Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a future-facing issue for California employers. Many businesses already use some form of automated tool to sort résumés, rank applicants, target recruiting, score assessments, flag productivity concerns, or assist with promotion and compensation decisions. What is different now is that California’s employment regulations addressing automated-decision systems are in effect, which makes this a present compliance issue rather than a speculative one. These regulations went into effect on October 1, 2025 . The key point for employers is simple: using AI does not insulate an employment decision from scrutiny under California law. The regulations are designed to clarify how existing anti-discrimination rules apply when an employer uses artificial intelligence, algorithms, or other automated-decision systems in employment decisions. The regulations also define the issue broadly. They are not limited to a futuristic chatbot or a fully autonomous h

The group HERTI has been awarded the EcoVadis Silver Medal, achieving an overall score of 75 out of 100. This result places the company among the top 15% of all companies assessed by EcoVadis worldwide. The new score represents a 12-point improvement compared to last year, placing the company in the 88th percentile globally. The EcoVadis assessment recognizes HERTI's continuous commitment to sustainability across four key areas: Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. This significant improvement reflects our long-term efforts to strengthen responsible business practices and continuously enhance our ESG performance. We would like to thank all our colleagues whose dedication and professionalism made this achievement possible. This recognition motivates us to continue developing HERTI as a responsible, sustainable and trusted partner for our customers, employees and society.  

Supply Chain Update | Summer 2026 Navigating an Uncertain Global Supply Chain For the wine industry, supply chain planning continues to require far more than simply placing purchase orders. Trade policy, geopolitical events, freight markets, and domestic manufacturing capacity are all changing rapidly—and those changes directly impact cost, availability, and lead times. At West Coast Glass & Packaging Group, our role is to help wineries stay ahead of those changes so they can remain focused on making and selling great wine. Trade Policy Continues to Evolve One of the biggest developments this summer is the U.S. Trade Representative's proposed Section 301 tariff actions targeting imports over forced labor enforcement concerns. While implementation is still under review, the proposals have already caused importers to reassess sourcing strategies and inventory planning. For wineries, this reinforces the importance of working with suppliers that understand both domestic and internation

Food and beverage (F&B) manufacturers and distributors fill a vital role in our world by developing, producing, and distributing the consumable products we need to live on. Opportunities abound in this industry, where food trends are constantly shifting, innovation is both revered and duplicated, and new products are always welcome. The F&B space is also fraught with complexities and challenges. Not only is this a highly regulated industry, but organizations also have to keep a close eye on thinning margins, high input costs and economic factors like shifts in consumer spending habits. External factors like inflation, high interest rates, and labor shortages are also impacting F&B companies’ operations and bottom lines. Amid these complexities, the last thing an F&B manufacturer wants to deal with are business systems that throttle growth, yet this is exactly what’s happening on many plant floors and in distribution centers around the globe. Companies know they have to

With rising costs and complex supply chain, companies in the food and beverage (F&B) industry may find themselves at a disadvantage if they lose cost visibility and if the accounting system and operational controls aren’t tightly aligned. Operating in a highly-competitive market and understanding your company’s cost structure is not just about financial reporting—it’s a strategic advantage. Explore common cost accounting challenges that face the F&B industry and some practical ways to address them. Communicating and understanding that product costing is not just an accounting issue but rather a responsibility of every department is imperative for the company to be successful. 1. Volatile Raw Material Prices Agricultural products like wheat, dairy, sugar, proteins, coffee beans, and cocoa can be highly volatile due to various factors that impact their price which can include climate conditions, regulatory changes, geopolitical situations, and currency fluctuations. If not accoun

The wine market is less predictable than ever, and so is the consumer. Rapid fluctuations in the economy or political situation mean customers have less certainty in potential sales, so when inflation or tariffs rise or fall, or a retail account is gained or lost, wineries need a quick turnaround to capture the sale. That often means last-minute orders with a sense of urgency. Bringing It All Together Crealis CEO Enrico Bracesco is transitioning the eight companies Crealis has acquired (Maverick, Corchomex, Rivercap, Enoplastic, Sparflex, Le Muselet Valentin, Supercap, Pe.Di), which together have a heritage dating back 70 years, into a cohesive organization under a single name: Crealis.  The wine business will now have an integrated business unit with centralized operations, including supply chain, manufacturing, quality and R&D. This unification provides more agility, increases procurement synergies and results in tighter delivery times. Spirits will have a separate pro

The wine and spirits industry is standing on the precipice of a major design evolution. For years, “premium” was defined by weight, excess, and tradition. For 2026, a new definition of luxury is emerging; one that values intelligence over mass, and tactile storytelling over simple visual appeal. For brand owners and procurement leaders, staying ahead of these glass packaging trends in 2026 is no longer just about aesthetics; it is a matter of strategic survival. From the rise of “quiet luxury” and right-weighted glass to the complex pressures of global supply chains, the packaging decisions made today will define brand resilience tomorrow. In this forecast, we explore how sustainable luxury, ergonomic innovation, and smart supply chain strategies are reshaping the premium landscape, and how Global Package provides the specialized glass solutions needed to help you navigate this future. The State of Glass Packaging for Wine & Spirits At Global Package, we&r

As Europe’s leading glass packaging producer for beverages and food, Verallia takes another step in its lightweighting revolution with the launch of the Burgundy Air 300g, the world’s first ultra-light Burgundy bottle, standing 290mm tall. A model of disruptive eco-design, it preserves the iconic silhouette of traditional Burgundy bottles significantly reducing its environmental footprint. With the Burgundy Air 300G, Verallia once again confirms its pioneering role in transforming glass packaging to support the wine industry’s sustainability and competitiveness. A TECHNICAL FEAT SERVING THE ENVIRONMENT  This innovation stems from years of R&D expertise and state-of-the-art industrial knowhow. The challenge was to maintain the distinctive aesthetics of Burgundy bottles while drastically cutting their weight.  Weighing just 300 grams (compared to the European average of 450g0F 1) with a 75 cl capacity, the Bourgogne Air 300G reduces raw material use and

Azmera unveils odoo for Wine: A Cost-Effective, Fully Integrated ERP Tailored for Winery Operations Napa, September 29th: Azmera today announced the launch of odoo for Wine, a powerful ERP solution designed to help wineries streamline operations, gain real-time visibility across finances, inventory, sales, and purchasing. Using the robust odoo platform and enhanced with wine-specific features, this enhanced wine-specific version offers wineries a modern, integrated alternative to outgrown accounting software and costly enterprise platforms. The full power of odoo for Wine comes from the pre-built integrations: by integrating with industry-leading wine-production apps like BlendedTech, Innovint, and Vintrace, as well as DTC platforms such as Commerce7, odoo for Wine provides a single source of truth for inventory—from additives to bulk and bottled wine - centralizing purchasing and unifying sales across wholesale and direct-to-consumer channels. odoo is a well-established and feat

The packaging supply chain is sending mixed signals this month – not quite cause for alarm, but enough yellow lights to keep procurement teams on their toes. Let’s start with the good news: fuel costs edged down from July's $3.779 to $3.744 per gallon in August. But before we celebrate, some context is needed. At $3.74+, we're still hovering near the year’s second-highest diesel levels. Think of it as taking your foot slightly off the accelerator while still speeding – technically slowing down, but hardly cruising speed. Fuel remains a critical watch point as we head into Q4 planning cycles. Transportation continues to be our bright spot. For the second straight month, we're seeing no peak season surcharges – a welcome relief that’s providing both cost predictability and operational flexibility at a time when the industry needs both. Port operations remain stable with no meaningful congestion on key inbound lanes. The anticipated summer i