Flexicon’s newest PNEUMATI-CON® dilute phase vacuum conveying system is designed to facilitate dust-free manual dumping and the conveying of materials from small bags or sacks. Additionally, it includes the capability to unload materials from containers using a handheld pick-up wand.

Mounted on a carbon steel access platform, the bag dumping station includes a stainless steel hopper with a dust hood that features a glove box. Using the gloves, the operator pulls bags of material from an adjacent table through an opening in the hood’s sidewall and onto a grate. Each bag is emptied without any material contacting the operator's skin. Emptied bags are then passed through the opposite side wall opening into a bag compactor.

Dust generated from bag dumping, disposal, and compaction is drawn away from the operator and onto the system's two cartridge filters. Timed blasts of compressed air shake the dust build-up on the filter surfaces, which falls into the hopper. Filters are readily accessed and for removal and replacement.

The compactor’s cylinder can compress up to 80 bags into a removable bin. All compactor access points are equipped with safety interlocks that prevent operation of the compactor unless all points are closed.

A handheld pickup wand is used to unload open containers from floor level.  The wand is plumbed to the conveying line via a flexible hose, constructed of clear PVC with a static conductive wire and is compliant with regulations for handling dry food and pharmaceutical materials.

Both lines converge at a two-way diverter valve, which directs the flow of material from either source to the filter receiver. The filter receiver is typically mounted above a material use point and separates solids from the airstream using filter media and gravity. A rotary airlock valve at the base of the filter receiver meters the material into the receiving vessel. The filter receiver also features reverse-pulse jet filter cleaning to dislodge accumulated particles from the filter surfaces.

All conveying lines can be routed vertically and in any horizontal direction. They can also pass through openings in walls or ceilings.

Coquitlam, B.C., January 7, 2026 – , one of Canada’s fastest-growing yerba mate and kombucha beverage brands, has officially transitioned 100 percent of its manufacturing to Canada, marking a significant investment in domestic production and a new chapter in the company’s long-term growth.

Its kombucha line continues to be brewed at Cooler Co.’s facility in Coquitlam, B.C., while its yerba mate is now produced at National Dry in Toronto, Ontario, an organic-certified facility capable of producing up to 800 cans per minute. Together, the two sites form an all-Canadian, coast-to-coast production model.

“Cooler Co. is incredibly proud to bring all of our production home,” says Dan Larsen, Co-Founder and CEO of Cooler Co. “This move represents more than just a shift in geography — it’s a statement of who we are. By manufacturing entirely within Canada, we’re reducing our environmental footprint, strengthening local partnerships, and ensuring every can reflects the innovation, integrity, and energy of the communities that inspire us.”

Cooler Co.’s kombucha is brewed with a focus on freshness, local sourcing, and supporting regional food systems. Made using high-quality, locally grown fruits, flowers, and herbs, the naturally fermented beverage contains organic acids, antioxidants, amino acids, enzymes, and B vitamins that may support digestion, energy, mood, and immunity. Available flavours include Cherry Cream Soda, Peach Basil, Blueberry Ginger, Lavender Lemonade, Raspberry Rose, and Strawberry Mojito.

Its yerba mate beverages deliver a clean, sustained energy boost powered by 100 percent organic yerba mate caffeine sourced from South America, without the jitters or crashes often associated with synthetic caffeine or conventional energy drinks. Each can contains 150 milligrams of organic yerba mate caffeine and is produced with minimal ingredients. The line has no more than 80 calories per flavour and zero sugar in its unsweetened option. Available flavours include Unsweetened, The OG, Blue Balance, Berry Active, Mighty Mint, and Power Peach.

Larsen was a former chef who who founded the original Culture Craft Kombucha in 2015 before rebranding it to Cooler Co. in 2024 with the addition of yerba mate. His relationships with local farmers and his personal health journey were catalysts in creating a brand focused on low-sugar, nutrient-dense alternatives to mass-produced beverages. 

“When I first started making kombucha, my goal was to create beverages that feel good to drink and good for the people enjoying them,” adds Larsen. “Having Cooler Co. fully made in Canada makes me excited for what’s ahead. We’re already working on developing more flavours and getting our products onto even more Canadian shelves.”

Cooler Co.’s beverages are currently available at retailers across B.C. and Ontario, including (in alphabetical order): Country Grocer, Foxy Farm Market, Fresh Street Market, Greens Market, Healthy Planet, IGA, Langley Farm Market, London Drugs, Nature’s Fare, Save-On-Foods, Stong’s Market, Urban Fare, and Whole Foods.

Customers can find select products on award-winning restaurant menus across Canada. In addition, Cooler Co. is a go-to choice for caterers looking for premium non-alcoholic beverages.

For more information about Cooler Co., please visit  and proudly support Cooler Co’s proudly made in Canada beverage lines.

Leominster, Massachusetts – IMA Food North America – a food & beverage equipment leader whose solutions comprise long-established brands like Gasti, Hamba, Hassia, Fillshape, Corazza, Erca, AlphaMAC and Intecma – has hired experienced packaging equipment and automation executive Matthew Reed as Business Development & Key Account Manager. Mr. Reed will be responsible for cultivating new customer relationships, as well as expanding the purview of existing high-profile clients.

Before joining IMA Food North America, Mr. Reed spent nearly four years as a regional sales manager with equipment provider Pearson Packaging, where he consistently exceeded annual revenue goals. Prior to that, he enjoyed a five-year tenure as sales manager for Jewett Automation, which designs solutions for assembly, robotics and material handling. Among other distinctions, in 2021 Mr. Reed set the company’s record for highest ever annual sales.

Mr. Reed joins IMA Food North America at a promising time highlighted by several recent innovations. For example, earlier this year the company introduced the Hamba Flexline, a high-performance, fully servo-controlled fill-seal machine with industry-leading sterilization technology. Rated for high-speed operation and featuring a sturdy, hygienic stainless-steel construction, the system stands out for its clean, even filling and peroxide sterilization capabilities proven to extend product shelf-life.

"Matt brings exceptional, award-winning sales acumen in the packaging and processing machinery segment,” said Patrick Carroll, President of IMA Food North America. “His successes have been driven by the same assets IMA embraces and embodies: engineering prowess, deep market knowledge and strong relationship building. His leadership will be key as we continue to gain market share and introduce new solutions.”

Mr. Reed earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Virginia Commonwealth University. He resides in Henrico, VA.

Richmond, B.C. (Jan. 5, 2026) — B.C. employers will see no change to the average base premium rate from WorkSafeBC in 2026. For the ninth consecutive year, WorkSafeBC has set the average base rate at $1.55 per $100 of assessable payroll.

Annual base premium rates are driven by provincial injury rates, return-to-work performance and the resulting cost of claims, as well as investment returns.

Each year, the costs in some industries go up, some go down and others stay the same. In 2026, 39 per cent of employers in B.C. will experience a decrease in their industry base rate, 47 per cent will see their industry base rate increase, and 14 per cent will see no change. 

Given the economic uncertainties facing the province, WorkSafeBC made changes to the maximum increases and decreases in 2026 rates for B.C. industries, which have normally been capped at 20 per cent. For 2026, rate increases were capped at 10 per cent, while rate decreases were allowed to reach up to approximately 40 per cent. This change is intended to provide greater rate stability for B.C. employers during challenging economic times.

Maintaining rate stability through surplus funds

WorkSafeBC’s sound financial position in recent years has enabled improvements in the workers’ compensation system for injured workers, while keeping rates stable for employers.

WorkSafeBC’s rate-setting approach includes mechanisms to return surplus funds to employers when the funding level exceeds its target. In 2026, WorkSafeBC is returning an estimated $570 million of surplus funds to employers by pricing premium rates below system costs.

The average base premium rate of $1.55 in 2026 is 15 per cent less than the average cost rate of $1.83, with the difference funded by the surplus.  

Between 2019 and 2026, WorkSafeBC projects that $3 billion of surplus funds will have been returned to employers by pricing premium rates below the cost to run the workers’ compensation system.

Looking ahead

Looking at the year ahead, WorkSafeBC is continuing to see upward claim-cost pressures and a continued reduction in the surplus. If these trends continue, it could lead to a moderate increase in premium rates in the near future. WorkSafeBC will continue to closely monitor cost pressures and keep rates as stable as possible.

The preliminary rates for 2027 will be announced in July of this year.

The Workers Compensation Act requires WorkSafeBC to set premium rates annually for employers to pay for the workers' compensation system. Premiums fund the costs associated with work-related injuries or diseases, health care, wage loss, rehabilitation and administration. 

The workers’ compensation system is independently funded by employer premiums and investment returns. WorkSafeBC does not receive any funding from the provincial government.

Key facts:

• Some of the key sectors benefiting from rate reductions this year include:

• Sawmills (-40 per cent)
• Framing or Residential Forming (-39.9 per cent)
• Dairy Farming (-32.2 per cent)
• Restaurants (-25.6 per cent)
• Prehospital Emergency Health Care (-23.5 per cent)
• Retirement Homes (-13.4 per cent)

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