As the manufacturing industry faces a critical skills shortage, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting the addition of 3.1 million jobs in maintenance and repair occupations by 2031, PACK EXPO International 2024 is set to play a pivotal role in addressing this challenge. Scheduled for Nov. 3–6 at McCormick Place, Chicago, the event will feature comprehensive programs designed to engage and inspire the next generation of talent in the packaging and processing sectors.

Student-Focused Initiatives at PACK EXPO International 2024

Recognizing the acute need to attract and retain a skilled workforce, PACK EXPO International, produced by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, prioritizes educational outreach to students. The event will feature a variety of activities aimed at introducing high school and college students to opportunities within the industry:

Girl Scout Event: New to the show,local Chicago Girl Scout Troops will receive credit for their Sustainable Packaging Patch. Scouts will meet in the Student Lounge on Sunday, Nov. 3, at 11:00 a.m. for a hands-on project focusing on sustainability. Lunch will be provided followed by a panel and show floor tour from industry professionals.

Silent Auction: Foundation Fundraiser: New to the show, the Silent Auction will take place Sunday through Wednesday. Notable items up for bid include accommodations at premier Chicago-area hotels, including the Langham, Sheraton Grand Riverwalk, LondonHouse, Loews, and the InterContinental Magnificent Mile. In addition, premium wine and spirits, gift cards, and more are available. All bidding will occur virtually, and items will be displayed on the Grand Concourse, Level 2.5. Proceeds will benefit the PMMI Foundation.

PACK Challenge: Returning for its second year, the PACK Challenge, sponsored by PepsiCo, invites six high school teams to participate in a machine-building competition. Competitors will demonstrate their skills by constructing full-scale material-handling machines capable of denesting and orientating paper coffee cups. Participating schools are Argo Community High School, Crete Monee High School, Elk Grove High School, Legacy Academy/Becker High School Coalition, Rich Township High School, and Waterford Union High School. This event will take place in the West Hall Lobby at Booth W-16005.

Future Innovators Robotics Showcase: In this event, sponsored by Schneider Electric, attendees will be able to witness cutting-edge robotics from high school teams across the country. These students will showcase their design, engineering, and troubleshooting prowess in the West Hall at Booth W-21052.

Amazing Packaging Race: Sponsored by Emerson, this dynamic competition involves college and university students from across North America who will navigate the expo floor, engaging in tasks set by participating exhibitors. This event highlights student creativity and fosters teamwork and practical industry engagement.

Students PACK the EXPO: On Nov. 5, PMMI will host local area students from Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin for a comprehensive expo experience. Activities will include a scavenger hunt, student tours, and a lunch-and-learn session to deepen their understanding of the industry.

Student Tours: PMMI staff will conduct tours of the show floor daily at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Tours start at the PMMI U/PMMI Foundation Booth at W-20022 (West Hall). Interested students should meet at the PMMI U Booth 10 minutes prior to the starting time. No pre-registration is required.

Networking and Professional Development

Further enhancing the student experience, PACK EXPO International will offer dedicated spaces for networking and professional development:

PMMI U/ Workforce Development Pavilion: PACK EXPO International serves as the ultimate resource hub for strengthening the existing workforce and nurturing the future workforce. Colleges and universities will showcase their mechatronics and packaging and processing programs in the West Hall, while companies will have the opportunity to engage with students interested in pursuing careers in the industry. The list of participating schools include:

California Polytechnic State University

Clemson University

Hennepin Technical College

Illinois Institute of Technology

Indiana State University

Michigan State University

Northwood Technical College

Purdue University

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rutgers University

San Jose State University

Toronto Metropolitan University

Tuskegee University

University of Florida

University of Wisconsin – Stout

Virginia Tech

Networking Events: The Packaging & Processing Women’s Leadership Network (PPWLN) will host events to connect aspiring professionals with industry experts, providing mentorship and career advancement platforms.

Student Lounge: PMMI HR professionals will conduct workshops focused on interview best practices and resume writing, equipping students with essential tools to enter the workforce.

“These initiatives reflect our commitment to bridging the skills gap in the packaging and processing industries,” says Laura Thompson, vice president, trade shows, PMMI. “By connecting students with industry leaders and exposing them to real-world challenges and solutions at PACK EXPO International, we are not only addressing immediate workforce needs but also investing in the future of our industries.”

For complete details on student activities at the show, visit packexpointernational.com/education/student-opportunities

REGINA, Saskatchewan, Aug. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Above Food Ingredients Inc. (Nasdaq: ABVE, ABVEW) (“Above Food” or the “Company”), an innovative food company leveraging its vertically integrated supply chain to deliver differentiated ingredients and consumer products, today announced additional details related to its expanded pet food ingredients business in connection with its recent acquisition of the specialty crop food ingredient division (the “Assets”) of Montana-based The Redwood Group, LLC (“TRG”). This strategic acquisition significantly enhances Above Food's presence in the rapidly growing plant-based pet food market, positioning the Company to capitalize on emerging trends and meet increasing consumer demand for high-quality, plant-based pet nutrition.

“This acquisition significantly enhances our position in the rapidly growing plant-based pet food market, expanding our total pet food business to approximately US$110M, or 25% of our combined revenues on a proforma basis”, said Lionel Kambeitz, Founder, President, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman of Above Food. “Furthermore, our seed-to-fork platform uniquely positions us to serve the evolving needs of the plant-based pet food industry, previously demonstrated by delivering a 13% organic CAGR in our legacy pet food business since 2022. By controlling every step from seed selection and farming to ingredient processing and formulation, we offer unparalleled traceability, quality control, and customization capabilities. This vertical integration allows us to develop innovative, nutritious plant-based ingredients specifically tailored for pet food applications, meeting the growing demand for high-quality, sustainable pet nutrition solutions. As pet parents increasingly seek transparent, plant-based options for their pet companions, Above Food's comprehensive approach enables us to be an invaluable partner to leading global pet food manufacturers. We can rapidly respond to market trends, ensure consistent supply of premium ingredients, and support our partners in developing differentiated products.”

Strategic Importance of Leadership in Pet Food Market

The pet food industry represents a substantial and growing opportunity for Above Food, driven by several key factors:

• Large and Growing Market: The US$26 billion global plant-based pet food market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9% through 2032, according to Future Market Insights. This growth is outpacing the overall pet food market, indicating a strong shift towards consumers adopting plant-based protein formulations for their pets.
• Expanding Pet Ownership: 66% of US households own a pet, according to the American Pet Products Association. The US pet population has been consistently growing at 1-2% annually from 2013-2022, as reported by Euromonitor. This trend is expected to continue, creating a steadily expanding customer base for pet food products.
• Pet Humanization Trend: According to Packaged Facts, 92-96% of US pet owners view their pets as family members. This “humanization” of pets has been a strong long-term trend for over a decade, transforming pet owners into “pet parents” who prioritize their pets' well-being and are willing to invest in premium nutrition options.
• Health and Nutrition Focus: Mirroring trends in human nutrition, pet parents are increasingly seeking healthier, higher-quality food options for their pets. There's a growing demand for fresh, natural, and organic plant-based food products with transparently sourced ingredients. This trend has been further accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with 48% of pet parents reporting feeling closer to their pets due to the pandemic, according to an American Pet Products Association's Pulse Study.
• Plant-Based Innovation: The plant-based food movement is driving innovation in pet food, with ingredients like chickpeas and flaxseed becoming increasingly popular alternatives to traditional soy, corn, and wheat proteins. This shift opens up new opportunities for differentiated ingredient suppliers like Above Food, now North America’s largest chickpea manufacturer following the acquisition of TRG, to become valuable innovation partners with manufacturers in developing novel, nutritious plant-based pet food formulations.
• Market Resilience: The pet category has historically shown resilience during economic downturns, as consumers continue to prioritize spending on their pets even when tightening budgets in other areas. This resilience was demonstrated during both the financial crisis in 2008 and the COVID-19 pandemic when the pet industry experienced positive growth despite a reduced appetite for consumer spending.

American Plant Maintenance (APM Steam), a leading provider of steam systems maintenance services, highlights its innovative HVAC insulation services, designed to provide significant energy savings and enhanced operational efficiency for food manufacturing facilities. APM Steam’s team of experts can quickly assess insulation opportunities, and work directly with top insulation manufacturers in the country to capture significant energy savings.

The Heat Loss Study offered by APM Steam includes a detailed site walk and thorough review of hot water, steam, and chilled water plants and distribution systems. An engineering team delivers a full review of findings, offering actionable recommendations to repair faulty insulation or add insulation where energy losses are significant. Clients receive a summary report with a detailed scope of work and pricing. APM Steam also manages utility incentives, reducing project costs whenever applicable.

APM Steam provides specialized insulation for steam traps, valves, pipes, and other components throughout hot water and steam systems. This service ensures a lasting payback, positively impacting customers' bottom lines by significantly reducing energy losses. The specialized cold-water insulation offered by APM Steam retains temperatures, lowers energy losses, minimizes pipe sweating, ensuring efficient system operation and reduced maintenance costs.

In addition, APM Steam handles utility incentive applications from start to finish, ensuring maximum funding from local utility companies, further reducing the cost of insulation projects. The insulation jackets provided are high quality, removable, and custom-made in the USA. Typical payback without energy efficiency incentives is only 11 months, helping to reduce operating budgets by eliminating energy losses.

For more information about APM Steam's HVAC insulation services and to schedule a Heat Loss Study, visit https://apmsteam.com/servicesparts/hvac-insulation/.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., August 20, 2024 – Columbus McKinnon Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCO), a leading designer and manufacturer of intelligent motion solutions, products and technologies for material handling, announces two new manual hoists that are made in America with domestic and imported components. New Coffing® LSB-NC lever hoists and LHH-NC hand chain hoists feature hooks and chain made at the Company’s manufacturing facilities in Chattanooga and Lexington, TN, and they are assembled in the Company’s Wadesboro facility located in North Carolina.

“Built on proven technology and decades of engineering expertise, the LSB-NC and LHH-NC are designed to provide the durability and reliability customers have come to expect from the Coffing Hoist name,” said Andre Schon, Senior Global Product Manager. “We’re excited to bring these manual hoists to the market, helping to ensure safe and efficient lifting in applications for construction, maintenance, general industry and more.”

The compact and portable LSB-NC is available in capacities of up to 6 tons. Standard lifts up to 20 ft. are available, and additional lifts are available upon request. The hoist also features a stamped steel housing with a powder-coated finish for corrosion protection and long life. Shipyard hooks are available upon request.

The LHH-NC is available in capacities of up to 5 tons. Standard lifts up to 20 ft. are available, and additional lifts are available upon request. The hoist is also compact, has a low-headroom design and features a Weston-style braking system for positive load control. The hoist body is made of durable cast aluminum and steel. Load limiters are available upon request. Both the LSB-NC and LHH-NC feature a lifetime warranty.

For more information on these new hoists, visit https://www.cmco.com/coffing-hoists.