Tyson Foods, ConAgra Foods, Perdue and Michael Angelo’s Gourmet Foods are just a few of the companies speaking at this year’s Food Automation & Manufacturing (FA&M) Conference and Expo, Apr. 22-25 at the Sanibel Harbour Marriott in Fort Myers, Fla. Register today!

Tyson Foods, ConAgra Foods, Perdue and Michael Angelo’s Gourmet Foods are just a few of the companies attending-and speaking at-this year’s Food Automation & Manufacturing (FA&M) Conference and Expo, Apr. 22-25 at the Sanibel Harbour Marriott in Fort Myers, Fla.

Hosted by Food Engineering, a sister publication, FA&M brings food and beverage processors and suppliers together to gain valuable information on the latest trends and technologies in manufacturing, automation, sustainability and food safety.

FA&M provides a unique forum of world-class speakers presenting essential solutions and educational sessions on a variety of topics, giving attendees a vital opportunity to re-energize their careers in a casual, highly productive networking event.

Register by April 6 to receive the early bird discount for just $995 per person, or bring a colleague for only $795 per person (when two or more people from the same company register).

Topics and highlights include:
•    Creating a no-compromise operations and manufacturing culture
•    Perfecting your continuous improvement plan
•    Addressing what you need to know now about the Food Safety Modernization Act
•    Understanding the business case for sustainability
•    Uncovering leading-edge manufacturing solutions
•    Improving efficiency via robotics
•    Implementing manufacturing innovation in challenging times
•    Protecting your people and assets with a state-of-the-art security plan
•    Discovering new ideas by attending the Solutions Theater presentations
•    Networking with engineering and plant operations executives
•    Overcoming challenges with legacy systems, machine safety, CIP and more

Who should attend:
•    Vice President of Operations
•    Plant Manager
•    Plant Superintendent
•    Production Manager
•    Vice President of Engineering
•    Director of Engineering
•    Director of Quality
•    Manager of Plant Operations
•    Director of Manufacturing
•    Production and Maintenance Managers
•    Director of Quality Assurance

List of speakers include publisher of Food Engineering and Refrigerated & Frozen Foods, Patrick Young, who will kick off the show with a welcome speech during the continental breakfast, followed by Food Engineering’s editor-in-chief, Joyce Fassl, who will be speaking about the state of food manufacturing in the opening remarks.

The keynote speaker is Michael J. McCloskey, founder and CEO, Fair Oaks Farm. In his address, “The Age of Transparency,” McCloskey will address how embracing transparency with science-based technology can lead to profitability.

Other sessions include:

Food Safety Modernization Act: What You Need to Know Now
Kurt Deibel, vice president, quality and food safety, H.J. Heinz
This presentation will address the latest trends in food safety management, effective track-and-trace systems as well as food safety compliance on a global basis.

Engineering Keynote: The Business Case for Sustainability
Dave Haft, senior vice president, sustainability, productivity and quality, Frito-Lay
Frito-Lay, the $13 billion snack food division of PepsiCo, has developed and implemented a broad, deep and comprehensive environmental sustainability program during the past 12 years. By significantly reducing its environmental footprint through the optimal integration of people, process and technology, Frito-Lay has achieved annual savings of $80 million. Dramatic reductions in the use of water, natural gas, electricity, motor fuel, landfill and packaging material have been good for both the business and the environment.

Creating a No-compromise Operations & Manufacturing Culture
Neil Ducoff, founder and CEO, Strategies
No-compromise leadership is a commitment to a higher standard that guides a business culture to extraordinary achievement. Ducoff will show you how to turn missed opportunities into manufacturing home-runs.

Solutions Theater
Leading suppliers to the industry will present brief technology updates and provide the latest manufacturing solutions.

Robotics vs. Continuous Motion
Terrence Southern, senior engineer, flexible automation, Frito-Lay North America, Inc.

Overcoming the Challenges of Legacy Systems
Anass Bennani, MIS director, Michael Angelo's Gourmet Foods, Inc.  

Best Practices in Machine Safety
Frank J. Cruice, corporate director, safety and security, Perdue
 
Best Practices in Automated CIP
Pete Duessel, project engineer, Coca-Cola Refreshments North America

Ask the Experts Panel: Perfecting Your Continuous Improvement Plan
Tom Deschler, vice president, continuous improvement, T. Marzetti Co.
John Mutchler, executive vice president, Glanbia USA
Tom Lance, vice president of operations, Boston Beer
Sharri Hall, director of manufacturing excellence, Diageo North America

This session features a panel of food and beverage industry experts who will present different viewpoints on various continuous improvement methods such as lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, OEE, KPIs, Kaizen and high-performance work teams. These experts will address your top manufacturing challenges.

Plant Security Audits: Protecting Your People and Assets
William L. Ramsey, director of corporate security, McCormick & Co. Inc.
The ability to document access-card use, the condition of perimeter defenses and other aspects of safeguards against intentional food contamination will likely be requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act. Learn how to upgrade your security systems in a cost-effective manner.

Plant of the Year Award
Join us as we honor the 2011 Food Engineering Plant of the Year award winner. Each year, only one food or beverage plant in North America earns this award.

Social Responsibility: Addressing Customer and Consumer Concerns
Leigh Ann Johnston, CPEA, EHS training, communication and sustainability manager, Tyson Foods, Inc.
Demonstrating social responsibility is important in being an employer of choice, engaging company critics and effecting improvements in both food and worker safety. Maintaining business-to-business relationships is also a prime motivation. Hear how a leading processor embraces this crucial topic.

Special Panel Discussion: The Journey to Sustainability Excellence
Bill Gill, assistant vice president, Smithfield Foods
Amber Brovak, HSE and sustainability manager, Sunny Delight Beverages Co
Jarod Cook, director, environmental services, Del Monte Foods
Moderator: Stephen Schlegel, managing director, Alliance for Innovation & Operational Excellence

The Alliance for Innovation and Operational Excellence (AIOE) brings together operations professionals from consumer products companies and solutions providers to address key industry issues and establish best practices on a range of critical operational topics. These members will discuss the industry guidelines created by the strategic collaboration of more than 25 consumer goods manufacturers and suppliers. AIOE was founded by PMMI and includes The Grocery Manufacturers Association as its charter member.

Lessons Learned on the Road to Sustainability
Paul Halberstadt, senior director, energy and environment, ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston
Halberstadt will discuss the many lessons ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston learned on its sustainability journey. Topics include construction of the first frozen food processing plant in the world to achieve LEED Platinum certification; achievement of EPA ENERGY STAR certification at four plants; sustainable agriculture initiatives with growers; progress and challenges presented by ConAgra Foods' sustainable reduction goals; and community and industry outreach and sustainability involvement.

Wastewater Treatment Benefits of Starting the Creek
Tim Herndon, assistant plant manager, Purnell Sausage
The cost and availability of fresh water is becoming an issue for some facilities, and high levels of suspended and dissolved sugars, protein and fat pose a special challenge for food plants. Herndon will show how wastewater treatment to start a creek can be effective compared to other options and save costs.

For more information about FA&M or to register to attend and/or exhibit, go to http://foodautomationconference.com.