Plant Focus

Diverse labor pool, automation help operations close workforce gap

Sabettal@bnpmedia.com (Lauren Sabetta) — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

As operations continue to experience labor challenges that impact their ability to hire and retain skilled workers, experts highlight that today’s facility managers are developing a deeper appreciation for a more diverse labor pool.

Storage solutions aid complex SKU dynamics

jacobsenj@bnpmedia.com (Jessica Jacobsen) — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

As beverage warehouses contend with a diverse SKU makeup, operations are turning to storage that can support these demands, including through automation.

Automation adoption surges with food & beverage manufacturers

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 07:00:00 -0500

According to the latest International Federation of Robotics (IFR) World Robotics 2025 U.S. companies in the food and beverage (F&B) sector have been feasting on flexible industrial robots, driving the number of installations up by 21% in 2024.

Contract manufacturers investments support beverage needs

jacobsenj@bnpmedia.com (Jessica Jacobsen) — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

As a Mordor Intelligence report predicts a 7.67% 5-year CAGR for US Beverage Contract Bottling and Filling Market, contract beverage manufacturers continue to invest in their facilities.

Beverage operations turn to software to optimize warehouse

jacobsenj@bnpmedia.com (Jessica Jacobsen) — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

With the complexities of today’s beverage warehouses, software solutions are finding ways to make these operations more optimized.

Female leadership in beverage operations empowers workforces

Sabettal@bnpmedia.com (Lauren Sabetta) — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

When it comes to empowering women within beverage operations, women leaders in the industry highlight the opportunities that help recruit, retain, and further engage this demographic.

Voice pick technology helps warehouses adapt to growing SKU counts

jacobsenj@bnpmedia.com (Jessica Jacobsen) — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Beverage warehouses contending with fixed space and a growing SKU proliferation are adapting and growing by turning to the latest in voice picking technology.

Robotics support beverage brands in operations, warehouse settings

alversonc@bnpmedia.com (Chloe Alverson) — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Robotics technology can be used to aid beverage industry operations as SKU proliferation impacts workflow.

Forklifts help beverage warehouses accommodate expanded portfolios

jacobsenj@bnpmedia.com (Jessica Jacobsen) — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Beverage warehouses rely on forklifts to support a growing SKU portfolio while also maintaining safety within the facility.

Beverage industry veterans launch Pittston Co-Packers

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 14:17:00 -0400

Pittston Co-Packers (PCP), Pittston, Pa., announced the launch of its first high-volume beverage manufacturing facility, providing full-service co-packing solutions. The new 403,000-square-foot facility meets the needs of today’s leading national beverage brands with end-to-end manufacturing capabilities.

Alternative capital solutions can offer reprieve to manufacturing sector

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 10:15:00 -0400

Global demand for automated storage and retrieval systems on the rise

Sabettal@bnpmedia.com (Lauren Sabetta) — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

The use of automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) are leading to substantial productivity gains for manufacturers and distributors, experts note.

Worker retention needs highlight importance of career growth

jacobsenj@bnpmedia.com (Jessica Jacobsen) — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

The complex employment environment has left warehouse and distribution managers challenged to retain quality workers. Although competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits packages are important, experts note they are not enough on their own.

Still beverage demand prompts interest in liquid nitrogen dosing

jacobsenj@bnpmedia.com (Jessica Jacobsen) — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 09:00:00 -0500

Demand for still beverages has beverage-makers turning to dosing technology, like liquid nitrogen, to support this need state. Greg Neville, sales manager of the Americas at Vacuum Barrier Corp. (VBC), shares what’s trends are driving this technology.

Reusable containers help beverage operations support sustainability metrics

jacobsenj@bnpmedia.com (Jessica Jacobsen) — Thu, 26 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500

The durability of modern returnable containers is allowing beverage manufacturers and distributors to support their sustainability goals.

Co-packing helps advance beverage innovation

Sabettal@bnpmedia.com (Lauren Sabetta) — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500

As more consumers seek beverages that support a healthy lifestyle, experts highlight how functional beverage trends are impacting contract manufacturing.

Foaming cleaner latest from Madison Chemical

Fri, 29 Nov 2024 11:00:00 -0500

Madison Chemical has introduced RAF Foaming Cleaner, a moderately alkaline, chlorinated, general purpose foaming cleaner that performs well under all water conditions.

Food grade lubricants protect products, deliver on sustainability

jacobsenj@bnpmedia.com (Jessica Jacobsen) — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500

The phrase “better safe than sorry” might get tossed around by parents reminding their kids to grab a jacket and other day-to-day tasks, but it takes on more serious implications when it comes to the safety of food and beverage products throughout processing and packaging.

ROSS releases FDA-50 Fixed Tank Dual Shaft Mixer

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 11:00:00 -0500

Charles Ross & Son Co. (ROSS) unveiled its latest mixer: the ROSS FDA-50 Fixed Tank Dual Shaft Mixer.

The upside to equipment leasing

Sabettal@bnpmedia.com (Lauren Sabetta) — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400

As the Federal Reserve enacted its first interest rate cuts since the pandemic, an industry expert highlights how leasing enables operations to optimize costs and boost operational efficiency.

Nokia reveals automated inventory counting capability

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Nokia recently launched a true inventory counting capability for Nokia Autonomous Inventory Monitory Service (AIMS).

Vacuum Interrupters introduces new RVI-WL-35774D replacement

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Vacuum Interrupters, a manufacturer of replacement vacuum interrupters, pole assemblies, parts and components for medium-voltage circuit breakers and contactors, introduced the RVI-WL-35774D replacement vacuum interrupter.

Anheuser-Busch invests $16M in Los Angeles brewery

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 12:30:00 -0400

Anheuser-Busch, St. Louis, announced a new $16 million investment in its Los Angeles brewery. The Los Angeles brewery has played a crucial role in the $2.6 billion capital investments the brewer has made in California, to date.

Automation, data collection make robotics more appealing to beverage warehouses

jacobsenj@bnpmedia.com (Jessica Jacobsen) — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400

When it comes to beverage operations, the incorporation of automation is laying the ground work to make a case for implementation of robotics.

Sidel launches Qual-IS, an integrated quality control solution

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Qual-IS is the latest unique solution by Sidel aimed to merge all activities related to quality control in a digitally, intelligent and integrated way.

Voice picking technology brings efficiency to fast-paced beverage operations

Sabettal@bnpmedia.com (Lauren Sabetta) — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400

As operational complexity increases in today’s beverage warehouses, experts highlight how voice picking and guided work solutions are helping to achieve goals in fast-paced environments.

Multi-Conveyor’s accumulation design defeats application challenges

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Multi-Conveyor has built a series of carbon and mild steel constructed modular plastic belt conveyors.

Emerson enhances control system software

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Global technology and software leader Emerson expanded its DeltaV Automation Platform with the DeltaV Version 15 Feature Pack 2 update for its distributed control system (DCS).

KROHNE’s OPTIMASS 1400 offers hygienic solution for beverage industry

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 12:00:00 -0400

KROHNE Inc. highlighted their OPTIMASS 1400 Coriolis mass flowmeter.

High intensity line lights latest from Advanced Illumination

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Provider of innovative lighting solutions for machine vision applications, Advanced Illumination, introduced its LL330 Series of Sealed High Intensity Line Lights.