The Grote Company family of brands, a provider of equipment and services to the food processing industry and parent company of PFI, Vanmark, and ProFab, announced that it has acquired SPI Automation, a provider of automation and robotic solutions for labor-intensive manufacturing with locations in Sandy and Salt Lake City, UT. SPI’s experience in food production automation builds on Grote’s brands’ offerings. The company’s capabilities will expand robotic applications and controls capacity for all divisions.
Dynamic Conveyor launched its DynaClean S Series, a portfolio of conveyors designed for the food processing industry. Suitable for snacks, bakery items, and other edible products, the machines are intended to meet the rigorous hygiene standards required in food production. According to the company, standard delivery time is under four weeks. The full-washdown conveyor can be used to move breakfast sandwiches, vegetables, fruits, and other items.
FlavorSum, a North American flavor producer, has shared trend-driven insights to inspire food and beverage innovation pathways in 2025. In the two-part blog series, the FlavorSum team of flavorists, application specialists, and market analysts collaborated to review cultural and flavor trends anticipated to affect product development. The blog explores cultural trends shaping behavior and innovation, aligning flavors with evolving shopper needs, and more.
Key Technology, a member of Duravant’s Food Sorting and Handling Solutions group, introduced its Compass optical sorter for nuts at PACK EXPO. The high-capacity system identifies and removes undesirable product defects and foreign material (FM) such as shells, shell fragments, rocks, and wood sticks. Compass reportedly helps nut processors protect food safety and achieve exact final product quality specifications, including color grading, while maximizing ease of operation and increasing profitability.
Crespel & Deiters reports it has devised an innovative way to enhance the nutrient density of pizzas and other bakery products. The resistant wheat starch Lory Starch Elara reportedly boosts fiber content while also supporting the reduction of carbohydrates in finished products. Variants of the Lory Protein range are designed to boost overall protein content, making pizza and pasta a healthier choice.
Econocorp unveiled the newest addition to its line of secondary packaging machinery, the Spartan M-Pro cartoning machine, at PACK EXPO. The intermittent motion horizontal cartoner builds on the brand's Spartan cartoner, which has been the company’s workhorse for over 40 years. Spartan M-Pro is reportedly a compact, efficient unit that removes complexities typically found in small cartoning systems. It handles a variety of small carton applications, including those in the pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, personal care, cannabis, automotive, and industrial industries.
In partnership with System Square, Prospection Solutions unveiled its dual-energy x-ray inspection system at PACK EXPO. The new equipment includes SXM2 Series Dual-Energy X-Ray Systems, SXS2 Series X-Ray + Optical Seal Inspection Systems, and its SD Series Metal Detection Systems.
Kemin Industries recently added two new members to the team of technical experts for Kemin Food Technologies – North America. Juan Carlos Monge has joined the business unit as technical services manager and Kayle Eivins has been hired as technical service associate. Monge brings more than30 years of R&D and technical experience in meat and various meat species to his new role, and Eivins will support both the Kemin legacy portfolio, as well as a suite of functional proteins from a commercial perspective, including customer visits, trials, and technical support.
Manfred Bonetsmuller, the founder and managing director of the Somic Group for decades, passed away on October 10, at the age of 83. His inventive spirit and personality reportedly shaped the company from Amerang in Upper Bavaria for more than 40 years. In the early 1980’s, Bonetsmuller formed the foundation for Somic's continued success by developing the first carton erector.
Global bakery manufacturer and ingredients distributor Dawn Foods has announced the promotion of Ahmet Hepdogan to SVP, supply chain and procurement, North America. In this expanded role, Hepdogan will oversee Dawn’s distribution services and supply chain while continuing to lead Procurement efforts in the region. Hepdogan will report directly to John Schmitz, COO, Americas, and continue to serve on the North America Leadership Team
