Nielsen-Massey welcomes a new mechanical marvel to its Waukegan facility. The U.S. retail packaging line system is to become the replacement for Nielsen-Massey's older filling and packaging line.

"The new line was a major investment," said Nielsen-Massey Vice President Matt Nielsen. "However, it cuts our bottling production time in half."

In the past, Nielsen-Massey relied on different stations and people for filling, labeling, and safety sealing. The new line incorporates all these tasks into one location and process.

Due to the classification of vanilla as a flammable material, steps had to be taken to ensure that the new line met safety requirements. All wires and moving parts that could produce a spark had to be specially sealed. The "intrinsically safe construction" added to the

cost but ensures the safety of the system.
The new U.S. retail packaging line system is Y2K ready and will cut bottling production time in half.

The line begins with a mechanism that cleans out the bottles. From there the bottles move to a filling machine where the bottles are filled with pure, premium Nielsen-Massey Vanilla. Next, a capping mechanism drops caps on the bottles and tightens them down, sealing up the vanilla goodness and from there the bottles go to the automatic pressure sensitive labeler.

Finally, the line ends with a bander that dispenses and

shrinks the tamper evident seals around the bottles. The entire machine measures about 30 feet in length and was placed in regular production at the end of the second quarter, readying Nielsen-Massey Vanillas for the production demands of the next century.

Vanilla is one of the most popular scents this holiday season, with vanilla-fragranced soaps, lotions, candles and shampoos topping many shopping lists.

The reason is, vanilla conjures up the scent of home. Soothing and not too sweet, vanilla can remind people of the scent of baking cookies, or richness of home-

made custard. Vanilla can help cover up musty or unpleasant odors. A few drops of Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract in a gallon of paint will eliminate the smell of drying paint, while a vanilla bean stuck under the car seat can keep an auto smelling fresh and inviting. Home sellers know that a vanilla-scented candle or potpourri will send a homey message to prospective buyers.

No wonder that vanilla, long appreciated for its versatility in food products is finding equal acceptance as a scent for the home environment.

Vanilla is, indeed, the scent of the century.

Behind the Bean

Stefanie Bennett, is the newest employee at Nielsen-Massey's corporate headquarters in Waukegan. She has been working at the front desk since March. Stefanie's responsibilities includes answering the telephone, filing, making photocopies and sending corporate information to current and potential customers. She also sends out samples when requested and takes customer orders when needed.

Another important part of the job, Stefanie says, is to "work with management to relieve some of their pressures."

To relieve her own pressures after the workday, Stefanie enjoys

The holidays are here and the atmosphere is exploding with plans for partying into the new century. Food that is festive, yet easy to prepare tops the list of must-haves for the season. Take a lesson from Anne Branson, owner of Food For Thought Catering, Chicago, Illinois, and the caterer for the Nielsen Family Picnic, the food trade media event held last summer. The chefs at Food For Thought use the subtle flavors of vanilla to infuse their creations with flavor and sophistication, but preparation is a snap.

Another quick seafood recipe comes from the new point-of-purchase brochure that accompanies the retail bottles of Nielsen-Massey Vanillas. This

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