
Key Technology Introduces Global View™ for its VERYX digital sorters
March 05, 2021
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.

Washington Potato lays off 62 workers at Warden facility
February 12, 2021
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.

Washington Potato Company Dehydration Plant in Warden destroyed by fire.
January 22, 2021
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.

PepsiCo leverages AI to create an intelligent monitoring system that improves Cheetos consistency
January 05, 2021
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.

Key Technology Appoints John Dykstra as Director of Service Operations – Americas and Asia Pacific
December 02, 2020
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.

US potato packer Skone & Connors installs Tong grading and washing equipment
November 29, 2020
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.

Supported by potato industry stakeholders, Washington State University expands research on soil health
November 13, 2020
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.

Key Technology Introduces Zephyr™ Next-Generation Horizontal-Motion Conveyor
October 20, 2020
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.

Expansion Potato Processing Plant McCain Foods in Othello to resume early October
September 29, 2020
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.

Economic hit of COVID-19 to the Washington State Potato Sector estimated at USD 1 Billion
September 11, 2020
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.