SUPPLIER NEWS

Tate & Lyle PLC has launched a new sustainability program to enable stevia growers in China to lower their environmental impact and gain greater economic benefit from production of this in-demand no calorie sweetener. Developed with environmental charity Earthwatch Europe and being rolled out with support from Nanjing Agricultural University, the outreach program provides farming families in Dongtai, East China with training to help them to modernize farming practices and achieve sustainability-related accreditation for their stevia.

Dawn Foods has announced the acquisition of Icopa, the largest distributor of bakery products in Portugal. The acquisition of Icopa's three distribution centers, including one located directly next to Dawn's ingredient manufacturing plant in Palmela, strengthens the company's presence in Portugal and expands Dawn's distribution capabilities in Europe. The combination of Dawn's ingredients portfolio and Icopa's portfolio of bakery products including packaging, utensils, and decorating supplies, will ensure bakeries have access to all the products and supplies they need to help them grow their business.

Kerry has released new research which reveals that consumers’ expectations around sustainability are rapidly evolving with a growing number demanding increased sustainability benefits from their food and beverage products. The survey of over 14,000 consumers across 18 countries uncovers key consumer associations with sustainability and is one of the largest surveys of this type ever to be undertaken. The research shows that 49 percent of consumers are now considering sustainability when buying food and drink and that their understanding of the issue is evolving from environmental and social responsibility to including sustainable wellbeing and sustainable nutrition.

Harpak-ULMA has announced the relocation of its global headquarters to a new, significantly expanded facility that will feature an advanced state-of-the-art customer experience center. The need for the new facility is driven by Harpak-ULMA’s dramatic growth over the last several years, primarily attributed to its multi-year, four-phase strategy to deliver on the promise of digital transformation in packaging operations. While maintaining its headquarters location in Taunton, MA, the new facility is significantly larger than its previous location, providing much-needed space and introducing enhancements for expanding organizational initiatives and improving employee quality of work life. The new facility also has land available for future expansion.

Award-winning food robotics company Soft Robotics Inc. has announced that it has raised a $10M Series B extension, to further expand commercial operations to meet COVID-19 pandemic-fueled demand. The capital will also go towards the company's launch of its SoftAI powered robotic solutions. SoftAI layers 3D vision and artificial intelligence technologies on top of Soft Robotics' patented, IP69K-rated, soft grasping to give industrial robots the hand-eye coordination of human beings. This unprecedented combination of robotic "hands," "eyes," and "brains" enables, for the first time ever, the automation of bulk picking processes (e.g. bin picking) in the food supply chain.

Eriez Vice President-International Jaisen Kohmuench has announced that the company is boosting its international profile with the establishment of Eriez-Deutschland GmbH (Eriez-Germany), headquartered in Recklinghausen, Germany. The new Eriez-Deutschland management team will work in close partnership with Eriez Magnetics Europe Ltd, which has been selling magnetic separation, metal detection and vibratory feeding equipment into Europe from their headquarters in Caerphilly, UK since 1968. This new entity will increase Eriez’ impact in central Europe, with a strong focus on the German, Austrian, and Swiss markets.

Toshiba America Business Solutions President and Chief Executive Officer Scott Maccabe retired effective June 30 with current Toshiba America Business Solutions Chief Operating Officer Larry White assuming the leadership role. Maccabe will then serve as an advisor to Toshiba America Business Solutions' parent company, Toshiba Tec Corporation. Maccabe has led Toshiba America Business Solutions since accepting the organization's top job in July 2013. He is responsible for achieving record annual profits for the company in six of those years while expanding Toshiba's market share to an all-time best during his tenure.

MGP Ingredients, Inc. has named Erika Lapish vice president of human resources. Lapish brings more than 20 years in global HR management at manufacturing and healthcare organizations to MGP, a provider of distilled spirits, branded spirits, and food ingredient solutions. Lapish has guided the integration and significant scale-up of multiple workforces resulting from organic new-business growth and mergers-and-acquisitions. She is skilled in process improvement, change management, and leadership development.

The Barry Callebaut Group has signed an agreement to acquire Europe Chocolate Company (ECC), a Belgian privately-owned B2B manufacturer of chocolate specialties and decorations. This strategic acquisition expands the Group's value adding specialties capabilities, allowing Barry Callebaut to cater to the increasing demand of food manufacturers for highly customized specialty chocolate and decorations. The integration of ECC expands Barry Callebaut’s specialized chocolate molding capabilities and allows the Group to offer tailor-made solutions thanks to ECC’s advanced inhouse developed technology.

Unifiller Systems is pleased to welcome Daniel Feuereissen as a new sales territory manager at its global head office, as well as the promotion of Andrea Schwanbeck to business development manager food division, North America. Feuereissen has been with Unifiller for over 7 years and is known for his vast technical and product knowledge. He previously worked with Unifiller as a support specialist travelling around the world assisting customers with installs of their Unifiller equipment. Schwanbeck has been with Unifiller for over 23 years and is known for her vast technical expertise and product knowledge. Her background in operations, sales, and customer service lends itself to ensuring customer needs are fully understood to create win/win relationships aimed at providing customers with the greatest possible ROI.