Mobile, AL – May 29, 2025 – , a leading industrial automation system integrator and a subsidiary of global EPC firm , today announced that Tim Shope has joined the Team as Controls and Automation Pulp and Paper Industry Leader.

Shope will lead efforts to strengthen and expand Hargrove Controls & Automation’s presence and offerings within the pulp and paper industry, which currently include process upgrades, feasibility studies, environmental studies, paper machine upgrades, and advanced process simulation.

Shope brings a wide range of experience to Hargrove. His strengths include a deep understanding of operational technology, leadership and management, strong industry relationships, and experience as both a vendor and an end-user of automation solutions.

"I'm thrilled to lead the Hargrove automation team in an industry that has been a cornerstone of my career,” said Shope. “I look forward to applying my experience to help our clients develop operational and economic solutions that focus on future operational excellence."

With a strategic vision for the pulp and paper industry, Shope recognizes shifts reshaping the sector. As mills adapt to changing customer demands, is becoming increasingly critical for driving operational efficiency and staying competitive.  Shope aims to position Hargrove as the go-to partner for larger companies in the industry. “There’s no better time to be in this field. Watching this industry evolve—from the processes of the early 1990s to what we can achieve now with a tap of your phone—it’s unbelievable,” said Shope. “I couldn’t ask for a better place to be than at Hargrove, where we are deeply engaged with clients and continually exploring the future of the industry.”

“We’re excited to welcome Tim to our Team,” said Josh Payne P.E., division leader of Hargrove Controls & Automation. “His deep understanding of both end-user and vendor perspectives makes him a valuable asset. We look forward to seeing how his leadership enables our clients to optimize operations, improve efficiency, and stay ahead of their competition.”

Regina, Saskatchewan, May 30, 2025 – (FCC) has committed to invest $2 billion by 2030 to advance agtech innovation in Canada’s agriculture and food industry. This will direct more investment into innovative devices, instrumentation, research, and methodologies designed to improve efficiency, productivity, and sustainability.

The funds will come from the organization’s new investment arm, FCC Capital, a group offering capital solutions that catalyze the broader investing ecosystem and bolster growth. Launched in 2024, FCC Capital delivers an expanded offering of capital solutions to companies across the entire ag and food value chain, including investment funds and direct equity capital dispersed from pre-seed stage to growth-driven late-stage companies. In its inaugural year, it built a foundation by closing nine direct investment deals totaling $170 million, investing in three new funds, and adding a new business accelerator to its portfolio.

“Canada’s economic future requires an agriculture and food industry leading the world in innovation and productivity. However, until now, investment dollars have been scarce and have not scaled to meet the increasingly sophisticated needs of the sector. Through this investment, FCC is delivering on its commitment to be a catalyst and support innovation and productivity in one of Canada’s most important and investable sectors,” says Justine Hendricks, FCC president and CEO.

This announcement comes at a time when various sources are showing that annual venture capital investment into Canada’s agtech sector is lagging. In 2023, Canada’s venture capital investments in the sector were cited at approximately $270 million, 10 times below the United States when adjusted for population. This low level of investment puts Canada at a strategic disadvantage. At the same time, Japan and the European Union have been demonstrating increased investments in agtech.

The formal announcement was made by Darren Baccus, executive vice-president, agri-food, alliances and FCC Capital, during the Invest Canada 2025 Conference, an event run by the Canada Venture Capital and Private Equity Association. “With this $2 billion allocation, FCC will continue its long history of supporting and partnering with the Canadian ag and food industry to offer greater security and sustainability in a highly competitive global market,” said Baccus. “At FCC, we’re uniquely positioned to provide catalytic capital and work with stakeholders to source compelling investment opportunities. We are confident that our investment commitment to the industry will ‘crowd in’ capital to amplify the economic impact.”

Regina, SK, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Protein Industries Canada announced an additional $15 million in funding provided by the Government of Canada. Focused on two key streams—Genomics and Artificial Intelligence—this new investment will help strengthen Canada’s agriculture sector and domestic food supply chain by bringing new tools to plant-breeders, farmers, ingredient processors and food manufacturers.

By advancing genomics and AI technologies, these programs will enable farmers and companies across Canada’s agrifood sector to build a more resilient, efficient and sustainable food system. This full value-chain approach will expand the range of Canadian-made ingredient options while also creating new economic opportunities—bringing the country closer to realizing its $25 billion agrifood growth potential.

“Investing in genomics and artificial intelligence is investing in our future, helping build a more prosperous and competitive Canada,” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions. “Administered by the Protein Industries Cluster, this new funding will support innovative solutions that will contribute to a more resilient, productive and sustainable agri-food sector.”

Through the new five-year Genomics Stream, Protein Industries Canada will invest $7 million into the commercialization of new and improved broad-acre crop varieties, with a focus on pulse and cereal crops. Projects under the stream will apply genomic tools in plant breeding and variety development to meet industry demand, aligning innovation across the value-chain, from growers to ingredient manufacturers. The additional $8 million into artificial intelligence programming will boost Protein Industries Canada’s current investment under the Government of Canada’s Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy. Projects that will be considered may involve: the development of tools that accelerate seed genetic work; supply chain optimization; on-farm information gathering; quality assurance and food safety protocols; and ingredient and food formulation.

“This new investment will deliver value across the entire supply chain, starting with enhanced genetics that improve crop functionality and provide farmers with more resilient, high-performing options,” CEO of Protein Industries Canada Robert Hunter said. “At the same time, our investment into artificial intelligence will support the development of tools that boost on-farm productivity and sustainability. Together, these advancements—combined with our full value-chain approach—will strengthen Canada’s position as a global supplier of nutritious, functional plant-based food, feed and ingredients, while contributing to our goal of building a $25 billion industry for Canada.”

Companies interested in applying to either program stream are asked to visit Protein Industries Canada’s website. Consortiums who may be eligible for the Genomics program can find more information at , while companies interested in the AI program should visit .

Both the Genomics and Artificial Intelligence Streams are open on a continual intake basis. Interested companies are asked to fill out the forms at the bottom of each the Technology and Artificial Intelligence pages. If a project meets initial eligibility requirements, Protein Industries Canada’s Project team will reach out to schedule a preliminary meeting. This first meeting must be held prior to an EOI being submitted. EOIs will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, allowing successful submissions to move to the next step in the process in a timely manner.

Protein Industries Canada is one of Canada’s five Global Innovation Clusters. Protein Industries Canada and its members are working to embrace the $25 billion opportunity presented by Canada’s plant-based ingredient manufacturing, food processing and feed sectors. Through investments into innovative projects, Protein Industries Canada is adding value to, and creating new markets for, Canadian crops, generating local jobs and supporting new economic development in locations across Canada.

Orion, MI – MAY 29, 2025 – Applied Manufacturing Technologies (AMT), a FANUC Level V Authorized System Integrator and North America’s leader in robotics and automation engineering, specializing in advanced material handling, end-of-line solutions, on-demand engineering services, and cutting-edge autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for manufacturing, warehousing and logistics, today introduced a plug-and-play collaborative palletizing solution built around the FANUC CRX-30iA robot. The system is designed to solve common labor, safety, and productivity challenges with fast deployment, intuitive operation, and minimal floor space requirements.

Built for flexibility and ease of use, the cobot palletizing solution allows manufacturers to increase throughput, reduce ergonomic risks, and maintain uptime, even with lean staffing.  Unlike off-the-shelf systems, AMT’s solution features a custom-developed user interface (UI) that simplifies setup and empowers end users to create and modify palletizing patterns independently.

“Ease of use was our top priority,” said Ben Kurth, Director of Engineering at AMT. “Users can quickly input case dimensions, select a pallet pattern, and begin operation: no coding or specialized training needed. That flexibility is a game changer for dynamic production environments.”

With a 30 kg payload, 1,889 mm reach, and IP67 rating, the FANUC CRX-30iA is an industrial-grade robot designed for continuous operation in demanding environments. As a power- and force-limited cobot, it can safely work in close proximity to people without the need for fencing, freeing up valuable floor space and eliminating the costs and complexity of traditional industrial robot cells.

“Cobot technology finally gives manufacturers a way to automate palletizing in places where industrial robots simply won’t fit,” said Kurth. “This system is ideal for high-mix, low-volume production or facilities with tight space constraints.”

Starting at $120K, AMT’s palletizing solution typically delivers return on investment in under one year through productivity gains, injury prevention, and operational flexibility.  The system is designed to be easily moved between lines, allowing operators to make quick position adjustments and resume palletizing within minutes.

Key advantages include:

• Collaborative safety: Built-in sensors monitor joint torque and amperage to detect human contact and stop safely
• Custom configuration: Tailored integration with existing warehouse management systems (WMS) and plant networks
• Operator independence: No engineering support needed to reconfigure for new products or pallet patterns
• Space efficiency: Compact, mobile footprint fits easily into existing lines
• Industry flexibility: Ideal for packaging operations in food & beverage, logistics, pharmaceuticals, and more
• Optimized for case handling: Built for precise, consistent box stacking and adaptable to different case sizes and patterns

“Cobots are ideal for repetitive, high-precision tasks like case handling and palletizing,” said Craig Salvalaggio, President of AMT. “We’ve built a system that delivers the speed, safety, and flexibility today’s manufacturers need to stay competitive—especially as they face ongoing labor shortages and ergonomic risks on the plant floor.”

To learn more about AMT’s cobot palletizing solution, explore the technical overview, watch the live demo, or download the detailed brochure.