Casey Laughman

Casey Laughman is the former Editor in Chief of Food Engineering magazine. He has almost two decades’ experience as a writer and editor for mainstream and trade publications. He spent several years as a writer and editor for two news services before becoming the editor of a legal publication and managing editor of a trade magazine that covered the commercial facilities market.

Editor's Note

2019 Construction Survey Highlights Good and Bad in Food & Beverage Industry

Processors are investing in new building and renovations, but labor shortage creates difficulties

Casey Laughman

June 14, 2019

What I like about the Construction Survey is that it gives us some insights that we don't get to see too much in the rest of our reporting throughout the year.

Industry News

Ashworth Bros. announces line of plastic spiral belts

Plastic belts improve air circulation for shorter dwell times

Casey Laughman

June 3, 2019

Ashworth Bros. has announced SpiralPlast, a new line of plastic, low-tension spiral belts.

Site Selection

Prioritizing criteria to select a new food/beverage plant site

Casey Laughman

May 24, 2019

Choosing a site for a new food or beverage plant is a complicated process, with a number of factors to evaluate and prioritize. Like a jigsaw puzzle, it's easier to start small and consider individual pieces before trying to put them all together.

Editor's Note

Experience shapes an effective response

Casey Laughman

May 17, 2019

When things go wrong, we draw on our knowledge and experience to figure out how to respond most effectively, then carry out that response.

Valley Milk milk powder processing plant

Editor's Note

Adaptability and flexibility are critical components of project planning

Casey Laughman

April 15, 2019

Being able to adapt on the fly is great, but it's a lot easier to do when you've accounted for as many potential contingencies as possible.

Plant of the Year

Plant of the Year 2019: Valley Milk's new facility aids vertical integration

Milk processor pushes the envelope at every opportunity, earns Food Engineering award

Casey Laughman

March 28, 2019

A collaboration among several dairy families and nutritionists in California's Central Valley led to the construction of a milk processing facility that exceeds expectations.

CANNABIS PRODUCTS - MARCH 2019

Finding the right equipment for manufacturing legal cannabis beverages

Challenges like working with cannabis oil have beverage developers looking for equipment solutions.

Casey Laughman

March 21, 2019

When it comes to traditional food and beverage production, processors work to establish standardized processes and procedures that wouldn’t have to vary much if an ingredient, such as olive oil, was switched to a different supplier. Developing legal cannabis edibles and beverages, however, is a different story.

Editor's Note

Production and packaging strategies change as pet food market grows

Casey Laughman

March 18, 2019

The pet food market has been growing like crazy the last few years, both in terms of how much is being sold and what is being sold. It's a big opportunity for food processors to expand their current pet offerings or make an entry into the market.

Industry News

FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb announces resignation

Gottlieb will leave the agency in April

Casey Laughman

March 5, 2019

FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb, who has led the agency since 2017, has announced he will be resigning as of April 2019.

Editor's Note

Re-energize your career in the sunshine at the FA&M Conference in Miami

Be part of the conversation about where the industry is headed with Tyson, Kellogg's, Golden State Foods and others

Casey Laughman

February 14, 2019

The four-day conference in Miami will be a great opportunity for food and beverage processors who want to learn more about where the industry's going and how we'll get there.