POY Finalist: Drum unloaders
Finalist in Manual Material Handling in Plant Engineering’s 2011 Product of the Year competition
Edited by Gust Gianos, Plant Engineering
The 
SaniForce drum unloader can evacuate medium- to high-viscosity products like tomato paste and peanut butter from 55-gal (208 l) drums without diluting the product. This technology replaces manual hand-scooping and expensive bin-dumping systems. SaniForce drum unloaders can achieve a 99% evacuation rate from straight-sided and tapered drums utilizing a follower plate and inflatable wiper seal.
The drum unloaders can accommodate piston and diaphragm pumps for maximum flexibility. All pump options feature a quick knock-down design for easy cleaning and a liner guard to prevent aseptic bags from entering the pump.
Graco Inc.
View all finalists in the Manual Material Handling category
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2012 Salary Survey
In a year when manufacturing continued to lead the economic rebound, it makes sense that plant manager bonuses rebounded. Plant Engineering’s annual Salary Survey shows both wages and bonuses rose in 2012 after a retreat the year before.
Average salary across all job titles for plant floor management rose 3.5% to $95,446, and bonus compensation jumped to $15,162, a 4.2% increase from the 2010 level and double the 2011 total, which showed a sharp drop in bonus.