A Conversation With Ian Schenkel
As the founder, president and CEO of Select Store Brands, Ian Schenkel prides himself on developing for retailers products that cannot be found anywhere else. He founded the company, a division of Ontario, Calif.-based Haliburton International that manufactures specialty foods for foodservice and retailers' store brand programs, with the goal of "marrying food science and culinary experience to improve the quality and reduce the cost of manufactured foods," his company's website reads.
Private Label ⇨ Store Brands asked Schenkel about what's going on with his company and what he has learned during his career thus far.
Private Label ⇨ Store Brands: We understand that your company is building a new culinary center and R&D facility. Tell us a little more about that.
Ian Schenkel: We have an outstanding team … made up of classically trained chefs, research chefs, food scientists, food technologists and process specialists. Most of the products that we sell and manufacture are custom-design [ed] solutions unique to each of our customers. We have the best creative people in the industry, so we are building a world-class facility for them to create in. The facility will include two culinary kitchens, a state-of-the-art R&D center and two R&D pilot plants.
PLSB: How does your company's involvement in foodservice help with product development on the retail side?
Schenkel: Let me answer this by quoting one of our customers: "Haliburton International helps keep all of our good ideas alive, and serves as [our] global inspiration partner in delivering results through unique, great-tasting ingredients. Haliburton seeks non-traditional solutions in moving our business forward in measurable ways that connect with our customers, with each and every bite!"
I'm sure if any of your readers have enjoyed a meal at Panera Bread, they would agree with the quote above. We work with many of the best executive chefs and top foodservice operators in the world.
PLSB: What is your favorite Select Store Brands product?
Schenkel: Do you want to know my favorite salsa, my favorite hummus, my favorite fire-roasted vegetable, my favorite rice blend or maybe my favorite pasta with protein? It seems that every time I visit [the] R&D or culinary [departments], I'm shown a new item that becomes my favorite for the day. By the time this goes to print, I'm sure my favorite will have changed several times.
PLSB: What is your fondest memory in your career so far?
Schenkel: I started this company 22 years ago in a small rented facility with half-a-dozen employees and a dream. We had one product and two customers. In 2012, we completed a new 300,000-square-foot facility. We employ over 300 dedicated team members, have hundreds of exceptional customers and loyal vendors, and we sell and manufacture over 500 different products. … That original dream was surpassed years ago, and each and every day we set new goals, records and dreams. So to answer your question: My fondest memory is the last 22 years!
PLSB: If you could be another person for a day, who would you be?
Schenkel: My 18-year-old son. Youth would be so much more fun with the knowledge that I have gained over the years. Oh, to be young again!
PLSB: What did you want to be when you were young?
Schenkel: I always wanted to be an engineer. I just never imagined applying my engineering knowledge to the manufacturing of food.