Potato News from Washington

August 02, 2021

Key Technology Introduces Key Discovery, a new Software Suite for its Sorting Systems

Key Technology introduces Key Discovery™. This suite of software solutions transforms Key’s digital sorting systems into IIoT connected devices that collect, analyze and share data while sorting product.

July 05, 2021

Key Technology Introduces Marathon® Vibratory Conveyors with Monobeam Construction

Key Technology, a member of the Duravant family of operating companies, introduces its Marathon® vibratory conveyors with monobeam construction.

Global View enables a sorter to consider each object in its entirety when making classification and sort decisions.

March 05, 2021

Key Technology Introduces Global View™ for its VERYX digital sorters

Key Technology introduces Global View™, a patented new software-driven capability for their VERYX® digital sorters. This unique software optimizes product quality, increases yield, collects more sophisticated data and reduces the need for manual inspection.

March 02, 2021

Jake Blauer joins WSU’s potato research group

Jake Blauer is the newly hired post-harvest potato physiologist at Washington State University.

February 12, 2021

Washington Potato lays off 62 workers at Warden facility

The Washington Potato Co. facility in Warden still smolders the next morning and smoke fills the air after a fire broke out in a potato dehydrator the afternoon of Jan. 21, prompting a response from fire departments across Grant and neighboring Adams counties.

Overnight, the Washington Potato Company potato dehydration plant in Warden, Washington, burned down.

January 22, 2021

Washington Potato Company Dehydration Plant in Warden destroyed by fire.

The Washington Potato Company potato dehydration plant in Warden, Washington, was destroyed by a massive fire overnight. The fire caused the immediate evacuation of about a third of nearby town of Warden (pop: 2700) for several hours due to concerns that an ammonia tank located in the plant could burst.

January 05, 2021

PepsiCo leverages AI to create an intelligent monitoring system that improves Cheetos consistency

To the untrained eye (and mouth), a Cheetos Snack is a Cheetos Snack. But even die-hard snack lovers might not realize the lengths to which engineers go to ensure each bite has the optimal crunch, lightness, and shape.

December 02, 2020

Key Technology Appoints John Dykstra as Director of Service Operations – Americas and Asia Pacific

Key Technology, a member of the Duravant family of operating companies, announces the appointment of John Dykstra as Director of Service Operations for North America, South America, and the Asia-Pacific region.

November 29, 2020

US potato packer Skone & Connors installs Tong grading and washing equipment

Potato packer Skone & Connors installs Tong grading and washing equipment. The custom-built potato grading and washing solution enabled this US based company to increase their sizing capabilities of both dirty and washed crop, whilst reducing waste.

November 13, 2020

Supported by potato industry stakeholders, Washington State University expands research on soil health

Launching new research in support of Washington potato growers, Washington State University is partnering with industry leaders to study healthier, more sustainable, and productive soils.

October 20, 2020

Key Technology Introduces Zephyr™ Next-Generation Horizontal-Motion Conveyor

Featuring a patented direct drive with a counterbalance system, Zephyr's unique motion profile gently moves product with no segregation or stratification and at higher capacities than can be achieved with other horizontal motion conveyors.

Construction Potato Processing Plant Expansion McCain Foods - Othello to resume early October

September 29, 2020

Expansion Potato Processing Plant McCain Foods in Othello to resume early October

McCain Foods USA announced the restart of construction of its 170,000-square-foot expansion at its Othello, Washington potato processing facility. Paused due to COVID-19 restrictions, construction will resume in early October.

Key Technology announces the appointment of Marco Azzaretti as Director of Marketing.

September 25, 2020

Key Technology Appoints Marco Azzaretti as Director of Marketing

Key Technology announces the appointment of Marco Azzaretti as Director of Marketing.

The WSU study estimates the reduced potato acreage lowers production by 13% or 729,120 tons of potatoes, equivalent to the weight of about 76 Space Needles.

September 11, 2020

Economic hit of COVID-19 to the Washington State Potato Sector estimated at USD 1 Billion

A WSU study has estimated the 2020 economic losses from potato production and processing in Washington. The demand shocks of COVID-19 resulted in a hit of roughly $1 billion dollars in gross state product.

September 01, 2020

The Increasing Role of Digital Sorters

Powered by Industry 4.0 methodologies and IIoT (the Industrial Internet of Things), modern sorters are increasingly being utilized as data centers at the same time they sort product and are uniquely qualified to contribute to the data revolution.

August 06, 2020

Key Technology shares Maintenance Tips for Vibratory Conveyors

Regular inspection of sorters and shakers ensures efficient operation and prevents unscheduled downtime. To help prepare you, Key Technology just shared information on their comprehensive equipment audits and spotlighting the unsung heroes of your plant – shakers!

May 12, 2020

In french fry heartland, spring turns bitter as coronavirus cuts into global demand

This year, this is a season when dreams die. Due to an epic potato glut that imploded his market, he has decided to do what was once unthinkable — destroy part of his crop rather than sink more dollars into cultivation.

March 13, 2020

Key Technology Appoints Jesus Acevedo as Area Sales Manager for the Pacific Northwest United States

Key Technology has appointed Jesus Acevedo as Area Sales Manager for the Pacific Northwest United States.

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