PACK EXPO International 2026 allows attendees to see the latest packaging and processing equipment and technologies up close and in person. But the show also provides an opportunity to take a broader look at the challenges and trends impacting the industry.

With that in mind, Processing asked PACK EXPO International 2026 exhibitors about the products and technologies they will have on display at the event, along with the biggest processing or operational challenges their customers are facing today. We’ll be publishing their responses in the weeks leading up to the show, which takes place October 18-21 at McCormick Place in Chicago. In this installment, we hear from Tom Koshy, sales director at METTLER TOLEDO Product Inspection Group.

Q: What products, technologies, or live demonstrations will visitors be able to see at your booth during PACK EXPO International 2026, and which applications or manufacturing challenges do they address?

Our latest solutions focus on reducing manual intervention, improving process consistency and supporting data-driven decisions on the line. Intuitive interfaces and guided workflows simplify product setup, while faster changeovers and real-time performance visibility help plants increase throughput without giving up product quality or food safety. That same flexibility lets producers respond quickly to shifting demand without sacrificing efficiency or compliance. We are also addressing speed of delivery through our new LightningBuild program, and we support installed equipment through repair services, on-site retrofits, upgrades and rental options.

Across all of this, our goal is to help manufacturers do more with less, improving productivity, strengthening food safety and building more resilient operations.

Q: What technology or industry trends are having the greatest impact on processing equipment design and investment decisions today?

Digitalization, AI and automation are among the biggest trends shaping product inspection equipment. Customers expect equipment to stay reliable while also generating actionable data, integrating with plant systems and simplifying routine operation. AI can improve inspection performance in complex applications while reducing unnecessary rejects. Labor constraints are driving demand for intuitive interfaces, automated workflows and systems that require less manual intervention, which in turn improves repeatability and supports more standardized processes across shifts.

Flexibility is another major factor as manufacturers run more SKUs, smaller batches and more frequent changeovers. Buyers are also putting greater weight on resilience and total cost of ownership, evaluating uptime, maintenance requirements, serviceability and long-term performance rather than focusing on purchase price alone. These priorities are pushing equipment design toward systems that are easier to operate, integrate, maintain and adapt as production needs change.

Q: If a process engineer, operations manager, or plant executive visits your booth, what are one or two key insights, best practices, or innovations you hope they take away from the conversation?

A: First, we hope visitors leave with a clearer understanding that improving product inspection does not have to come at the expense of flexibility or efficiency. With the right technology and process design, manufacturers can increase throughput, reduce waste and maintain or improve inspection performance.

Second, we want manufacturers to know our equipment is within reach regardless of their size, budget or operation. We build solutions to fit a wide range of budgets and needs, and we work with customers to reach a return on investment as quickly as possible, from improving changeovers to reducing manual steps or gaining better control over critical process variables. 

If visitors leave the booth with one takeaway, it should be this: the most successful plants use product inspection technology to build agile, reliable, future-ready operations rather than to satisfy a compliance requirement or replace a single manual step.