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If you’re a manufacturer and you bring a product to a retail buyer in an oversized package that doesn’t fit the shelf, well…expect grief. In an era based on category management discipline, retailers are no longer so tolerant of odd sizes that can’t be easily put on the shelf.

All manufacturing facilities should be kept clean at all times for best operation. Food and beverage plants must go further. Cleanliness is not just nice to have. It can literally be a matter of life and death for both customer and company.

Nationalism (a.k.a. protectionism) is threatening our global economy! Or so the general media would have us believe.

Shoppers are shifting their packaging preferences from "more convenient" to "less wasteful."

Convenience, safety, variety and quality help distinguish packaged fresh produce from bulk offerings.

Rising petroleum and commodities prices often mean using less packaging material, which in turn demands more flexibility and accuracy in case packing systems.

Linings containing BPA are drawing unwelcome attention, but metal containers continue to make strides in both design and function.

My June column discussed Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and its importance. This month I want to address one of major causes of low OEE.

For retail buyers and category managers, the packaging of a new product is one of many factors that have to be considered, but one that has special meaning: It’s the attribute that projects the product’s message. And if it doesn’t do that effectively, the product probably won’t fly.

Six years ago, we launched our "Canned Beer Apocalypse" with a table-top machine (and a very optimistic title) that sealed one can of beer at a time.