This episode of SNEED-CAST is brought to you by the SNEED-JET® SI-X30 Black Ink Cartridge: https://sneedcoding.com/collections/sneed-jet-infinity-inks/products/sneed-jet-si-x30-black

Thanks for joining us for another episode of SNEED-CAST; the show where we’re keeping you up to date with the ever changing world of manufacturing, processing, packaging, coding and so much more. Today we’ll be discussing topics ranging from the strain on manufacturers’ labor forces as ICE ramps up immigration enforcement, to Congress questioning whether Boar's Head’s deli meat plant, tied to a deadly listeria outbreak, is ready to reopen. We’ll also dive into how new U.S. tariffs and import restrictions on organic sugar could send organic food prices soaring, and wrap up with a federal judge’s decision to block the USDA from collecting data on SNAP applicants in 21 state

Articles:

1) ICE Enforcement Strains Manufacturers’ Labor Force

https://www.packagingdigest.com/food-packaging/ice-enforcement-strains-manufacturers-labor-force?

2) Congress Asks Whether Boar's Head Deli Meat Plant Tied to Deadly Outbreak Will Be Fit to Reopen

www.foodmanufacturing.com/safety/news/22950280/congress-asks-whether-boars-head-deli-meat-plant-tied-to-deadly-outbreak-will-be-fit-to-reopen?

3) Organic Food Prices Could Soar as U.S. Imposes Import Restrictions, New Tariffs on Specialty Sugar

www.foodmanufacturing.com/ingredients/news/22950572/organic-food-prices-could-soar-as-us-imposes-import-restrictions-new-tariffs-on-specialty-sugar?

4) Judge Blocks USDA from Collecting Data About SNAP Applicants in 21 States

www.foodmanufacturing.com/consumer-trends/news/22950709/judge-blocks-usda-from-collecting-data-about-snap-applicants-in-21-states?

In this episode of the SNEED-CAST, host Alexa welcomes back Haley Appleby, faculty member at Clemson University and co-director of the Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics. Haley shares updates on the Institute’s 15-year milestone, new lab upgrades, and the launch of Clemson’s Sustainability Leadership Program, which connects students with industry leaders in packaging and sustainability.

Together, Alexa and Haley dive into how real-world experience—from Apple to Fisher-Price—shapes classroom learning, why networking and storytelling matter for students entering the workforce, and what’s next for packaging education and innovation.

If you’re passionate about sustainability, packaging science, or the future of workforce development, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

⏱️ Chapter Timestamps

00:00 – Cold open: Laser-etching avocados?!

00:30 – Welcome back Haley Appleby

00:50 – Haley’s role at Clemson & the Sonoco Institute

02:08 – Launching the Sustainability Leadership Program

03:25 – Networking, panels, and mentorship for students

05:05 – Crafting your sustainability story (with Dr. Hurley)

06:40 – Upcoming session: The business case for sustainability

07:15 – Bringing Apple & Fisher-Price experience into the classroom

08:07 – Teaching professionalism & critical thinking as job skills

08:34 – Sponsor: SNEED-JET® XL printer

09:10 – Sonoco Institute’s 15-year milestone

09:59 – Growth in continuing education & industry seminars

10:51 – Upcoming paperboard packaging seminars & lab upgrades

11:17 – END – Looking ahead at expansion and innovation

From French Luxury to California Clean: How Odacité Skincare Scaled with Smart Operations

Clean beauty isn't just a trend—it's a necessity that's reshaping how skincare brands approach everything from ingredient sourcing to production workflows. As consumer demand for transparency and effectiveness continues to grow, beauty companies are discovering that operational excellence is just as crucial as product formulation.

In this episode of SNEED-CAST, host Alexa sits down with Laurent Meira, General Manager at Odacité Skincare, to explore how a French luxury skincare brand successfully scaled its handcrafted operations in California. With over 20 years of leadership experience across industries—from pet products to luxury fashion—Laurent brings a unique perspective on operational challenges in the beauty space. She shares how Odacité evolved from kitchen-crafted serums to a full skincare line available through 600+ retailers, while maintaining their commitment to clean, effective formulations.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction

07:28 - Product Evolution

11:40 - Cultural Integration

12:45 - Quality Control Challenges

14:21 - Coding Solutions Journey

17:48 - Technology Implementation

20:24 - Operational Benefits

25:02 - Growth and Expansion

25:40 - Brand Differentiation

This episode of SNEED-CAST is brought to you by our SNEED-PACK® Rotary Accumulation Table: https://sneedcoding.com/collections/rotary-accumulation-tables/products/rotary-accumulation-table

Thanks for joining us for another episode of SNEED-CAST; the show where we’re keeping you up to date with the ever changing world of manufacturing, processing, packaging, coding and so much more. Today we’ll be discussing topics ranging from the extended US-China trade truce and its impact on manufacturers, to Kellogg’s bold move to eliminate artificial dyes from its cereals by 2027. We’ll also dive into New Jersey’s $500 million manufacturing incentive program, the Federal Reserve’s ongoing debate over inflation versus job growth, and the latest on the stalled global treaty talks to combat plastic pollution.

Articles:

1) U.S., China Extend Trade Truce Another 90 Days

www.foodmanufacturing.com/supply-chain/news/22947669/us-china-extend-trade-truce-another-90-days?

2) Kellogg Says It Will Remove Artificial Dyes from Cereals by the End of 2027

www.foodmanufacturing.com/ingredients/news/22947983/kellogg-says-it-will-remove-artificial-dyes-from-cereals-by-the-end-of-2027?

3) New Jersey Creating $500M Tax Credit Program That Incentivizes Manufacturing

www.foodmanufacturing.com/capital-investment/news/22948010/new-jersey-launches-manufacturing-incentive-program?

4) Inflation or Jobs: Federal Reserve Officials Are Divided Over Competing Concerns

www.foodmanufacturing.com/consumer-trends/news/22948005/inflation-or-jobs-federal-reserve-officials-are-divided-over-competing-concerns?

5) Talks on landmark plastic pollution treaty end without an agreement

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/plastic-pollution-treaty-talks-no-agreement/

This episode of the SNEED-CAST is brought to you by the SNEED-JET® Freedom 41:

What happens when packaging goes hilariously wrong? In this episode of The SNEED-CAST, Alexa sits down with John and Daniel from the Sneed sales team to react to some of the funniest (and most baffling) packaging blunders out there. From mislabeled butter to “shrimp-flavored crack,” we’re breaking down the good, the bad, and the downright confusing design fails that somehow made it onto store shelves.

Together, we rank each fail on our custom scale—ranging from simple “Overpacked” mistakes to the ultimate “WTF” disasters that make you wonder how these products ever got approved. Along the way, expect plenty of laughs, hot takes, and maybe even a few debates about whether some of these designs are actually genius in disguise.

👉 Don’t forget to drop your favorite packaging fail in the comments below!

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro

00:30 – Salted Sweet Butter Fail

03:00 – African Pepper Sauce “Lost in Translation”

05:20 – Overpacked SD Card

07:00 – Deceptive Container Design

10:30 – Fine Art or Fine Fart?

13:00 – Butterfly Training Ball Blunder

20:00 – Upside-Down Fanta Can

24:00 – Super Glue Deception

27:00 – “Only Puke” Snacks

29:00 – Fit Buns or Fit Abs?

33:00 – Shrimp-Flavored Crack

35:00 – Dinosaur Toy Disaster

36:20 – Wrap Up

This episode of SNEED-CAST is brought to you by our Dual Guide Rail Conveyor: https://sneedcoding.com/collections/conveyors/products/inkjet-coding-conveyor-dual-guide-rail

Thanks for joining us for another episode of SNEED-CAST; the show where we’re keeping you up to date with the ever changing world of manufacturing, processing, packaging, coding and so much more. Today we’ll be discussing topics ranging from the USMCA tariff exemptions that shield Canadian and Mexican goods from steep U.S. tariffs, to the rising import taxes in the U.S. and their impact on consumers and businesses. We’ll also wrap up with a deep dive into the global negotiations in Geneva aimed at addressing the world’s spiraling plastic pollution crisis.

Articles:

1) Trump's sweeping new tariffs take effect against dozens of countries

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx23jmvn5yzo

2) Crucial Exemption Allows Majority of Canadian and Mexican Goods to Be Shipped to U.S. Without Tariffs

www.foodmanufacturing.com/supply-chain/news/22947313/crucial-exemption-allows-majority-of-canadian-and-mexican-goods-to-be-shipped-to-us-without-tariffs?

3) What Consumers Can Expect from Import Taxes as the U.S. Sets New Tariff Rates

www.foodmanufacturing.com/supply-chain/news/22947128/what-consumers-can-expect-from-import-taxes-as-the-us-sets-new-tariff-rates?

4) Nations Gather in Geneva to Again Confront the World's Spiraling Plastic Pollution Crisis

www.foodmanufacturing.com/packaging/news/22947245/nations-gather-in-geneva-to-again-confront-the-worlds-spiraling-plastic-pollution-crisis?

This episode of the SNEED-CAST is brought to you by the SNEED-JET® Freedom 41. Learn more: https://sneedcoding.com/collections/frontpage/products/sneed-jet%C2%AE-freedom-41-4-inch-case-coder

How do you take an idea for packaging and turn it into a product proudly displayed on store shelves? That’s exactly what Paul Jenkins, founder of ThePackHub, reveals in this episode of SNEED-CAST. With over a decade of experience driving packaging innovation, Paul shares powerful insights into the challenges, strategies, and innovations in today’s packaging landscape.

Paul details the unique mission of ThePackHub, which bridges the gap between packaging ideas and market-ready solutions. He introduces their core offering, the Innovation Zone—a robust database containing more than 10,000 packaging initiatives worldwide. This resource is a game-changer for businesses, large and small, looking to stay on top of the latest packaging trends.

This episode of SNEED-CAST is brought to you by our SNEED-PACK® Small Box Auto Flap Folding Case Sealer: https://sneedcoding.com/products/sneed-pack-small-box-auto-flap-folding-case-sealer?srsltid=AfmBOoqQWh1xs1pnX0mPC_0Xb3XCuM919rjuF5X8sGokXk-cwEkYE5ZC

Thanks for joining us for another episode of SNEED-CAST; the show where we’re keeping you up to date with the ever changing world of manufacturing, processing, packaging, coding and so much more. Today we’ll be discussing topics ranging from the Trump’s administration’s lawsuit against California over egg prices and animal welfare laws, to the challenges facing U.S. manufacturing under former President Biden’s subsidies and President Trump’s tariffs. We’ll also dive into the newly announced 30% tariffs on goods from the European Union and Mexico, the U.S. government’s 17% duty on fresh Mexican tomatoes, and the broader implications of these trade policies on global markets and American consumers.

Articles:

1) Nutella Maker Ferrero Plans to Buy Century-Old Cereal Maker WK Kellogg for $3.1 Billion

www.foodmanufacturing.com/capital-investment/news/22945179/nutella-maker-ferrero-plans-to-buy-centuryold-cereal-maker-wk-kellogg-for-31-billion?

2) Trump Administration Sues California Over Egg Prices, Blames Animal Welfare Laws

www.foodmanufacturing.com/ingredients/news/22945393/trump-administration-sues-california-over-egg-prices-blames-animal-welfare-laws?

3) U.S. Manufacturers Stuck in Rut Despite Subsidies from Biden, Protection from Trump

www.foodmanufacturing.com/supply-chain/news/22945412/manufacturing-challenges-biden-subsidies-vs-trump-tariffs?

4) Trump Announces 30% Tariffs Against EU, Mexico

www.foodmanufacturing.com/supply-chain/news/22945415/trump-announces-30-tariffs-against-eu-mexico?

5) U.S. Imposes a 17% Duty on Fresh Mexican Tomatoes in Hopes of Boosting Domestic Production

www.foodmanufacturing.com/supply-chain/news/22945514/us-imposes-a-17-duty-on-fresh-mexican-tomatoes-in-hopes-of-boosting-domestic-production?

The recent twists and turns in Texas' hemp legislation have left industry professionals and enthusiasts speculating about the future. On this episode of SNEED-CAST, Quinton pairs up with Ken to welcome back Chelsie Spencer, a legal expert in the cannabis industry. Chelsie, a founding partner at Ritter Spencer Chang and recognized as a super lawyer in the cannabis space, shares insights on pivotal topics concerning Texas' hemp ecosystem.The discussion kicks off with a deep-dive into Governor Abbott's recent veto of SB3, a controversial bill proposing a ban on hemp in Texas. Chelsea provides invaluable commentary on the legal, economic, and social implications of such legislation, highlighting the industry backlash and the significant influence of conservative voices urging a veto. With an extensive recount of recent special legislative sessions and industry-wide advocacy efforts, she examines how decision-makers weigh public perception, policy, and unintended outcomes in their approach to hemp regulation.Chapters 00:00 - Introduction:00:36 - Governor Abbott's Veto of SB302:25 - Industry Advocacy and Media Influence 05:01 - Legislation Challenges and Hemp Regulation08:03 - Lieutenant Governor's Role in Shaping Policy 15:20 - Legal Perspectives on Hemp Bans and Litigation24:25 - The Importance of Public Education and Conversations 31:08 - Looking Forward - The Special Session Effects33:07 - Final Thoughts and Advocacy

This episode of SNEED-CAST is brought to you by our SNEED-PACK® CE 30 High Speed Small Box Case Erector: https://sneedcoding.com/collections/case-box-erectors/products/sneed-pack-ce-30hs-high-speed-small-box-case-erector

Thanks for joining us for another episode of SNEED-CAST; the show where we’re keeping you up to date with the ever changing world of manufacturing, processing, packaging, coding and so much more. Today we’ll be discussing topics ranging from President Trump’s new trade agreement with China to his sweeping 25% tariffs on imports from Japan, South Korea, and a dozen other nations. We’ll also examine growing concerns from SNAP and Medicaid recipients as federal safety net programs face dramatic changes under recently passed legislation, and wrap up with the controversy surrounding RFK Jr.’s endorsement of a government meal provider whose ultra processed offerings clash with his public health platform.

Articles:

1) Trump Says U.S. Has Signed Deal With China on Trade

www.foodmanufacturing.com/supply-chain/news/22944484/trump-says-us-has-signed-deal-with-china-on-trade?

2) Medicaid, Food Aid Recipients Worry About Safety Net Cuts

www.foodmanufacturing.com/consumer-trends/news/22944884/medicaid-food-aid-recipients-worry-about-safety-net-cuts-in-bill-sent-to-trump?

3) Trump Sets 25% Tariffs on Japan and South Korea, New Import Taxes on 12 Other Nations

www.foodmanufacturing.com/supply-chain/news/22944963/trump-imposes-25-tariffs-on-japan-south-korea-12-other-nations?

4) RFK Jr.-Promoted Food Company Makes Meals That Are Ultraprocessed

www.foodmanufacturing.com/ingredients/news/22945115/rfk-jrpromoted-food-company-makes-meals-that-are-ultraprocessed