Melinda Elledge joined Encore! Glass, Benicia, Calif., bottle supplier, as account manager for Napa and Sonoma counties. Previously, she was with Saverglass.

Plastic-producer buys Neocork
Tasz Inc., producer of polymers and plastics, acquired Neocork, Napa-based supplier of synthetic corks. Tasz is installing a new extrusion line at its North Carolina plant to produce new materials and closures for Neocork. Details: neocork.com.

Waller named IBG VP
Stephen Waller was appointed vice president of operations for IBG, Napa, Calif., logistics and direct fulfillment provider. Previously, he was CEO at Midnite Express, Los Angeles. Details: ibgwine.com.

Ralston joins Wilson Daniels 
Greg Ralston was appointed vice president of portfolio development and strategic initiatives at St. Helena, Calif., distributor Wilson Daniels Ltd. Previously, he was managing director at Chateau Montelena.

Eco Series a hit for Saint-Gobain
Verallia, glass packaging brand of Saint-Gobain Containers, announced that sales of its Eco Series wine and beer bottles have topped 200 million. The bottles are 100% endlessly recyclable and are manufactured with reduced energy consumption and CO₂ emissions.

Earth & Turf ready for winter
Earth & Turf Products LLC, New Holland, Pa., introduced three new, easy-to-install clamp-on snow blades for compact tractors. The SC series is available in 60- and 72-inch wide sizes for tractors under 35hp. Details: earthandturf.com.

Nixalite tames deer 
Nixalite of America, East Moline, Ill., has expanded its humane wildlife control lineup with Deer Stopper and Plot Saver Ribbon & Repellent. Minty-scented Deer Stopper can safely be applied to flowers, shrubs and fruit trees to prevent damage from deer, moose and elk. It’s OMRI approved for organic growers. Plot Saver is a sensory barrier made up of Plot Saver ribbon and repellant. Details: nixalite.com.

Willmers goes solar
Raymond Willmers, a founder of Mendocino Cooperage and most recently consumer-direct national sales manager with Longboard Vineyards, Healdsburg, Calif., has joined the sales team at Westcoast Solar Energy, Rohnert Park, Calif. Details: westcoastsolarenergy.com.

See demo-scale Détente
Winesecrets and Della Toffola USA have implemented a demonstration-scale version of the Thermoflash Flash Détente thermovinification system to streamline red maceration. It will operate in Canada’s Niagara region during this harvest season. Details: winesecrets.com.

WS CEO wins lifetime award 
Terry Fulwiler, CEO of WS Packaging Group, Green Bay, Wis., received the 2010 R. Stanton Avery Lifetime Achievement Award sponsored by Avery Dennison. Details: wspackaging.com.

Gusmer and OenoFOSS strengthen ties
Gusmer Enterprises, Fresno, Calif., and FOSS North America, Eden Prairies, Minn., announced that Gusmer will distribute the OenoFOSS analytical instrument and replacement parts in the U.S. and Canada. Details: gusmerenterprises.com.

Miller joins Nadalié 
Lee Miller was named director of operations at cooperage Nadalié USA, Calistoga, Calif. She began her cooperage career at Tonnellerie Radoux USA and had also worked at M. A. Silva Corks USA.