Hill's Pet Nutrition updates technology to eliminate failures

Hill's Pet Nutrition continues to update its existing technology systems at the Kentucky plant to eliminate analog input failures. In 2006, the company decided to implement new control technology based on the Allen-Bradley ControlLogix programmable automation controller (PAC) from Rockwell Automation, to help eliminate I/O failures and streamline software programming

July 6, 2010

Hill's Pet Nutrition continues to update its existing technology systems at the Kentucky plant to eliminate analog input failures.

In 2006, the company decided to implement new control technology based on the Allen-Bradley ControlLogix programmable automation controller (PAC) from Rockwell Automation, to help eliminate I/O failures and streamline software programming. The first phase of implementation began in 2008 with the conversion of the first of four extruder lines to ControlLogix PAC technology, and eventually replacing the existing Modbus Plus network with EtherNet/IP. In addition, variable-frequency drives in the plant are being updated and replaced with Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 70 drives.

The upgrade project will continue over five years, and will involve upgrading all major production lines and a minimum of six of the plant’s existing controllers to the ControlLogix PAC platform.

According to some industry players, pet food label modernization (PFLM)-related changes are estimated to cost the pet food industry more than $1 billion in updates to comply with the new requirements.

PFLM: Are you ready?

Dog And Cat Eating

Yeast: A possible approach to preventing pet disease

Pet Food Market

Colombian pet food, dairy leaders collaborate on new dog treat

A collaboration between Italcol, a leading Colombian pet food manufacturer, and Alpina, a dairy giant, has created Dog Yurt, a blend of dairy expertise with pet nutrition.

Colombian pet food manufacturer Italcol has teamed up with Alpina to launch Dog Yurt, a new line of topping-snacks designed with probiotics.

Brand Insights

Pet Food Quality: A More Holistic Approach to Food Safety

KEMIN NUTRISURANCE

Learn why addressing microbial risks throughout the value chain is critical to a robust food safety program. Brand Insights from Kemin.

Pet Food Quality: A More Holistic Approach to Food Safety

Pet Food Ingredients

MicroHarvest, VEGDOG launch pet treat with microbial protein

MicroHarvest said its novel protein ingredient emits an estimated two to three times less CO2 compared to plant-derived solutions.

VEGDOG will unveil its novel microbial protein pet treat at the 2024 Pet Food Forum during Interzoo Europe in Nuremberg, Germany.

Wilbur-Ellis, Bond Pet Foods collaborate on sustainable pet food ingredients

Bond Pet Foods, Inc.

Partnership combines Wilbur-Ellis' expertise in animal nutrition with Bond's innovative fermentation technology to meet the demand for eco-friendly pet food.

The collaboration is the first of its kind for Wilbur-Ellis Nutrition, and it is Bond's second strategic partnership with a global pet food industry player.

APPA names pet food leaders to board

American Pet Products Association has named Kevin Frick with PetWise Brands and Josh Patterson with Vital Essentials to its board of directors.

Appa Board Member Announcement Appa

Market Trends and Reports

General Mills’ pet food sales down 3% in Q3 FY24

Net sales results in the quarter included declines in pet treats and dry pet food, partially offset by growth in wet pet food.

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ADM Chief Financial Officer Vikram Luthar to resign

Luthar was placed on administrative leave in January amid an investigation into certain accounting practices and procedures within ADM’s Nutrition reporting segment.

Adm Smartphone Graphs

Pea protein dog food kept pets healthy during yearlong study

Dog, cat and other pet owners may put aside ethical concerns if they don’t know plant-based pet foods are nutritionally balanced and healthy.

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Pet Food Market

Small dogs make big impact on shaping Mexico's pet food industry

A recent report highlights a shift in consumer preferences toward small dogs causing a slowdown in the country's pet food production.

The preference for smaller breeds is having a marked impact on the overall demand for pet food volumes in Mexico.

Insect-based Cat and Dog Food

Innovafeed opens insect innovation center in Decatur, Illinois

This is the first step in the company's industrial expansion to North America, which aims to scale up production and commercialization of insect protein in the U.S.

Maye Walraven, U.S. general manager at Innovafeed, displays one of the six insect cages at the recently opened North American Insect Innovation Center (NAIIC), on April 18.

Grains and Starches

Nestlé Purina, Cargill partner to reduce dry pet food carbon footprint

Nestle Purina PetCare

Investment in regenerative agriculture is estimated to reduce the carbon footprint of Purina’s U.S. grain supply from Cargill by up to 40% over the next three years.

Nestlé Purina and Cargill are partnering on regenerative agriculture adoption to reduce the carbon footprint of Purina dry pet food products.

Trouw Nutrition, Skretting name new CEOs

Nutreco has named Eduardo Lopes Alberto as CEO of Trouw Nutrition and Bastiaan van Tilburg as CEO of Skretting, effective June 1.

Pet Food Market

Plant-based ingredient supplier enters pet food market

Green Boy's pet food division will will offer ingredients for dry and wet pet food and for the utilization of all kinds of pet food products.

Bean, the Green Boy mascot, and his friend, Junior, celebrate the opening of Green Boy Groups Pet Food Division on April 1.

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