Rich Berger

Why are food manufacturers turning to operating their own manufacturing facilities? Larry Gigerich discusses how the growth of the food and beverage industry is impacting manufacturing nationally in this Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) article: https://lnkd.in/gSiKEyV9

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KKR-backed Fortifi Food Processing Solutions, a provider of automated processing solutions designed to solve tomorrow's problems for the entire food industry, completed the acquisition of Nothum Food Processing Systems, a food processing equipment and automation solutions provider. Financial terms were not disclosed. “Nothum provides innovative, high-quality equipment backed by strong customer service. Thanks to Nothum’s technology leadership, this acquisition expands Fortifi’s advanced processing offerings and allows us to continue serving our customers with excellence," Massimo Bizzi, Fortifi Chief Executive Officer. Fortifi (led by Massimo Bizzi) was advised by Baird (led by Michael Barina). Nothum Food (led by Robert Nothum) was advised by William Blair. #MergersAcquisitionsDivestitures #Technology #Food

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Food Engineering Magazine talks about the increased importance of CIP (Clean in Place) technology, at a time when the U.S. is facing an extreme shortage of labor in the manufacturing sector. "The result is a more sustainable and efficient food processing industry." Read more from Food Engineering: https://lnkd.in/gNKBd8qT #CIP #Cleaninplace #foodandbev #foodandbeverage

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"LEASE AGREEMENTS 101: BENEFITS OF LEASING A PASTEURIZER AND WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU SIGN" Article Release for Brewmasters and Beverage Makers, sponsored by PRO Engineering / Manufacturing Inc. Article Excerpt: “Leasing a beer and beverage pasteurizer can offer several benefits for breweries and beverage companies, especially those who need advanced equipment but want to manage their capital expenditure efficiently. Here are some of the key advantages: Benefits of Leasing a Tunnel or Batch Pasteurizer Reduced Initial Costs: Leasing equipment typically requires a lower initial investment compared to purchasing outright. This can be particularly beneficial for new or smaller companies that may not have the capital to invest in expensive pasteurization technology upfront. Flexibility: Leasing offers flexibility in terms of contract duration and terms. Companies can lease equipment for the specific time they need it, which is ideal for seasonal production or for testing new products. Additionally, leases often allow for upgrades to newer technology at the end of the term, which is crucial in industries where technology advances rapidly…” Click for the full article: https://lnkd.in/eZXN3aJR Click to have our experts answer any questions you have or give you a quote on a customized pasteurizer to fit your needs: https://lnkd.in/g6WhCa58 Check out the latest industry news and trends: https://lnkd.in/e6w__bCu PRO Engineering / Manufacturing Inc. 11175 W Heather Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53224 414-362-1500 sales@prowm.com https://prowm.com Tunnel Pasteurizers: https://lnkd.in/ePyVUcz Batch Pasteurizers: https://lnkd.in/gJGSkvpY Previous Post: https://lnkd.in/eM_g8TT4 #beerindustry #hardseltzernews #hardseltzer #beverageindustry #beernews #alcoholindustry #brewery #craftbrewery #craftbeers #tunnelpasteurization #batchpasteurization #cider #beveragetrends #batchprocessing

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Interesting article shedding some light on why our club sales could be or are increasing. WSJ is about the best source there is for real news these days.

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The banning of noncompete agreements makes it easier for employees to vote with their feet. It's a fascinating move which will make it easier for employees to leave situations they don't like and incentivize employers to build workplaces people love and want to stay, making any agreement like these moot. It your retention strategy is more focused on being harder-to-leave than being an employer of choice, you are losing a tool here. Stay bonuses, vesting stock options, and other delayed forms of compensation may be next. To change the trajectory of your retention strategy from 'hard to leave' to 'want to stay' here are are a few places to start. 1️⃣ Conduct stay interviews. Ask a cross section of employees why they have stayed and what would need to be true for them to stay for another decade? Pay and promotions will certainly come up, but dig into the intrinsic side of work too. Ask, what would you like the authority to decide? How can we help you deepen relationships? How do you want to grow? What accomplishments do you want to be known for over the next decade? What rules, restrictions, or policies do harm? 2️⃣ Find inspiration from pioneers in the world of work. Going back to the same old mindset that employees and employers have a transactional relationship can only get your retention strategy so far. Learn about progressive workplaces like Patagonia, Haier, Nucor Steel, Buurtzorg, and many others. The workplaces challenge the standard worker/boss paradigm and it shows up in the way the organization works. A new playbook to love work is emerging out of these pioneers. 3️⃣ Start by starting. Chances are you already know many gaps between the ideal employee experience and where you are. No one is perfect. Identify one, just one obstacle to doing great work. Maybe it's ambiguous decision making, unclear roles, ineffective feedback loops, or silo'd communication. There are so many options. Again, no one is perfect. Bring a cross department group to design a solution worth trying, then give it a try. 4️⃣ Take one step forward. Companies that truly live into their values and are really purpose driven do things which seem crazy to rest of us. Chances are you have stated organizational values... Take a look at one and ask, "How might we take this value too far... in how we meet? ...in how we organize? ...in how we compete? ...in how we share information? ...in how we distribute authority? ...in how we share profits? For employees to stay they need to trust their leaders? for leaders to be worthy of that trust, they must walk the talk. How the FTC decision to bad noncompete agreements will play out is rather uncertain and leaders across the country will have many choices. What is more certain is that regardless of the regulatory landscape, designing organization's people love is always a good choice.

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Food Safety Team: “We need to address this foreign material concern.” Operations Team: “We need to fulfill production quotas.” Sound familiar? That pressure dynamic is all too real in the food production space. No two FMC incidents are the same, but you can alleviate some of that stress by looking at a few key questions. 💡 Do you have a firm grasp on what the issue is? Think about the type and size of the contaminant, when the event happened, and how much product you need to place on hold. 💰 What will this cost you? Think about how much labor you’ll need for rework, what downtime you can use, and how much of your normal production will be halted to solve the problem. ✅ How many options do you have to address the problem? Think about alternatives like external inspection or rework service providers, or sending product to the landfill outright. No matter the incident, you’re putting a large amount of product on hold and bringing that down in size as food is deemed safe throughout your investigation. Check out more of the conversation with Bryan Armentrout around building a best-in-class foreign material contamination process in the video below. #foodsafety #foreignmaterialcontamination #foodinspection

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In the ever-evolving landscape of food safety and quality (FSQ), companies face increasing challenges and opportunities to strengthen their initiatives. Let's delve into the key areas that demand prioritization and explore why cultivating an FSQ-driven culture is paramount. 1. Enhanced Food Traceability: With the FDA's Food Traceability Rule (FSMA Section 204) set for full compliance by January 2026, businesses dealing with high-risk foods must gear up for new traceability requirements. Establishing robust data management and supply chain visibility is critical to meeting these regulatory standards effectively. 2. Strategic Recall Communication & Prevention: The surge in recall units witnessed by the FDA in 2022 underscores the importance of strategic and transparent recall practices. Collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams and external partners can help companies swiftly address issues, identify root causes, and proactively navigate recall processes. 3. Effective Allergen Management: Undeclared allergens remain a prevalent cause of recalls, emphasizing the need for rigorous allergen management programs. By refining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), enhancing ingredient sourcing and supplier management, implementing advanced technologies for inspections, and investing in comprehensive employee training, companies can significantly mitigate allergen-related risks. 4. Fostering an FSQ-centric Culture: Amidst challenges like labor shortages and evolving regulations, building a culture that prioritizes FSQ is crucial. Investing in continuous training, development, and education for employees not only ensures compliance but also empowers teams to uphold the highest standards of safety and quality. By focusing on these key areas and nurturing a culture that values FSQ initiatives, companies can not only meet regulatory requirements but also bolster consumer trust and drive long-term success in the dynamic food industry. Explore more insights from the source for a comprehensive understanding of FSQ best practices. #FoodSafety #QualityManagement #FSQInitiatives #traceability

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🌱🐔 Pasture Raised or Free Range – Do You Know What These Label Claims Mean? 🐮 🌱 Understanding label claims such as "Pasture Raised" and "Free Range" can be confusing. However, important steps are being taken to clarify these terms. Perdue Farms has petitioned the USDA FSIS to define these claims more precisely for Meat and Poultry. But did you know that USDA National Organic Program (Agricultural Marketing Service) already sets high standards for pasture access and feeding requirements for livestock and poultry? With the upcoming implementation of the Organic Livestock and Poultry Standard (OLPS) in January 2025, organic production will solidify itself as the gold standard, ensuring consumers receive clarity, third-party verification, and robust federal regulatory oversight for these claims. 🥇✅ We're thrilled to see that the Organic Trade Association (OTA) has emphasized the significance of incorporating organic standards when forming definitions for "Free Range" and "Pasture Raised" labels on meat and poultry. This adds to the transparency and trust consumers can have in their food labels- and ensures that USDA programs recognize the internal framework already established to support clarity in claims. 🌾🔍 Curious about organic compliance and how to ensure your operations meet these rigorous standards? Strengthening Organic Systems, LLC offers tailored solutions to help businesses navigate this landscape smoothly and efficiently. From comprehensive compliance support to strategic training programs, we have the expertise to elevate your organic certification process. 🌟📋 Read more about the Perdue petition and OTA’s comments here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gHWp-HcS #KnowWhatYouAreBuying #OrganicStandards #FreeRange #PastureRaised #OrganicCertification #ComplianceExcellence #StrengtheningOrganicSystems #TransparencyInFood #USDAOrganic #OTASupport

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Tip 💡 Adding the FSSC 22000 v6 requirements to your annual employee refresher training is imperative for a holistic approach for food safety management.

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Today's project spotlight details the work our team did for a large dairy processor in California to improve their butter production process. Click the link to learn how we helped our customer improve efficiency: https://lnkd.in/g4747wEd #industrialautomation #dairy #foodandbeverage #engineering #processcontrol

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In the article below, which was published in today's edition of The Packer, Francine Shaw, CP-FS, FMP, co-host of Don't Eat POOP! A Food Safety Podcast provides six tips for building a more robust food safety culture. 🌟🍎🔒 Matt & Francine talk about food safety culture regularly on the Don't Eat POOP! A Food Safety Podcast. Here is a link to a recent episode where they explored the topic of food safety culture in-depth!🔍🍴 Listen here 👉🏻 https://lnkd.in/ejfq-MTn Jonathan Needham Matt Regusci #FoodSafety #FoodSafetyCuture #FoodSafetyTips #ProduceTips

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How you load smokehouse trucks impacts airflow. Which impacts yields and consistency in your product. Do it correctly. Here's how 👇🏼 - Fully load the oven Ovens are designed to create breakpoints based on full capacity. - Fully load the truck This ensures proper airflow across each piece of product. - Never overload a truck You'll create a "wall" that air can't get around, impacting yields and consistency. - Evenly space product over each cart Need to run a partial batch? Use the maximum number of carts and evenly space products over them. This will help with airflow. Far too many operators don't follow these rules. Causing yields and consistency to vary greatly between batches. Which ultimately costs you money. #smokehouses

In this in-depth look at the emergence of #robot assisted #kitchens, we’ll explore the nuanced impacts on #restaurant operations, the sensational flavors these robotic sous #chefs can achieve, and the broader implications for the future of #food service!

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Food safety can be complex. Limble is here to help. In honor of Safety Month, we're providing resources to make understanding safety obligations easy. This one-page Food Safety Management Summary takes a complex topic and boils it down to a simple overview to help you and your team get started. Check it out here! https://hubs.la/Q02BLf060

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Exciting to see the industry discussing glove safety! 👏 Food Safety Magazine Study: Are Gloves Worn by Food Handlers Protective of or Damaging to Food Safety? https://hubs.ly/Q02zx2MZ0 #foodsafety #foodsafetymatters #foodsafetyculture #gloves #PPE #healthandsafety #contamination #recall #foodborneillness #phthalates #foodborne #research #QA #QAFS

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Is your dairy safety testing program leaking profits? 🥛💸 Traditional methods like plating can hide significant costs: - Labor hours wasted preparing samples for incubation and waiting for results - Extra storage space to hold products - False positives leading to discarded batches - Recalls damaging your brand Our new blog post exposes these hidden expenses and reveals how Hygiena's rapid testing solutions can transform safety from a cost center to a profit driver. Read “Prevent Pathogens, Protect Profits: Ensuring Dairy ROI by Mitigating Contamination Risks with Hygiena®” 👉https://lnkd.in/eM7QFcYH #FoodSafety #DairyIndustry #PathogenDetection #RapidTesting

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During one of my favorite Chem-E co-ops in college, I had a plant manager who was exceedingly supportive in immersing us in plant life, and we were trained in a variety of plant-related skills. Outside of the usual safety training, we did extensive confined space training, fire fighting/SCBA training, pipe-fitting, tracing lines, you get the idea. It was also where I learned how to drive a forklift, and I recently came across this video of our "final exam" in which we had to pick up a washer using the fork, in order to pass. Not only did it require us to use the skills we developed, but we had to think creatively to figure it out! Is this the strategy you'd use to pick up the washer? #engineer #coop #learning #continuededucation #plantlife #manufacturing #forktruck #finalexam #alwayslearning

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