Baking & Snack - April 2018 - 22
Packaging equipment market to reach $8.8 billion by 2022 Single-source solutions, increased machine versatility and a move to flexible packaging are driving innovation in the CPG packaging sector, according to the "State of the Industry 2017 - US Packaging Machinery" report by PMMI, the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies. The report shows a 4.8% rise in the US packaging machinery market from 2015 to 2016, with a total market value of $9.8 billion. It also forecasts US shipments to grow at a CAGR of 2.4% to $8.8 billion in 2022. "The forecast for the packaging machinery market continues to be robust," said Jorge Izquierdo, vice-president of market development at PMMI. Major growth is anticipated in food and beverage markets, with factors such as population growth, increased demand for automation and machinery optimization, as well as a rise in e-commerce fueling development. Weston Foods embarks on transformation plan Weston Foods, Toronto, is setting forth on an ambitious transformation plan geared toward accelerating the company's change agenda. "Weston Foods experienced a challenging year in 2017, and we recognized the need to accelerate our change agenda," Galen Weston, chairman and CEO, said during a March conference call with analysts. "And as a result, the business has embarked on an ambitious three-year transformation plan, led by our president, Luc Mongeau." Mr. Mongeau described the baking industry as "an exciting category with a healthy growth potential," noting that Weston Foods is well positioned to compete in the category behind its expansive portfolio. But the company did not perform well in 2017, and a change is necessary, he acknowledged. "While improvements have been made in recent years, a challenging 2017 has highlighted the need to accelerate our company's change agenda," he explained. "As a result, in late 2017, we launched a transformation program designed to improve our ability to delight consumers and customers and improve our agility and operational efficiencies. This will better position us for future growth and produce a reliable and growing stream of earnings. Our transformation program will achieve these objectives through three work streams, restructuring of our organization, simplification of our operations and amplification of our growth efforts." Since kicking off the transformation program in November, Weston Foods has seen encouraging results, Mr. Mongeau said. He said the company has moved to a single sales team to better serve customers and has transitioned from four business units into one lean organization. The company also has begun to work on simplifying its work stream. -Eric Schroeder, Food Business News 22 Baking & Snack April 2018 / www.bakingandsnack.com Aspire Food Group, Austin, TX, which specializes in edible insect farming technology, acquired Exo, Brooklyn, NY, maker of cricketbased protein bars. Mondelez International, East Hanover, NJ, announced plans to phase out production later this year at its facilities in the Brazilian cities of Bauru and Piracicaba, shifting production to Curitiba and Vitória de Santo Antão. The American Society of Baking's Robert A. Fischer Award was presented to Ed Heina, vicepresident, sales and marketing, and owner of Cobblestone Ovens, Inc., at BakingTech in Chicago. Archer Daniels Midland Co. opened a flavor and ingredient creation, application, development and customer innovation center at the Biopolis research hub in Singapore. BakeMark, Pico Rivera, CA, a manufacturer and distributor of bakery ingredients, products and supplies, agreed to acquire the Multifoods brand and two manufacturing facilities from CSM Bakery Solutions, Sandy Springs, GA. The facilities are located in Elyria, OH, and Spartanburg, SC. Bunge, White Plains, NY, completed its acquisition of a 70% ownership interest in IOI Loders Croklaan, Channahon, IL. IOI Loders Croklaan manufactures palm and tropical oil products. The Product Inspection Group of Mettler Toledo, Lutz, FL, has moved into a new facility in Pasco County, FL. The 270,000-sq-ft building houses four business units.
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