Barry Callebaut opens U.S innovation center

The world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality cocoa and chocolate products, Barry Callebaut, has announced plans to open its first innovation center in the United States. The facility, located in Pennsauken, N.J., will consist of a laboratory for R&D work as well as a special pilot plant to mimic actual production processes in the factory. The focus of the innovation center will be to research and develop new chocolate products and applications for customers located in the U.S.

“The new Barry Callebaut innovation center is a further testament to our commitment to serving the North American market, and will enable us to offer customized products and services at competitive prices, thereby creating sustained value for our customer,” said Rich Benson, director of research and development for Barry Callebaut North America.

Additionally, some of the R&D work being done in European facilities will be transferred to the new center in Pennsauken.

Heat and Control builds equipment demonstration facility

Hayward, Calif.-based Heat and Control, Inc. has developed a new 28,000-sq.-ft. facility in Dallas, Tex. The building will act as a demonstration center for operators and maintenance staff to test the performance of equipment such as conveyors, accumulators, weighers and bagmakers, among other machinery. Heat and Control will also provide thorough training of complete packaging lines to its visitors.