3 Reasons Why You Should Attend Northwest Food & Beverage World

Organized in 1914 as a canners association, the Northwest Food Processors Association (NWFPA) supports the needs of the Pacific Northwest food processing industry (Idaho, Oregon, and Washington) in a variety of food processing & packaging segments. NWFPA is one of the nation’s largest food processing trade associations, with current membership of more than 75 processor companies and more than 350 supplier members. With partner Garrett Packaging, Viking Masek looks forward to bringing our food and beverage packaging solutions to NWFPA's regional conference: Northwest Food & Beverage World. Held from January 9 - 11, 2017 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, OR, the expo is a great place for food and beverage processors to be. Here's why:

Networking and Information Gathering

With 400-plus exhibitors and over 3,500 attendees, Northwest Food & Beverage World is a great place to network with like-minded professionals, not to mention an opportunity to get an inside look at what your competition is doing. From the latest trends to the newest technologies, your industry peers will have much to share. 

Educational Opportunities

There are many changes happening in the food and beverage industries right now, and much more to come. Whether it be regulatory, like the FSMA or nutrition label requirements; consumer-based, like Millennial purchasing and behavior trends, or new ways to differentiate your product on a crowded store shelf, the Northwest Food & Beverage World Expo and Conference will inform and inspire.

This year, all education sessions are on the show floor to create a total integration of the conference and expo. Among the educational opportunities are:

• FDA & FSMA Update and Discussion
• Halving Food Waste by 2030: How Will Your Production Facility Get There?
• Understanding the Media Habits of Young Consumers
• Is Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) a Process to Consider?

The NWFPA focuses on current issues relating to energy, environmental affairs, government affairs, food safety and technical information, and sustainability. With educational offerings and speakers touching on all of these important issues, Northwest Food & Beverage World is a one stop shop to feel the pulse of the food and beverage industries.

Innovative Food and Beverage Solutions

New and innovative food packaging and processing solutions abound at the expo and conference. At booth 317, Viking Masek will be featuring two of our most versatile machines, perfect for food and beverage packaging. 

The first is the rotary premade pouch machine model V-8S-235. Differing from vertical form fill and seal machinery that utilizes roll stock film to create bags, pouch packing machines offer something completely different. These innovative packaging machines fill and seal already premade custom pouches, so no rollstock is required. The end result is that your packaged product looks modern, offers convenience, and differentiates itself from the competition. The pouch packing machine is making waves in many industries, but especially in markets like coffee, natural and organic products, and snack foods.

Second is the new VFFS machine model MS400. This equipment is configured to form, fill, and seal Doypack pouches at the expo, but that should not infer any limitations of this versatile machine. Designed to fit almost any packaging need, this benefits of this innovative packaging machine include:

• Available in either intermittent or continuous mode
• Can accommodate all VFFS flexible bag styles, including the popular Doypack and quad seal bag types
• Can accommodate many bag sizes, from 60mm x 80mm all the way up to 400mm x 600mm
• Features no-tool changeover, off-the-shelf components, and minimal maintenance
• Does not sacrifice speed for versatility, running at speeds of up to 100 bpm
• Available with either Siemens or Allen Bradley controls
• Features a small machine footprint and short film path