Filling & Packaging Equipment & Systems

DFA to purchase a portion of Dean Foods’ assets for $433m

By Beth Newhart

After several months of back and forth following the Dean Foods bankruptcy, the Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) co-op is acquiring a majority of its assets for $433m. Prairie Farms Dairy will also get a portion for $75m.

DFA is re-evaluating its options to submit another bid by the deadline.

DFA is no longer confirmed to purchase Dean Foods

By Beth Newhart

Though it was announced last month that Dean Foods and the Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) entered into an asset purchase agreement, that has been mutually terminated. The co-op is still in the running but is no longer the ‘stalking horse’ bidder.

“Do you provide paid sick leave for your employees? If not, will employees feel financially obligated to come to work even when sick?”

NMPF beefs up coronavirus resource website for dairy

By Beth Newhart

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) in the US has set up a designated website for those in the dairy industry to utilize during the health crisis. It’s updating regularly with general information, work permit templates and multimedia resources.

US lays out new COVID-19 guidelines for food industry

By Beth Newhart

The Trump Administration released a set of coronavirus guidelines for all Americans, with special provisions for critical infrastructure industries like food and beverage. Brands have been adapting this week to the new reality, while keeping employee...

Containers and lids are what it’s used most for, though it adapts to any rigid container, like single serve yogurt cups or milk cartons. Pics: Muller Technology

Muller Technology debuts flexible M-Line robot

By Beth Newhart

A new automation line for thin-wall packaging is available now from Muller Technology. It accommodates multiple mold types and pitches and multiple cavitation for rigid containers.

DFA forms new Ingredient Solutions division

By Beth Newhart

The Dairy Farmers of America is realigning its portfolio of dairy-based ingredients into a new group, DFA Ingredient Solutions. It says this will provide better support for food manufacturers and operators.

The former co-CEOs plan to ‘stay close’ to the brand as board directors and investors, working on innovation and brand storytelling.

Yasso opens new HQ in Colorado with fresh leadership

By Beth Newhart

As a Greek yogurt-based ice cream alternative, Yasso has grown to be a nationally distributed better-for-you dessert. Now the brand is handing off its leadership to a new management team and opening a headquarters in Boulder, Colorado.

DBA ‘policy picnics’ bolster member engagement

DBA ‘policy picnics’ bolster member engagement

By Beth Newhart

This summer, the Dairy Business Association (DBA) has hosted ‘policy picnics’ in collaboration with the Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative. The member events brings together the dairy community during a time of economic stress.

Grupo Lala has been setting its sights on more premium products, like Promised Land's high-protein and high-calcium milk.

Grupo Lala’s Q2 shows growth in US premium products

By Beth Newhart

Mexican dairy producer Grupo Lala's 2019 second quarter sales netted 14,467m pesos ($758m) in Mexico, a 3.9% increase from Q2 2018. The company cited “innovation and an improved mix” of its ‘value-added dairy’ offerings as reason for the jump.

Dairy manufacturers are struggling with production efficiency, unplanned machine downtime, maintaining quality, and environmental sustainability.

Processing dairy trends at ProFood Tech

By Beth Newhart

Production efficiency, automation innovation and CPG trends in dairy were all showcased at the ProFood Tech show in Chicago last week.

Dairy equipment like this is available regularly at auctions, but not often in southern Florida. Pic: ©GettyImages/BrianAJackson

New Mill Capital hosts fluid milk jug plant auction in Florida

By Beth Newhart

Machinery from a high volume fluid milk jug plant in southern Florida is up for auction this week, including milk silos, homogenizers and processors. Auctioneers New Mill Capital will oversee the online sale, open to all global customers.

The new system eliminates costly, error-prone manual work. Pic: ©GettyImages/seraficus

Dutch cheesemaker grows with Infor M3 software

By Beth Newhart

Rouveen Kaasspecialiteiten has partnered with software company Infor to improve its cheese quality, tracking and tracing as well as build out production capabilities.

Local officials and members of partner groups involved with the facility in St. Johns, which will create at least 250 new jobs..

$470m cheese and whey facility coming to St. John’s, Mich.

By Beth Newhart

St. Johns, Michigan, has been selected as the site of a new large-scale cheese and whey facility, Glanbia Nutritionals, Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) and Select Milk Producers Inc. (Select) said in a joint announcement.

TRU Aseptics took over Wild/ADM's aseptic facility in Beloit, Wisconsin, last year.

TRU Aseptics receives Grade “A” Dairy license

By Mary Ellen Shoup

TRU Aseptics (TRU), a processor and contract manufacturer of low acid products, has been approved as a Grade “A” Dairy Manufacturer and Interstate Milk Shipper by the state of Wisconsin Dairy Inspection program.

Dairy Pack machines will still carry the product name after the takeover by Synerlink

Synerlink takes over Dairy Pack

By Jim Cornall

French packaging company, Synerlink, a division of the US Barry-Wehmiller company, has acquired the Spanish machine designer and manufacturer Dairy Pack.

GEA has a contract to supply equipment for Danone's new plant in the Netherlands.

GEA to equip new Danone production plant

By Jim Cornall

GEA has received a major order from Danone to equip a new state-of-the-art facility for its international Early Life Nutrition brands with several production lines.

An example of flexible packaging, which is growing in popularity, from Jelly Belly.

Pack Expo 2015

Consumer trends changing the world of packaging

By Hal Conick

Consumer trends are actively changing how food items are packaged, according to a report released at this year’s Pack Expo Las Vegas and Pharma Expo 2015.

Brent Bartson demonstrates use of the UR3 to DairyReporter.

DISPATCHES FROM IDFA INTERNATIONAL DAIRY SHOW

Collaborative robot reaches out to dairy industry

By Hal Conick

Universal Robots has reached out to dairy manufacturers at this year’s International Dairy Show in Chicago with its line of collaborative robots.