Thanks to Our 2015 MWFPA Convention
Sponosors
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The MWFPA News Bulletin is underwritten in part by Bug Blocker Doors & Screens
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Congress Hopes To Stave Off Government Shutdown
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 Congressional leaders remain guardedly optimistic that Republicans and Democrats can craft an omnibus 2016 fiscal year appropriations bill and stave off a December federal government shutdown.
Negotiators hope to conclude negotiations soon so that lawmakers have time to debate the legislation before the current funding authority expires on December 11.
Although agreement has been reached on most agency spending levels, negotiators still disagree on funding levels for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the remainder of the 2016 fiscal year. And major spending bill disagreements remain over policy issues.
House Democrats received and quickly rejected a GOP offer in the middle of last week, largely because of its "poison pill" policy riders, many relating to environmental issues. Democrats quickly provided a counteroffer, which, among other things, seeks the elimination of numerous GOP policy riders. Among the water-related riders still in play are those blocking funding to implement the Waters of the U.S. rule.
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Transportation Bill Becomes Law
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 The House and Senate finalized a
$305 billion transportation bill and the President signed the measure on Friday, December 4.
The bill formally reauthorizes the collection of the 18.4 cents per gallon gas tax that is typically used to pay for transportation projects, and also includes $70 billion in "pay-fors" to close a $16 billion deficit in annual transportation funding that has developed as U.S. cars have become more fuel-efficient.
The gas tax has been the traditional source for transportation funding since its inception in the 1930s, but lawmakers have resisted increasing the amount that drivers pay. The federal government typically spends about $50 billion per year on transportation projects; the gas tax only brings in $34 billion annually.
Passage ends a succession of 36 short-term extensions over 20 years, and provides authority for surface transportation spending through 2020.
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GMA SmartLabel™ Initiative Gives Consumers Easy Access to Detailed Ingredient Information
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 The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) has launched a new initiative aimed at satisfying both consumers and food producers in the fight over whether to label foods with genetically modified ingredients.
GMA said more than 30 companies have already agreed to participate in the SmartLabel initiative, which will allow consumers to find detailed product information by scanning a QR code, a type of barcode, on a food package, using a web search such as Google, Yahoo or Bing, or visiting the company's website.
Read more
here and
here.
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The MWFPA News Bulletin is underwritten in part by Wisconsin Lift Truck Corp.
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Rauner, Madigan Budget Meeting Held
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A highly-anticipated meeting on the state budget between IL Gov. Bruce Rauner, IL House Speaker Michael Madigan and other legislative leaders took place last week.
The meeting was partially televised giving the public a glimpse of the leadership meeting for the first time since May to discuss the budget, which should have taken effect on July 1.
All five participants talked about their concerns and goals. The meeting then moved into a private gathering. To watch the public portion of the meeting, go here.
Rauner continues to push for a far-reaching overhaul to the business climate including
restricting payouts under workers' compensation; limits on the way liability lawsuits can be conducted; a property tax freeze that gives local governments freedom to control spending by limiting collective bargaining by labor unions, before talking dollars and cents.
Democrats say the changes he wants would damage the middle class.
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MWFPA Convention Again Proves To Be Venue For Business
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 The MWFPA Annual Convention once again proved itself the venue for identifying trends, gathering information, and forming and maintaining business relationships.
Guests and attendees had ample opportunity to visit more than 140 exhibit booths where products and services tailored to the food manufacturing industry were on display.
The convention's many educational sessions ran the gamut of interesting industry topics, including FSMA, OSHA, EPA, safety incentive programs, air quality issues, boosting product development and the hydro-conveyance of food products among others.
 The All Industry Reception at historic Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packes, was well attended with many of the delegates opting to tour the stadium throughout the evening.
MWFPA's second annual silent auction, held during the Chairman's Reception on Wednesday evening, saw delegates and guests make their last-minute bids on power equipment, Packer and other tickets, golf outings, electronics and many unique items. While the numbers are not final, estimates are $4,000 was raised for the MWFPA Scholarship Fund by the auction.
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2015 MWFPA forklift rodeo winners (L to R): Junior Guerra - Del Monte (3rd Place), Kurt Selle - Seneca Foods (1st Place), Jeff Papke - Seneca Foods (2nd Place).
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MWFPA's second forklift rodeo was held Wednesday where competitors from various companies competed for the coveted brass belt buckle, trophy and $300 cash prize while they demonstrated their pallet piling prowess as well as their bowling skills. Watch local media coverage of the event
here.
Congratulations to our top three finishers pictured at right.
Thank you to all the attendees, the Board of Directors, AMO and the Convention Committee. We could not have pulled it off without your support. Your assistance makes this event bigger and better every year.
A huge thank you to our sponsors, featured along the left-hand column of this bulletin and our exhibitors.
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Zentgrebe Retierment Noted With Donation To MWFPA Scholarship Fund
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Dave Zentgrebe of Seneca Foods (r) acknowledges the $2,500 check presented by the 49ers Foundation in his name to the MWFPA Scholarship Fund.
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All of us at MWFPA were gratifiedto acknowledge the retirement of Seneca's Dave Zentgrebe after his many years of faithful service to the food processing industry.
In his name the 49ers Club donated $2,500 to the MWFPA Scholarship Fund. The presentation took place during the Wednesday morning breakfast at the MWFPA Convention.
Thank you 49ers and good luck Dave in retirement!
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MWFPA Events You Won't Want To Miss
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November 29- December 1, 2016 -
MWFPA 112th Annual Convention and 89th Processing Crops Conference. Kalahari Resort & Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells, WI.
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Other Educational Opportunities
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February 15-19, 2016: Industrial Refrigeration Workshop, Charlotte, North Carolina.
This one-week course is intended for those who make decisions such as the purchase of new components, and the enlargement or modification of the plant. Manufacturers of components learn how their products fit into the entire system
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A thread running through the course is the design of a refrigerated distribution center utilizing an ammonia refrigeration system. New technologies available in ammonia refrigeration reducing the ammonia charge will be explored over the course of the workshop. For more information, click here.
May 3-4, 2016: Dryer Technology. Madison Concourse Hotel,
One West Dayton Street, Madison, WI 53703. Expand your knowledge of dryer fundamentals and learn how to apply proven methods to solve problems, and improve energy efficiency and your operations. This course will focus on continuous drying of particulate materials from foods to inorganic chemicals.
For more information, or to enroll, click
here.
May 5, 2016:
Atomization and Spray Technology: Focus on Spray Drying Course.
Madison Concourse Hotel, One West Dayton Street, Madison, WI 53703. Learn about various types of atomizers, as well as how an atomizer works, and how to select an atomizer for specific applications. This course will focus on atomization methods, functions, designs, atomizer performance, and much more. Upon completion of this course, you will be able to compare different atomizers and select the right one for your application. In addition, you will be able to calculate droplet size, cone angle, and other spray characteristics. For enrollment and other information, click
here.
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