Food Engineering - March 2009 - (Page 13)

MANUFACTURING NEWS PLANT OPENINGS & EXPANSIONS Construction of Hero/Beech-Nut’s 550,000 sq.-ft. baby food plant in Florida, NY should be completed later this year. The facility, situated on 83 acres, is expected to achieve LEED certification and will create 135 new jobs. The project is being handled by Facility Group. Construction of Southern Cold Storage’s new 70,000 sq.-ft. distribution facility in Gadsden, AL is under way and is located adjacent to Keystone Foods LLC’s processing plant. Southern’s facility is expected to be completed in August and will connect to Keystone. Both projects are being managed by Stellar. Proliant has re-entered the dairy business with the completion of its $20 million VersiLac processing facility located in Melrose, MN. The highlyautomated, 18,000 sq.-ft. plant currently produces 50 million pounds (60-70% capacity) of dairy products solids per year and came on line in December 2008. United States Cold Storage (USCS) will build a new 202,000 sq.ft. warehouse distribution center in Turlock, CA. The facility will include more than 22,000 pallet positions, 5.6 million cu.-ft. of frozen and refrigerated storage space and 26 truck dock doors. Built by Stellar, the project is expected to be complete in July. In addition, phase-two expansion of USCS’ Fresno, CA refrigerated warehouse is under way. Another Stellar project, the 140,000-sq.-ft. expansion is scheduled to be complete this summer. Manufacturing sector needs a stimulus package While the majority of Americans believe advanced than other countries, and safer, cleaner and more energy-efficient only about a third (34%) noted that the production are the most important US has become more competitive in the economic manufacturing issues today, past 10 years. nearly half (42%) feel the US has lost “While most Americans think incorits competitive edge in manufacturing rectly that the US is no longer the world’s technology and automation, says a study largest manufacturer, they feel there is an from Opinion Research Corp. sponsored urgent need for government stimulus,” by Rockwell Automation. said Nosbusch. Americans cited product “Whether it’s toys, peanut butDo US companies need to invest in ter or pet food, factory technology & automation? product quality is top of mind for Use energy, water and other natural 3 69% 23% 4 Americans,” said resources more efficiently in 2009 Rockwell AutoContinue to remain competitive 25% 5 6 mation Chair64% and grow in 2009 man and CEO Minimize waste and other negative KeithNosbusch. 63% 23% 5 10 environmental impacts in 2009 “C o n s u m e r s 0 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% recognize that Somewhat agree Strongly agree government Neither agree or disagree Disagree/DK incentives to Source: Opinion Research Corporation. invest in highly automated modern factories can both stimulate US issues as the most important considereconomic growth and lead to safer, clean- ation in determining their support for er and more energy-efficient production a federal stimulus package aimed at US at the same time,” he adds. manufacturing operations. Other related Nearly four-fifths (79%) of Americans issues include continued availability of polled said the government should provide safe, quality products; prices at current or incentives to keep American manufactur- reduced levels; current number and types ing competitive. Most (92%) felt that man- of available jobs; factory automation and ufacturers should use energy, raw materials modernization and more higher-paid, and natural resources more wisely. Other high-skilled jobs. key issues, rated on average by 85% of According to Nosbusch, modern inforAmericans, include minimizing waste and mation-enabled plant floors can track and other environmental impacts; providing trace incoming and outgoing materials safer, high quality products; responding to help ensure consumers get safe, qualmore quickly to customer demands and ity products. Couple automation with providing a safer workplace. sustainable production practices with Less than one-fifth (18%) believe government aid, and American manufacUS manufacturing technology is more turing could get a new lease on life. www.foodengineeringmag.com | Food Engineering | March 2009 13 http://www.foodengineeringmag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Food Engineering - March 2009

Food Engineering - March 2009
Contents
Editor’s Note
Calendar of Events
Manufacturing News
Food Packaging
Technology Sourcebook
Food Safety at the Crossroads
Managing Traceability and Public Trust
Tech Update: Sanitary Design
Classified Advertising
Engineering R&D

Food Engineering - March 2009