2024 Private Label Hall of Fame: Pascale Courtemanche
Sixteen 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 San Antonio, Tex. Members of the Class of 2024 are a combination of long-time leaders and up-and-coming visionaries who have provided a strong foundation for an industry that continues to see record-setting growth.
RELATED: The complete list of the Private Label Hall of Fame Class of 2024
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 retail and product supplier honorees in four categories. They include Next Gen Private Label Leader, Private Brand Innovator, Private Brand Champion, and Lifetime Achievement.
Pascale Courtemanche
Director Research & Development
C.H. Guenther & Son/Plats Du Chef
A customer-centric approach, curiosity, positivity, passion, and resourcefulness are just a few of the traits that define Pascale Courtemanche’s leadership style. Often described by those close to her as a “monster of creativity,” the director of Research & Development at C.H. Guenther & Son/ Plats Du Chef is seen as a force to be reckoned with in the private label industry.
A member of the Private Label Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024 in the Private Brand Innovator Category, Courtemanche’s ability to inspire her team to constantly seek the next great idea or product has led to a culture of innovation and forward-thinking within her organization.
"Receiving this honor from leaders in the food industry is truly touching,” she said. “It has given me the opportunity to reflect on my career and recognize how proud I am of it.”
One of her more notable contributions is the creation of an innovation "inbox" where diverse groups can continuously submit ideas or highlight existing products to capture trends and unique items for inspiration. This initiative has resulted in the commercialization of several creative products such as Halloom Cheese Sticks, Polenta Fries, and French Onion Soup Phyllo Straws.
On average, Courtemanche introduces 10 to 15 new products annually. She also conducts regular reviews of existing SKUs in need of renovation or margin enhancement, leading to the introduction of new SKUs that bring innovation to private label customers.
“Collaboration plays a vital role, and cultivating influence is essential in guiding both my team and broader stakeholders towards our shared goals,” she said. Along the way, I've learned to trust my instincts, which have often led me to successfully develop concepts that others may have doubted.”
Beyond her product development efforts, Courtemanche is also highly regarded for her commitment to sustainability. She has championed new sustainable packaging solutions, eliminating e-packaging components and switching components from landfill-only materials to recyclable films. These initiatives meet consumer desires to be more environmentally friendly and also help retail customers tell a compelling sustainability story that resonates with today's conscious consumers.