Grant Gerke

Chicago

Technology Editor, Marketer, and Communications Specialist at Freelance

Industry 4.0 editor covering #manufacturing, food & bev, packaging @FoodEng @SupplySide & @Profoodworld | Freelance Content Mkt. & Writer | Founder @PluggedInEV

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Articles

OEE Metrics Evolve as Data Standardization Takes Shape

3 weeks ago | foodengineeringmag.com | Grant Gerke

The race to standardize plant data from programmable logic controllers (PLC), sensors and production lines is happening fast. As food manufacturers standardize data, digital tools accelerate and provide a closer look at overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) and maintenance metrics. Food manufacturing is the largest employer among manufacturing industries, employing more than 1.7 million workers.
Finding the Right Applications for Cobot and Robot Technology

1 month ago | foodengineeringmag.com | Grant Gerke

The food and beverage industry revolves around food safety, regulations and higher throughput. Food producers are adopting cobot and robot technology and finding applications in the plant: product handling, case packing and palletizing. Industry adoption keeps growing, so what's been driving this growth? According to the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), North American companies ordered 31,311 robots in 2024, representing growth of 0.5% units compared to 2023.
Frozen Food Producers Meet Surging Demand for ‘Elevated In-Home Experiences’

2 months ago | foodsafety.einnews.com | Grant Gerke

AS Photo Family - stock.adobe.comMomentum in the frozen food aisle is strong. Consumers are seeking “elevated in-home experiences” in the frozen food segment.
Food Industry Prepares for Phased-in Enforcement of FSMA Rule 204

Feb 12, 2025 | foodsafety.einnews.com | Grant Gerke

Advances in testing systems allow food manufacturers to use less staff, and digital records are ready for Rule 204’s 24-hour requirement. Image courtesy of Fortress Technology“The challenges here are new, but the patterns and frictions are recognizable,” says Wes Frierson, VP of Product Lifecycle Solutions at FoodChain ID.
Using Data to Drive Predictive Maintenance Strategies

Feb 10, 2025 | foodengineeringmag.com | Grant Gerke |Derrick Teal |Richard F. Stier

Doing more with less is a familiar refrain in the maintenance department, but food and beverage manufacturing executives and plant floor personnel are moving toward a full-fledged understanding that capital investments are needed to extend machine lifecycles and production uptime. What’s driving this realization? There are many, but one is a shared understanding of a limited workforce and that more digital tools are needed.
Will Food Processors Find Success with AI in 2025?

Jan 15, 2025 | foodengineeringmag.com | Grant Gerke |Derrick Teal |Richard F. Stier

Markus Guerster reminds readers at the beginning of his book, "Artificial Intelligence Will Revolutionize Manufacturing," that Industry 4.0 is still in the early stages. About a decade ago, companies began to adopt digital technologies, including networking machines and processes, to optimize plant production. The byproduct of Industry 4.0 is significant amounts of enterprise data that companies didn't have to manage in the past.
Will Food Processors Find Success with AI in 2025?

Jan 15, 2025 | brnw.ch | Grant Gerke |Derrick Teal |Richard F. Stier

Markus Guerster reminds readers at the beginning of his book, "Artificial Intelligence Will Revolutionize Manufacturing," that Industry 4.0 is still in the early stages. About a decade ago, companies began to adopt digital technologies, including networking machines and processes, to optimize plant production. The byproduct of Industry 4.0 is significant amounts of enterprise data that companies didn't have to manage in the past.
Tech-driven transformation is on the rise

Jan 9, 2025 | supplysidefbj.com | Grant Gerke

The food industry is embracing digital technologies and sustainable practices, driven by consumer demand for clean labels, reduced environmental impact and healthier options. This includes hybrid products like plant-based meat blends, innovative production methods like 2D-printed oat milk and designer fats created via precision fermentation. At a GlanceDigital technologies like data visualization and 2D printing are driving innovation in product development.
Nestlé USA to Invest $150 Million to Expand Gaffney, South Carolina, Plant

Nov 21, 2024 | linkedin.com | Grant Gerke

Why Companies Take the Automation Plunge Nestlé joins Tyson Foods in its continued investment in automation. Just like Tyson did in 2018, Nestlé will invest $150 mil. to expand its current South Carolina food plant. The import of this news is removing legacy equipment to improve data communications and scale faster.
Changing Consumer Attitudes on Sustainability Means More Solutions for Plastics

Nov 18, 2024 | foodengineeringmag.com | Grant Gerke

Consumer attitudes on sustainability for brands are shifting. Consumers have advocated reducing plastic packaging and recycling for years, but sustainability is now seen with a broader lens: supply chain emissions, food waste, ethical sourcing and clean label ingredients. "The perception of the consumer is evolving beyond just the reduction of plastic packaging. They want to look at the whole lifecycle of the product. Where is it sourced? How is it produced?