Wedoany.com Report on Mar 7th, JBT Marel's Customer Innovation Center in Lakeland, Florida, has been renovated and officially unveiled. As a provider of automation solutions for the food and beverage industry, the center now focuses on testing and scaling sustainable food technologies, covering areas such as fresh produce, ready-to-eat meals, beverages, and dairy products.

The Lakeland Customer Innovation Center is part of a global network where customers can collaborate with experts to test products with real-time equipment, address efficiency and quality issues, and evaluate regulatory compliance. The renovated facility has added microbiology, analytical, and wet chemistry laboratories, enabling in-house assessment of product integrity, safety, and packaging, thereby accelerating the innovation process without relying on external testing or disrupting production.

The center also features a modern, fully glass-enclosed second-floor lounge overlooking the production floor, as well as a virtual reality immersive space for experiencing operational processes. Divided into three zones and equipped with an expanded equipment line, the center supports private demonstrations, training, and customized collaborative meetings. As an FDA- and USDA-recognized process authority, JBT Marel provides validation of processing parameters and compliance support. The renovation reinforces its mission to advance sustainable food production and support the local economy. Customers can schedule on-site or virtual consultations and training without impacting their existing operations.

Brian Deck, CEO of JBT Marel, stated: The Customer Innovation Center enables customers to "test, validate, and scale technologies to feed the world more responsibly." Patrick Canning, General Manager in Lakeland, noted that the renovation reflects an elevated commitment to customer guidance and ongoing investment in the local community, further solidifying the company's role in the field of sustainable food technology.