The Equipment, Automation and Technology Show for Food and Beverage (EATS) marks the next evolution of what was long known as Process Expo. Now under a refreshed identity, it continues to serve as a central meeting point for professionals working across the food and beverage manufacturing chain. Taking place at Chicago’s McCormick Place, EATS brings together equipment suppliers, system integrators, and processors to explore how automation, digital control, and sustainable engineering are reshaping production lines.

For the potato sector, EATS offers a valuable window into how upstream and downstream unit operations — washing, frying, coating, packaging and more — can be connected through smarter line design. Several exhibitors will highlight technologies that demonstrate this integration, underscoring how food production is becoming increasingly data-driven and efficiency-focused. Potato Processing International will be available at the press stands during the event, offering visitors the chance to explore the latest industry insights while keeping up with developments from across the global potato supply chain.

This issue mirrors many of the themes that define EATS. We take a closer look at advances in continuous frying systems designed to improve oil management and energy efficiency; at coating formulations developed to maintain crispness and texture in delivery-oriented markets; and at storage strategies that help maintain quality through increasingly variable harvest conditions.

Alongside these process-focused articles, we present a spotlight on sustainability, examining how processors are adapting to new environmental standards and expectations across their operations. A dedicated feature explores the rapidly expanding ready-to-eat potato category, where convenience, quality, and shelf stability are driving innovation in both product design and processing technology. Rounding out the issue is an overview of current market conditions in North America, offering perspective on production trends, investment priorities, and trade developments shaping the regional outlook for 2025 and beyond.

Together, these features reflect an industry that continues to refine its processes, from harvest to finished product — combining technological precision with practical know-how to deliver consistent, high-quality results at scale.

You can read the rest of the articles from the latest issue of Potato Processing International magazine by clicking here.