million (US$ 15.1 million) funding package from HSBC for significant expansion over the next two years.
The manufacturer of premium dog and cat foods intends to use the development capital to expand its footprint in the petfood markets in the UK and overseas. The funding package, part of HSBC’s £5 billion (US$7.5 billion) International SME Fund, will be used to fund a product development program and geographical expansion. 
James Bracewell, MPM ’s financial director, said, “This funding package will enable us to ramp up our growth strategy and ultimately allow us to achieve our mission – to feed as many dogs and cats as we can, wherever they are.”

Pioneer Natural Pet Foods expands production capacities

Pioneer Natural Pet Foods is offering a new resource for private-label co-packing, thanks to the purchase of the Pied Piper facility in Hamlin, Texas, USA, by new ownership. 
Pioneer Pet Foods upgraded the 148,000-square-foot facility and expanded its capacity for dry kibble dog and cat foods as well as baked and extruded biscuits. The facility, with three production plants, recently scored a 97 percent for cleanliness, food safety, pest control and sanitation from auditing company Randolph and Associates. 
Learn more about the company's capabilities by contacting them at +1.325.576.3300 (Hamlin facility- Dwayne Hunter) or +1.805.416.5034 (corporate office- Dr. Elliott Harvey). 

Wet petfood manufacturer De Haan temporarily relocates production

Wet petfood manufacturer De Haan Petfood BV has temporarily relocated its production after it was stopped following an incident on May 7. 
The petfood company suspended production at its facility in Nieuwkoop, the Netherlands, after an explosion in a retort severely damaged the production line. The damaged part of the production line was removed and the facility was cleaned. 
De Haan negotiated with colleague petfood manufacturers to temporarily relocate parts of its production until the line at its facility is repaired.

Nestle unveils solar array at petfood manufacturing facility in Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Nestle Purina PetCare unveiled the company's largest solar array at its petfood manufacturing facility in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. 
The solar array, designed and installed by United Renewable Energy, is comprised of nearly 1,900 solar panels, which will produce more than 585,000 kilowatt hours of clean, sustainable energy each year. The energy will be used to power equipment in various areas of the petfood production facility, including processing, packaging and warehouse. 
The solar array produces enough energy to power nearly 52 average-sized homes annually, or about 5,000 light bulbs for a year. A solar array of this size has a carbon offset that equates to a CO2 emissions reduction of approximately 16 million pounds.
Nestle Purina purchases its electricity from Georgia Power Company, which derives 7 percent of its total electric energy from renewable sources, including solar, wind and biomass.
Additionally, Nestle Purina donated US$5,000 to the Douglas County, Georgia, K9 Unit in celebration of the solar array. 

De Haan Petfood stops production in the Netherlands after explosion

Wet petfood manufacturer De Haan Petfood BV has temporarily stopped production as a result of an incident in the petfood production facility in Nieuwkoop, the Netherlands. 
In the afternoon on May 7, an explosion occurred in one of the retorts in which under-pressure cans are sterilized. One employee was slightly injured in the blast, and other damages and consequences are currently being assessed.