ThePackaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute(PMMI) and theAmerican Meat Institute(AMI) announced a new strategic partnership.

Although details of activities are in the planning stages, officials said PMMI and AMI are discussing ways to "address mutual concerns such as safety standards and issues related to meat packaging and processing."

As part of the agreement:

AMI will participatein PMMI’s Allied Association Program, and will exhibit at PACK EXPO International 2010 (October 31–November 3, 2010; McCormick Place, Chicago), and promote the event and AMI participation to its members.

PMMI will exhibitin the 2011 AMI International Meat, Poultry & Seafood Convention & Exposition (April 11-13, 2011; McCormick Place, Chicago) and promote its participation to PMMI members.

To better serve the two groups, officials said PMMI and AMI also are discussing plans to host  jointly-sponsored programs at their respective events.

“This partnership is very natural, a great fit. That’s especially true now that we’ve added processing solutions providers to the PMMI membership and the PACK EXPO exhibitor base. Clearly, this stronger relationship between AMI and PMMI will be mutually beneficial,” says Charles D. Yuska, PMMI president & CEO.

J. Patrick Boyle, president & CEO, AMI agreed.

“PMMI and AMI members’ interests and concerns overlap in many places,” he said. “Working together, we can accomplish great things for both groups and the industries we all serve.”

AMI said its members fall into three categories: They pack and process meat and poultry; they are suppliers to packers and processors; or they are otherwise involved in the meat and poultry industry.

“PMMI members make roughly 60 percent of their sales to food manufacturers,” Yuska noted. “So it only makes sense that AMI and PMMI sit down and strategically consider mutual issues. We’re looking forward to working together to better serve our members.”

About PMMI
PMMI is a trade association of 560 plus member companies that manufacture packaging, processing and related converting machinery in the United States or Canada; machinery components and packaging containers and materials.

PMMI organizes the PACK EXPO trade s hows: PACK EXPO International, PACK EXPO Las Vegas and EXPO PACK México. PMMI's 2010 events include EXPO PACK México in Mexico City, June 22–25, and PACK EXPO International, Oct. 31–Nov. 3, at Chicago’s McCormick Place. PACK EXPO Las Vegas returns to the Las Vegas Convention Center Sept. 26–28, 2011.

Learn more about PMMI and the PACK EXPO trade shows at PMMI.org and Packexpo.com.

About AMI
The American Meat Institute (AMI) is the nation's largest meat and poultry trade association. AMI is dedicated to increasing the efficiency, profitability and safety of meat and poultry trade worldwide.

Learn more about AMI and the AMI convention and exposition at www.meatami.com and www.amiexpo.com.