It’s not enough for a package to look good. More consumer demand for sustainability, convenience and innovative design makes it increasingly challenging for brands to connect with consumers at point of purchase. Pack Expo International 2012 show’s Brand Zone will help, housing various glass, metal, paper and plastic packaging developments.

Robb MacKie, president/CEO of the American Bakers’ Association (ABA), Washington, D.C., testified before the House Energy and Power Subcommittee on June 19, discussing the negative impact the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Tailoring Rule would have on the baking industry.

The global ingredients supplier is opening a new state-of-the-art 110,000-sq.-ft. center in suburban Chicago designed to facilitate customer collaboration and accelerate innovation in specialty food ingredients.

The American Institute of Baking (AIB), Manhattan, Kan., elects David Murphy, president of Mother Murphy’s Laboratories Inc., chairman of the AIB board of trustees. Murphy has been president of Mother Murphy’s for the past 16 years. The privately-held company supplies flavoring ingredients and services to the baking, confectionery, beverage, nutraceutical and other food-related industries worldwide.

The American Bakers Association, Washington, D.C., welcomes Maureen Linder, Pepperidge Farm; Erin Sharp, The Kroger Co., John C. Campbell II, Chattanooga Bakery; and Dave Murphy, Mother Murphy's Laboratories, as new members of its board of directors. The new members will join the board on June 14.

Delkor Systems’ new robotic loader allows maximum production efficiency when loading products such as nutritional bars into tri-seal cartons.

The Brighton, Mo.-based supplier of innovative flavor delivery systems buys the assets of Flavors From Florida, Inc., a wholly owned business of Agrana Fruit US, Inc. Flavors From Florida supplies flavor systems to dairy and beverage manufacturers in the United States, Central America and the Caribbean.