HVTDC Providing Solutions for Regional Food and Beverage Manufacturers
The Hudson Valley region boasts one of the most dynamic bases for the food and beverage industry in the U.S. While fostering interest among locals, the emerging industry plays a vital role in the region’s economic growth and success. In recent years, it has experienced rapid expansion in size, demand, and appreciation, a widespread development made evident especially by its thriving craft breweries, as well as its bakeries, wineries, distilleries, and cider mills. Also included among the production processing businesses are local equipment, container, and ingredient manufacturers providing the crucial pieces that help grow and sustain the industry.
The Mid-Hudson Regional Development Council designated the food and beverage industry as a priority cluster. Meanwhile, Governor Andrew Cuomo has concentrated much of his efforts on the industry’s growth in the state, while Representative Sean Patrick Maloney proposed what’s known as The Small Brewer Reinvestment and Expanding Workforce Act in an effort to decrease taxes for Hudson Valley entrepreneurs in this field.
The Hudson Valley Technology Development Center (HVTDC), recognizing an opportunity for economic growth stemming from the food and beverage industry, has vowed to help local businesses expand its footprint in the region. HVTDC is looking to develop collaboration with support industries and help food and beverage companies become sustainable and profitable economic forces. We look forward to providing those in the industry with the resources needed to grow, and the regional support required to thrive and remain sustainable.
Whether in business management, such as metrics support or supply chain management, or general education and training in Lean applications and management skills, HVTDC is eager to serve as the premier solution provider to the food and beverage industry in the region. Our engineers can assist in helping businesses attain or retain facility and process certifications, such as Safety-SQF, cGMP, HACCP, and several more. HVTDC also provides engineering services in areas such as remote electronic monitoring, environmental management, automation, product and process development, and process controls.
Over the past several years, HVTDC has come to the aid of a number of food and beverage manufacturers with assistance in Lean training, business planning, work station design, facility layouts, and waste reduction. Not long ago, HVTDC teamed up with Greyston Bakery to provide Lean support and assistance, a collaboration that has enabled the Yonkers, NY bakery to attain greater overall efficiency in their day-to-day production practices. The culmination of these efforts resulted in a cost savings total of $68,000 and prevented the need for the bakery to invest $45,000 in production practices. It also created ten new jobs and generated a $100,000 investment in employee development and information systems. These improvements were the driving force behind Greyston’s application for a significant Workforce Development Institute grant, which was awarded to them last spring.
HVTDC demonstrated their commitment to fostering success in the region by hosting, along with Prism eSolutions, a seminar on the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The event, led by Martin Ziegler, a certified FSPCA Preventive Controls for Human Food Lead Instructor, was held at State University of New York (SUNY) New Paltz on Tuesday, June 21. The seminar looked to set business owners on the right path and provide a forum for discussion on who is affected by FSMA, in what capacity, and the next steps to achieve compliance.
For more information on HVTDC’s business growth services or anything else of interest, please contact HVTDC Engineering Support Specialist, Kate Dube, at 845-391-8214, or kate.dube@hvtdc.org.