Frédéric Duvauchelle has been named general manager and president of Puratos Corp. USA. Outgoing Puratos USA president Karel Zimmermann will transition to regional director of North America.

The 2013 Packaging Conference, slated for Feb. 4-6 in Atlanta’s Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead, will focus on brand owner packaging initiatives and emerging technologies.

Fast food giant Yum Brands sells its Pizza Hut restaurant chain (with 330 outlets) in the U.K. to London-based venture capitalist firm Rutland Partners.

In this newly created position, Rich will serve as the voice of the customer within the Rich’s organization and spearhead its “Rich Experience” strategy.

The Houston-based company announced at PACK EXPO International 2012 that it will make its patented EZ Align technology a new standard.

The annual food safety event is expected to draw more than 1,000 leading food industry decision makers from more than 60 countries.

Horizon Milling, Kenosha, Wis., says it will expand production of whole-wheat flour at its Kenosha facility later this fall, doubling overall whole-wheat flour capacity when the project is complete. The business currently produces whole-wheat flour at its plants in Ogden, Utah; Mankato, Minn.; and Mount Pocono, Pa.

Affecting 550 jobs, the closing of a Toronto bakery by Mondelez International Inc.'s Canadian division is expected to take place in the third quarter of 2013. The facility has produced cookies and crackers since 1948 and employs about 550 people. The company says it will shift some production to facilities in Toronto and Montreal.

Ted Sawicz joins the Northbrook, Ill.-based manufacturer as chief financial officer.

David F. Giannetto joins Salient Management Co. as senior vice president, performance management. In addition, the Horseheads, N.Y.-based company appoints HighJump Software an OEM for two of its reporting options.