International Production & Processing Expo – IPPE

IPPE

International Production & Processing Expo

January 28 – 30, 2025
Atlanta, GA
Georgia World Congress Center

International Production & Processing Expo, also known as IPPE, is the world’s largest annual poultry, meat, and feed industry event of its kind. A wide range of international decision-makers attend this annual event to network and learn about the industry’s latest technological developments and issues.

IPPE focuses on:

Innovation – bringing together buyers and sellers of the latest technology of products and services to make your business successful.

Education – learning from the experts in free- and fee-based world-class programs on topics that cross-industry interests; Global Reach – attracting more than 8,000 International visitors from 130 countries.

Networking – meeting new and rekindling old relationships with leaders across the industries.

Join us in Atlanta in 2025!

Ledwell at IPPE

Ray Fox

Ledwell Employee Spotlight - September 2019

This September, our employee of the month is Ray Fox! He’s been with Ledwell for a little over 14 years now, having started in April of 2005. His wide range of skill-sets have allowed him to work a variety of different jobs, including working in our Machine Shop, IT Department, Electronics Department, Marketing and now, heading our Graphics Department. With each new task, Ray has been able to come up with new and innovative ways to help Ledwell reach efficiency and support our customers with the best solutions.

His favorite part of being our Graphics guru is the unpredictability of it all. At Ledwell, nearly everything is customized – and that doesn’t exclude our graphics. Updating decals, manuals, and finding out new ways to satisfy a customer’s graphic needs are just a few of the things Ray handles daily. He makes sure each area of Ledwell is taken care of, from the Marketing department to the guys in the shops.

Ray has a lot of pride in his work and in his family. His favorite thing to do, outside of working at Ledwell, is to spend time with his family, no matter the occasion. He’s been married to his wife, Melissa, for 14 years and they have 12 year old son and 7 year old daughter. He tries to harvest a healthy and happy home and loves watching it grow. He invests his time in things like his son’s baseball games and his daughter’s gymnastics and girl scouts participation.

Ledwell Employee Spotlight - September 2019

Crafting Minds

Ledwell offers school tours for local students

The beginning of the school year ignites a drive for sculpting minds and futures. There are infinite possibilities and realities for each and every student across campuses. Not only do college students have to decide where they’re headed, but younger generations are experiencing the same. We tend to start preparing students as early as middle school for their pending occupational success. So, why not give them a first-hand experience at one of their various options?

It’s easier to gauge your opinion of something once you’ve experienced it. That’s why professional tours are so important for young minds. How are they supposed to know what they like and don’t like if never given the opportunity to experience that environment? Showing students what options are available can be encouraging. Show them what the community has to offer.

Ledwell offers tours for students to come and see the value, work, and possibilities present for them to take advantage of. Providing students with options and showing real life career examples is such a valuable lesson. Present them with a chance to see the diverse skills used in manufacturing up close and personal. Touring Ledwell will open their minds to a whole new world of career choices. Give us a call at 888-533-9355 to book your tour today!

Texarkana’s Bountiful Harvest

Ledwell supports Harvest Regional Food Bank

According to Feeding America, “40 million people struggle with hunger in the United States, including more than 12 million children.”

This national non-profit organization leads hundreds of others with the belief that the answer lies within each community. How easy is it to make a difference in the lives of others – to really offer a better tomorrow? Well, in Texarkana it may just be a car ride away or even a button click. Harvest Regional Food Bank, a Feeding Hunger affiliate, is a non-profit organization based in Texarkana, serving 10 counties in Southwest Arkansas and Northeast Texas. To help families in need, the organization holds food drives, events, accepts donations, and more. They utilize over 100 partner agencies to distribute their stock, all of which their nine employees manage to store and sort.

This September, Ledwell Machinery and Ledwell Office is hosting a peanut butter drive that will help ensure that every kid participating in the Backpack Food Program has something to eat over long holiday breaks. According to Camille Wrinkle, Harvest Texarkana’s CEO and Executive Director, “Teachers identify students in their classrooms each year that may not be receiving enough food at home and recommend them for the Backpack Food Program.” Participants of the school’s backpack program will be sent home with a backpack full of nutritional foods every weekend and holiday break to help parents and students. Last year, this program reached more than 900 children across nearly 40 school campuses.

Ledwell supports Harvest Regional Food Bank

To contribute, you can bring small jars of peanut butter to Ledwell Machinery, located on 910 E Loop Dr. If you’d like to help Harvest, you can sign up to volunteer, donate, or drop off a jar of peanut butter! To learn more about the organization, visit their website at www.harvestregionalfoodbank.org or find them on Facebook.

Piecing Together your Ledwell Puzzle

Ledwell Parts Department

Every piece of Ledwell equipment is a unique, custom-fit solution made for you. Much like the parts and components that keep your machine moving, we want to work closely with you to get optimal results.

To get your job done in the best way, Ledwell uses a collection of the most reliable parts. We understand that these pieces age, like any equipment, and often need care, maintenance, or even replacement. You need somewhere to turn when this happens, and our Department has you covered.

There are many items on your equipment that can be easily replaced, sometimes increasing the life of your unit. We offer parts replacements for all industry equipment from filters, pumps, lights, and so on. There is always a parts professional on hand during business hours to assist you – and they’re happy to help!

And the best part is Ledwell shipping is fast and painless with next-day air availability.

Ledwell Parts Department

We understand there’s nothing like a well-oiled machine. That’s why our Parts Department and Service Department work hand in hand. You can receive service and parts replacements at any of our Ledwell service centers, or you can check in with our Warranty Department to authorize the service facility of your choosing.

Ledwell Parts

So, if there’s something wrong and you’re not quite sure what your next step should be, give us a call, and we’ll be sure to answer any questions you might have.

After all, you are Ledwell’s most valued part!

Tinkertown: Discovering Innovation and Creativity

Ledwell supports local museums

How do you grow a world of prosperity and cultivation? You invest time into knowledge and education to those set to one day run the world. Educating the minds of today’s youth is one good way to ensure a bright future full of successful and thriving communities. The Texarkana Museums System comes together annually, with the help of local businesses and civic organizations, to present Tinkertown! This is a one-day event where kids from all over can discover innovation and creativity in their own way. The event hosts several exhibits where children can put their thriving minds to work.

This year, the event had a turnout of around 350. People were allowed to make ice cream, learn about local fire departments, discover the molecular difference between water and oil, and so much more. The event was held in separate buildings due to a large turnout of participants and inclement weather. Nonetheless, the smiling faces of individuals of all ages were proof enough of the benefits and riches this event brought and brings yearly to the youth of Texarkana.

In the end, the event turned out to be successful. To learn more about events like this in Texarkana, visit gotxk.org!

Ledwell supports local museums

Setting a Standard in Agriculture

AFIA facility of the year

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) is America’s Feed Industry representative body, ensuring that current business, policy, and other related items are suitable for the industry as well as those people in and around it. They represent company types from feed production to equipment manufacturing, as established in 1985. The goal of this foundation is to provide “…contribution to food and feed safety, nutrition and the environment, and it plays a critical role in the production of healthy, wholesome meat, milk, fish and eggs.” It’s for this reason that the organization recognizes a facility of the year annually.

AFIA and Feedstuffs Feed Facility of the Year (FFY) program picks a U.S. facility to stand as a model for all other facilities. The chosen facility has gone above and beyond in the area of health, safety, and more. Other companies are encouraged to compare themselves and shoot for their excellence. In opposition to previous year, 2017 brought an opportunity for all related facilities to become a member, deeming it okay for “…non-AFIA members…” to participate “…in the bench-marking portion of the program…”

On June 10th, the program began accepting applications for 2019 nominees. You must turn in your filled out application by September 6. The application fee for members is $100 while non-members pay $250. For more information, visit AFIA.

Summer 2019

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Learn to Avoid the Burn

Summer Sun Tips

It’s summertime, and everyone’s looking forward to fun days in the sun! Catching a few rays can be relaxing and feel great, but it’s essential to consider summer skin protection.

Industrial work can be hard on the body by itself. Adding the sun to this equation and the results can be damaging in more ways than one. Knowing how to keep yourself hydrated and your skin protected can be a lifesaver during those middle months of the year.

Here are a few tips on summer skin protection:

First things first, stay hydrated!

Water is vital for everyone, as it keeps the skin healthy and the body moving. During the summer months, it’s especially crucial to avoid dehydration. Your body tends to sweat more during this time in an attempt to cool itself, causing you to lose the necessary fluids that keep your body functioning smoothly.

How much water one consumes per day depends on the individual. Harvard Health Publishing says the minimum requirement is 4 to 6 cups daily. Be sure to understand all of your health risks and necessities related to hydration, and always consult your doctor with any questions!

Next, the CDC suggests limiting sun exposure.

No, this doesn’t mean avoiding the outdoors entirely. After spending much of the past winter months indoors, many of us are dying to go outside! The CDC wants us to stay safe while doing so. For this purpose, they suggest three precautions: staying in shaded areas, wearing clothing that protects your skin, and protecting your eyes at all times. These options can help lower the risk of skin damage, skin cancer, eye damage, and other dangers from the sun.

Always wear sunscreen.

The CDC suggests using at least 15 SPF at all times, as this will provide some protection to your skin. You’ll also have to be sure to reapply throughout the day because sunscreen wears off. Be sure to find a product that works well with your skin, as various brands can affect skin types differently.

Be aware of your surroundings.

Environmental factors such as snow, water, and sand reflect the sun’s rays, emphasizing their ability to damage. The EPA says this can cause sunburn, increasing your chances of dehydration. If you know you’ll be around any of these conditions, wear sunscreen containing over 15 SPF to counter the effects.

Always check the expected UV Index daily.

Doing so can help you plan your daily activities to stay safe. Both the National Weather Service and the EPA broadcast this forecast daily online. Knowing the impending heat and sun exposure can help prevent unnecessary damage.

 

Protecting your skin, eyes, and body from the sun is always important. These few tips can make a huge difference. Be sure to educate yourself on the effects of sun damage and what you can do to prevent these sometimes permanent outcomes.

Jay Farris

Ledwell Employee Spotlight - July 2019

Jay Farris has worked for us for 24 years, in departments such as Feed Body, Truck Shop, and most recently, Quality Control. At his current position in Quality Control, he inspects every piece of equipment that leaves our facility providing Ledwell standard of excellence. However, that’s not his only superpower. Jay also serves as our Fire Sales Representative. He makes sure that firefighters and communities all around can get a reliable unit to fight off fires and improve rescue services in rural areas.

Jay has been a volunteer Fireman in Hooks, TX, for 22 years now and currently serves as the Assistant Chief. He has a personal hand in ensuring that their equipment is safe and ready for action when necessary. His favorite Ledwell projects are those involving Fire Tankers. He remembers Mr. Ledwell giving him the complement of a lifetime after working on one – “Son, it’s a good-looking truck.”

Jay has been married for 31 years to Lisa and they have one daughter, 27-year-old Burgandy. Together, his family really likes to go to the lake, hang out and fish. They have a lake house where they enjoy quality family time and relaxing summer nights. Family is important to Jay – if he were stranded on a desert island he says the three things he’d bring are his daughter, wife, and a fishing pole! Maybe that’s why the fire industry is so important to Jay. It’s his way of helping families all around stay together and stay safe. Way to go Jay, and congratulations on earning employee of the month for July!