Wayne Labs

Wayne Labs has more than 30 years of editorial experience in industrial automation. He served as senior technical editor for I&CS/Control Solutions magazine for 18 years where he covered software, control system hardware and sensors/transmitters. Labs ran his own consulting business and contributed feature articles to Electronic Design, Control, Control Design, Industrial Networking and Food Engineering magazines. Before joining Food Engineering, he served as a senior technical editor for Omega Engineering Inc. Labs also worked in wireless systems and served as a field engineer for GE’s Mobile Communications Division and as a systems engineer for Bucks County Emergency Services. In addition to writing technical feature articles, Wayne covers FE’s Engineering R&D section.

COVID-19 has provided automation suppliers with the expertise to help food processors survive the pandemic

Processors are taking a second look at robotics and analytics to fill in the gaps when key employees take time due to coronavirus

Wayne Labs

January 4, 2021

It took a pandemic for us to take seriously something we take for granted: We all rely on one another.

Engineering R&D

Real-time water quality metrics help beverage processors guard their most important resource

Whether it's "mountain spring water" or tap water, it's the most important ingredient in your beverage—so keep its quality consistent in real time

Wayne Labs

December 22, 2020

Whether you obtain your incoming water from your local municipality, the nearby river or a natural mountain spring—or a mix of these sources—consistent taste and quality of water is your most important ingredient as a brewer or bottle packer.

Manufacturing News

Supply chain lessons learned from COVID-19

A Resilience360 report explores supply chain challenges during the pandemic

Wayne Labs

December 18, 2020

A new study from Resilience360 indicates that COVID-19 has revealed weak links in the supply chain, and they may not be going away any time soon.

People News

JBT announces two C-level appointments

The appointments include president and CEO plus executive vice president and CFO

Wayne Labs

December 15, 2020

Since the recent passing of CEO Tom Giacomini, JBT Corporation had asked Brian Deck to fill in as interim president and CEO. On December 14^th, JBT made it official. Deck has been appointed president and chief executive officer. He has also been elected to the Board of Directors. Deck has served as interim president and CEO of JBT since June 2020 and previously served as the Company’s chief financial officer since 2014.

Optical sortation

Tackling ergot contamination in feed

Ergot infection in crops poisons animals, but ergot can be weeded out of seed products by optical sortation

Wayne Labs

December 14, 2020

The problem with an ergot infestation in a seed/grass crop is that it looks like grain-except for the color, which is much darker. If grain farming is your way of life, you’re extremely familiar with ergot and the aflatoxins it produces, which can make animals or humans sick if they consume too much of it.

Innovation Awards

Plant-based innovation takes honors at Fi Europe

Awards were given virtually in two categories: The Food ingredients Europe Innovation Awards and the Startup Innovation Challenge

Wayne Labs

December 3, 2020

Informa Markets, show organizer of Fi Europe CONNECT, announced the winners of this year’s Innovation Awards and the Startup Innovation Challenge for their groundbreaking offerings during virtual award ceremonies held on December first and second.

Engineering R&D

Food-grade compostable packaging survives microwaves, ovens and freezing but doesn't clutter the earth

Made from pulp, this microwaveable and oven-safe material comes from renewables and is compostable, leaving no plastic behind forever

Wayne Labs

December 1, 2020

With a new process invention, a startup named W-Cycle has not only created a patented replacement for plastic, but a material that is totally compostable—from the earth and back to the earth.

Food Automation & Manufacturing Conference (FA&M)

FA&M Recap

The 2020 Food Automation & Manufacturing Conference

Virtual conference provides food and beverage processors with insights from industry experts

November 30, 2020

With in-person gatherings still not possible, the 2020 Food Automation & Manufacturing conference shifted to a virtual platform for the first time. Although it was a different format, one thing stayed the same: A number of industry experts provided attendees with valuable insights on topics ranging from successful project management to the engineering challenges of alternative meat, and almost everything in between.

Manufacturing News

Regenerative agriculture initiative seeks worldwide participation

The group supports agribusinesses in transitioning to practices that increase soil health, enhance biodiversity, sequester carbon and improve water management

Wayne Labs

November 25, 2020

Global regenerative agriculture initiative regenagri supports farms and organizations that wish to transition to holistic farming techniques.