2023 Private Label Hall of Fame: Angela LePore, Simmons Pet Food
16 leaders from the world of private brands were recently honored as the newest inductees to the Private Label Hall of Fame.
During a ceremony held during the Private Label Manufacturers Association’s (PLMA) Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference in Orlando, Fla., members of the Class of 2023 shared stories of the challenges each has overcome to succeed in a highly competitive industry.
Created in 2006 to recognize those who have made significant contributions to the growth and development of the global private brand industry, this year’s event featured updated categories that each included two retail and two supplier honorees. The categories are Next Gen Private Label Leader, Private Brand Innovator, Private Brand Champion and Lifetime Achievement.
“We proudly celebrate the outstanding achievements of these proven leaders and innovators,” said Peggy Davies, president of PLMA. “Their hard work and dedication are instrumental to the success of the store brands business.”
“The 16 honorees represent the best of the best from across the world of private label and showcase the depth of talent the industry has to offer,” said Greg Sleter, executive editor and associate publisher of Store Brands. “This august group of retailers and suppliers have had a major impact on the private label business and will continue to do so in the years ahead.”
This special section features profiles of each of the new Hall of Famers.
Angela LePore
Senior Manager, Private Brands, Product Development
Simmons Pet Food
Next Generation
As pet ownership grows in the United States, retailers continue to roll out private label pet food offerings with the goal of setting themselves apart from the competition. Angela LePore, who leads private label product development at Simmons Pet Food, is tasked with coming up with cost-effective, innovative and nutritious pet food products for retailers, and has earned praise from her colleagues in the process.
One of LePore’s more recent accomplishments was the launch of a new packaging format that targeted a national brand, a first for Simmons Pet Food. LePore was completely immersed into the design of this brand, invested in best understanding design philosophy and key attributes, and conducted multiple product cuttings and nutritional analyses in order to create a line that best represents the brand.
The finished private brand product checked all the boxes for the manufacturer, with exceptional palatability and digestibility. The innovative new product resulted in multiple private brand launches.
LePore spends time to understand the ever-changing pet food market and what each brand represents, so that she can effectively provide a private label program that best delivers to what pet parents are looking for.
Outside of this launch, LePore has garnered praise for the way she networks with coworkers and colleagues on LinkedIn, Instagram, mentor circles and business organizations, helping elevate morale, confidence and knowledge within the pet food industry. LePore’s versatility and commitment to customer satisfaction are what give her a bright future in the private label industry, earning her an induction into the Private Label Hall of Fame.