NCC Automated Systems recently added Erik Bronander to its team to lead Business Development. While he will be tasked with growing business by identifying new applications and opportunities, Bronander's main objective will be to develop a new business unit focused around complete nutraceutical packaging lines. He will report directly to Kevin Mauger, President, NCC Automated Systems.

Siew Keat Tung has been promoted to Managing Director of Multivac Malaysia. He also took over the management of the Multivac Singapore subsidiary at the start of the year. The previous managing director, Soon Heng (Robin) Lim, will leave the company at the end of February 2021.

The Massman Companies, a leading manufacturer of packaging equipment for food, beverage, consumer and industrial products, has appointed current CEO and President Jeff Bigger to Executive Board Chair and Jeffrey Hohn CEO and President, effective immediately.

JLS Automation has strengthened its sales team for the Canadian market with the addition of Paul Swietlinski as National Sales Manager, Canada. In this newly created role, Swietlinski will bring more than 30 years of industry experience to support JLS’ customers and will help grow business with new and existing accounts across the country. He will report to Mike Newcome, Vice President of Sales.

Look at the latest ideas and equipment for pet food processing.

Massman Automation Designs, a leader in the design and manufacture of innovative packaging equipment, has hired Ray Musson as Regional Sales Manager of case packing and palletizing for the company’s Central and Central South regions.

SOMIC America has hired Ryan Schumacher as its new East Coast Sales Manager. Based in Wilmington, North Carolina, he reports directly to Peter Fox, Senior Vice President of Sales.

GEA will launch in November its new vertical SmartPacker CX400 D-Zip for pre-packaged food products for retail and foodservice. It combines fast, high-quality operation with maximum flexibility and uptime. Apart from producing premium quality D-ZIP bags, this easy-to-use machine can produce more than 10 different bag styles for a wide variety of applications such as candy, nuts, frozen fruits and grated cheese. The new machine integrates a newly developed corner seal unit, designed to reduce complexity and improve quality, flexibility and serviceability, thereby meeting the demands of today’s processors.

The Massman Companies, a leading group of packaging equipment manufacturing companies, will be exhibiting and demonstrating the capabilities of a number of its machines and systems at Pack Expo Connects 2020, the virtual trade show. Viewers can access the virtual Massman exhibits by visiting www.pe.show/197.

BluePrint Automation (BPA) has hired Rosalbina Treviño as Sales Manager for Mexico. BPA designs, develops, and manufactures packaging solutions for flexible and other tough-to-handle packages.  Areas of expertise include: vision guided robotics, case and tray packing, and turnkey packaging systems.