Richmond, B.C. (August 11, 2026) — With wildfire activity intensifying across British Columbia, WorkSafeBC is reminding employers to review their emergency evacuation plans and prepare for situations where workers may need to evacuate a workplace. When local emergencies occur, including wildfires, employers should be prepared to support the safe evacuation of workers. 

“Employers should understand the risks that may impact their workplaces and ensure they have appropriate emergency procedures in place,” says Todd McDonald, Head of Prevention Services at WorkSafeBC. “Emergencies and disasters can happen any time and without warning. The more prepared you are for them, the better you’ll be able to respond.”  

Preparing for an evacuation 

• Identify when workers may need to evacuate. Consider wildfires and other emergencies that could affect the workplace, including risks specific to the location. 

• Have clear evacuation routes. Identify primary and alternate routes to safely leave the worksite and make sure exits are clearly marked, well-lit and free of obstructions.  

• Have a way to alert workers. Make sure workers know how they will be notified if they need to evacuate and what an evacuation alert or order means. 

• Assign responsibilities. Make sure workers know who is coordinating the evacuation and who will help others get to safety.

• Plan for shutting down equipment and work processes. Identify what may need to be shut down, how it can be done safely, and who is responsible. Consider materials or processes that could become hazardous when exposed to fire. However, workers should not delay evacuation to shut down equipment or complete other tasks when there is an immediate threat to their safety.

• Plan for everyone. Consider the needs of workers, visitors and others who may need assistance during an evacuation, including people with disabilities and those who do not speak English. 

• Keep workers informed and prepared. Review the plan with workers, provide training and hold evacuation drills at least once a year. Discuss emergency plans seasonally or when the potential for an emergency increases. 

Protecting workers from wildfire smoke 

Wildfire smoke can affect workers even when a fire is not close to the workplace. Employers should monitor local air quality and adjust work as conditions change. This may include relocating or rescheduling work, reducing strenuous activity and taking steps to improve indoor air quality. 

WorkSafeBC has resources to help employers prepare for wildfire season, including information on emergency planning and response, emergency evacuation planning and wildfire smoke.

Milwaukee, WI – PFlow Industries, the pioneer in vertical reciprocating conveyor (VRC) technology, highlights its DeckLock™ Safety System, which provides critical protection in material lifting environments. The DeckLock system is designed to eliminate accidents caused by carriage overload, protecting workers, valuable materials, and machinery while supporting efficient workflow for industrial users.

Built for maximum reliability, DeckLocks automatically extend at critical upper levels to provide added prevention against unintended or uncontrolled carriage descent, while keeping the deck level with the floor for safe forklift loading and unloading. This exclusive solution is available in gate-operated mechanical, pneumatic, and electric versions, each engineered for seamless integration with PFlow VRC solutions. When the carriage reaches an upper level, the DeckLocks engage automatically before the gate opens and retract when it closes—delivering added safety exactly when it matters most.

Electrical DeckLocks utilize a gate-mounted electrical switch paired with an electric actuator, column-mounted for all 2- and 4-post mechanical VRCs. They may be controlled with or without a PLC (programmable logic controller), and they feature adjustable limit switches, a removable pivot pin for maintenance, and terminal strips for pre-wiring. Electrical DeckLocks are suitable for applications with non-PFlow gates or multiple gates per floor level, with the exception of limited outdoor environments.

Pneumatic DeckLocks combine electrical solenoid valves with a pneumatic actuator cylinder. Available for all 2- and 4-post mechanical VRCs, pneumatic versions are compatible with limited outdoor applications above 32°F and are approved for explosion-proof environments. Mechanical DeckLocks employ a gate-mounted cable mechanism that directly actuates the lock cam, and are ideal for 2-post VRCs with single gates per floor level.

The DeckLock Safety System is optional, providing an extra layer of security beyond the substantial safety measures built into every PFlow VRC. While mechanical VRCs rely on spring-set brakes sized to deliver at least 150% of maximum capacity, wear or insufficient maintenance can diminish effectiveness. Additionally, inadvertent overload has the potential to lead to dangerous carriage descent and brake slippage. The patented DeckLock design provides critical, exclusive protection under these overload and brake-wear conditions, delivering confidence and security to a variety of operations.

For more information, visit https://www.pflow.com/safety-gates/decklock/.

Herndon, Va.; August 6, 2026 — With sustainability now shaping equipment specifications, material selection, and operational decisions across packaging and processing, PACK EXPO International 2026 will give manufacturers a one-stop destination to compare sustainable packaging technologies, learn from experts, and find solutions that support measurable environmental and business goals. The need is clear: more than 82% of end users say they are actively engaged in sustainability adoption, according to 2026 The Ripple Effect: CPG Sustainability and the New OEM Spec Sheet, a new report from PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies.

“Manufacturers have moved beyond asking whether sustainability matters; they are now determining which investments can deliver measurable environmental and operational results,” says Jim Pittas, president and CEO of PMMI. “That’s why PACK EXPO International 2026 gives them one place to compare technologies in operation, learn from experts, and identify practical solutions for their businesses.”

Taking place Oct. 18-21 at McCormick Place in Chicago, PACK EXPO International 2026 will feature 2,600 exhibitors and 48,000 attendees from 40+ vertical markets. As the largest and most influential packaging and processing trade show in North America, the event gives attendees unmatched access to machinery, materials, automation, and sustainability-focused solutions in action.

Key sustainability-focused destinations and tools at PACK EXPO International 2026 include:

Innovation Stages — Three stages will feature fast-paced, 30-minute sessions fromled by top suppliers and technical experts, offering practical insights into the latest advances in packaging machinery, materials, automation, digital tools, and real-world applications. Sustainability-focused sessions include:

• Sustainable Load Stability: Reducing Plastic Without Sacrificing Performance
• Packaging Sustainability Myth Busters: Beliefs that Brands Still Get Wrong
• Navigating EPR: Source Reduction Strategies and the Levers Brand Owners Can Pull in Flexible Packaging
• Flexible Packaging That WOWs Consumers: Material That Excites, Surprises, and Delights

Sustainability Central — Presented by Packaging World and sponsored by EFP, LLC, this dedicated education hub will feature expert-led presentations, case studies, and trends shaping sustainable packaging. Attendees will learn how material choices, system design, and operational changes can reduce environmental impact while supporting business goals.

Thought leaders and innovators will share strategies to help attendees improve recyclability, advance circularity, reduce environmental impact, and stay ahead of customer and regulatory demands. Sessions include:

• Design for Recyclability is Required by Law. Are You Ready?
• Advancing the Circular Economy: How Collaboration Delivers Value
• Protect the Product, Reduce the Footprint
• 2026: The Year EPR Stopped Being Optional

Reusable Packaging Learning Center, sponsored by the Reusable Packaging Association (RPA) — This educational stage gives attendees a practical look at how reusable packaging systems are being implemented across supply chains. Session topics include the State of the Industry 2026, technology AI & leveraging Data, public policy and retail automation.

Reusable Packaging Pavilion, sponsored by the Reusable Packaging Association (RPA) — Here, show attendees can explore reusable packaging systems from members of RPA and uncover solutions designed to reduce waste, improve durability, streamline logistics, and deliver measurable supply chain cost savings.

Sustainability Solutions Finder — This online tool helps attendees locate vetted PACK EXPO Green Exhibitors that offer eco-friendly materials, components, machinery, and services. Attendees can search by sustainability attribute, package type, or solution category.

Showcase of Packaging Innovations®, sponsored by Smurfit Westrock —This special show-floor display features award-winning packaging designs from around the world, including formats that push the boundaries of sustainability, recyclability, and material efficiency.

In addition, Dow is the official sustainability partner and sponsor of show-floor recycling. Dual-stream recycling and trash bins will be placed throughout every exhibit hall.

“Achieving sustainability goals requires more than a single material or technology; it takes a systems-level approach,” Pittas says. “PACK EXPO International gives manufacturers the opportunity to see how packaging design, equipment, reusable systems, and operational improvements can work together to reduce environmental impact while strengthening performance and long-term competitiveness.”

No other event delivers hands-on experience on this scale — with more technology, machines in motion, suppliers on-site, and access to expertise than anywhere else. PACK EXPO International is the industry’s most efficient platform to evaluate equipment, identify emerging trends, and make informed investment decisions — all in one place.

Learn more about sustainable packaging and processing solutions at PACK EXPO International 2026 and register today at www.packexpointernational.com.

August 5, 2026 – WECO introduces the Multiscan MXV-Bulk X-ray inspection system for in-shell nut applications. The system analyzes density differences inside each nut to identify hidden quality defects and insufficient kernel fill, as well as dense foreign material (FM). By removing these from the product stream, the MXV-Bulk helps processors achieve higher product grades, increase per-pound value and reduce the need for manual inspection.

“Nut processors have traditionally relied on optical inspection methods that cannot tell them what is happening inside the shell. While X-ray is broadly used in food processing, this is the first system of its kind to evaluate the internal quality of in-shell nuts in North America,” said Nick Lightfoot, Vice President at WECO. “With the MXV-Bulk, we’ve seen customers nearly eliminate the need for end-of-line manual inspection while raising their average product grade several points. When processors are selling on kernel yield, that combination can produce a meaningful improvement to the bottom line.”

Ideal for inspecting pecans, walnuts, pistachios, peanuts and other nuts, the MXV-Bulk identifies and rejects a wide variety of product defects that show no obvious external signs including empty shells, insect damage and internal mold. It also removes FM including stones, glass, ceramics and embedded metal.

Nuts enter the system on a belt designed to stabilize and distribute product evenly for consistent scanning. The MXV-Bulk captures and analyzes images of each object as it passes through the inspection zone. When it identifies out-of-tolerance product or FM, it signals the air valves to eject the unwanted material.

MXV-Bulk complements optical sorting, aspiration and other separation methods on the line. Optical sorters identify external characteristics such as color, size, shape and surface condition, while aspiration separates material based primarily on weight and aerodynamic properties. X-ray inspection adds information about internal density, helping processors build a more complete quality-control strategy.

Designed for straightforward operation, the MXV-Bulk does not require a highly specialized operator to maintain consistent results. Operators set the density threshold directly on the touchscreen, defining the tolerance that determines how fully a nut must be filled to be accepted. The system can also evaluate fill within specific areas of each nut, allowing inspection to be configured for differences among varieties and quality targets.

MXV-Bulk was developed through close collaboration between WECO and Multiscan Technologies, both Duravant operating companies, by combining Multiscan’s X-ray technology with WECO’s nut-processing expertise. WECO leads Multiscan’s commercial and support activities in the Americas, while Multiscan serves as WECO’s lead in the EMIA region and beyond.

MXV-Bulk is available for sale worldwide and for lease in the United States, Mexico and Canada. WECO supports processors with installation and startup services, preventive maintenance, technology upgrades and 24/7 emergency assistance to help sustain inspection performance and production uptime throughout the life of the equipment.