The company is focused on improving its environmental sustainability, strengthening local communities, providing children with the nutrition they need to learn and grow, responding to consumers’ desire for greater transparency and simple ingredients, and offering an engaging and flexible workplace for its employees.

And this year, they even have machines talking to themselves. It’s dubbed Industry 4.0. As Wikipedia explains, “Industry 4.0 is the current trend of automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies. It includes cyber-physical systems, the Internet of things and cloud computing.” 

Lufkin, Texas-based Atkinson Candy Co. and its packaging design partner, The Vital Design Group, have been selected from more than 2,000 entries as winners of the annual Graphic Design USA 2017 American Package Design Awards. 

Wana Brands has been an innovator in the cannabis infused-products industry in Colorado since 2010. As one of the state’s original infused products manufacturers, the Boulder, Colo.-based company has developed a broad range of artisan, made-from-scratch edibles, concentrates and medicinal products, including the state’s most popular sour gummies. 

Lee Hartman, director of sales for Printpack and a 33-year veteran of the confectionery industry, will retire on March 23.