PACK EXPO International 2010 will have a new look with the show expanding its focus to include packaging and processing solutions.

The board of PMMI, which owns and produces the show, recently voted unanimously to make the change. PACK EXPO International 2010 runs from October 31-November 3, 2010 in Chicago.

“In today’s manufacturing environment, you can no longer separate the processing and packaging parts of your business,” says Mike Alagna, chief operating officer for Nation Pizza Products. “They are totally intertwined together and should be addressed as a whole process when looking at rates, efficiencies and other improvements. You do not want to create a bottleneck for either processing or packaging by not taking a look at both parts of your operation when designing a line or purchasing new equipment for an existing line.”

According to Arlington, Va.-based PMMI, PACK EXPO attendee data supports the show’s expansion to focus on packaging and processing. In fact, 97% of past attendee survey respondents indicated that they came to see packaging and processing exhibits. Additionally, 93% of those surveyed indicated that PACK EXPO clearly fulfilled the overall expectations they had for attending the show.

“Today’s consumer and industrial goods companies are combining the engineering teams within their companies in order to support total systems solutions for their enterprise,” notes Charles D. Yuska, president and CEO of PMMI. “Their focus is clearly on overall operational excellence across the production line. It is abundantly clear that PACK EXPO needed to mirror the industry it serves by broadening its exhibitor focus to include processing solutions.”

New Event Debuts in 2010

“Pro Mach as a company serves the total systems approach that end users are taking when it comes to their operations,” reports Jack Aguero, vice president, business development and marketing for Pro Mach, Inc. “We are pleased to be able to market a full range of production and packaging solutions at a single, integrated event where our customers can easily view the complete range of solutions we offer.”

Audrey Waidelich, marketing manager for long-time exhibitor, Heat and Control, Inc. also looks forward to better serving customers by exhibiting more from its product line.

“Heat and Control offers food processing, packaging and inspection solutions - and we are very pleased to now be able to exhibit representative pieces from all of our equipment lines in our booth at PACK EXPO shows,” Waidelich says. “This will allow our customers to see the full product range and discuss the total system solution with us, in one place. This expanded approach is a win-win situation that adds value for show visitors and exhibitors.”

The Hayward, Calif.-based company has been a PACK EXPO exhibitor since 1984.

The show expects 2,000 packaging and processing suppliers to exhibit in more than1.2 million net square feet of space.

Go to www.packexpo.com for more information.