From production tests of existing products to development of new product concepts and functionalities, Chr. Hansen’s newly built Application and Technology Center in Horsholm, Denmark is designed to handle different project types and sizes, and serve customers and colleagues worldwide. Food products that can be developed and produced in the center include cheeses, fermented milks, emulsified products, UHT sauces, carbonated beverages, ice cream, soups, bouillon, dressings, jellies and hardboiled candies. Also, Chr. Hansen conducts technical training seminars at the center for customers and employees to improve technical and product knowledge. The center will enhance Chr. Hansen’s capabilities in North America, which includes application centers in Milwaukee, Wis., Mahwah, N.J., and Gainesville, Fla. For more information, visit www.chr-hansen.com.

Glanbia Plc, Monroe, Wis., has established a new business unit to integrate the group’s current international nutritional business under one management structure. The new business will be known as Glanbia Nutritionals and will seek to advance the group’s position in the growing global nutritional ingredients market through the development of existing operations as well as through strategic alliances, joint venture agreements and, where appropriate, by acquisition. The new business unit will have an international network of sales offices and production sites. The business is headed by Jerry O'Dea, formerly vice president of Glanbia Ingredients USA. He is joined by a newly established executive management team comprising Andy Fleming, executive v.p., finance and strategy; Steve Singer, v.p., sales and customer service; Robert Beausire, dir. of business development; and Eric Bastian, dir. of research and development. Glanbia services many nutritional markets including infant, medical, sports nutrition and functional foods. A focused development program is currently underway to bring additional nutritional solutions to market. In this context, Glanbia Nutritionals opened a new state-of-the art R&D and applications center in Twin Falls, Idaho, in December. For more information, visit www.glanbianutritionals.com.

It was announced to the members of the Johnson Industries Packaging Group during the opening of the 2002 Pack Expo that Grant Nesheim would be assuming the role of EaglePack Corporation’s new president. Moving to Wisconsin is EaglePack's past-president John deBoer, who will fill Johnson Industries' newly opened position of chief financial officer.

In a recent ruling, the European Court of Justice overturned the European Commission's decision prohibiting the merger of Tetra Laval and Sidel and the related divestiture decision. Gerard Stricher, Sidel’s president and CEO, states that, “the Court's decision represents a key step for Sidel. The ruling is expected to allow Sidel to quickly reap the benefits of an industrial shareholder that would be capable of supporting the Group's long-term development and bolstering the company’s recovery.”