Supplier Side
Tetra Pak names Brian Kennell president and CEO, U.S. and Canada
Tetra Pak, Lausanne, Switzerland, said it named Brian Kennell president and CEO of its U.S. and Canada divisions. Prior to assuming this role, Kennell served in a number of leadership positions, most recently as vice president of finance and business transformation for Tetra Pak’s North American division.
Since joining Tetra Pak in 1991, he has had a salient role in shaping the company’s focus on improved efficiencies, quality, sustainability and customer service, the company said. As president and CEO, Kennell will further these goals and focus on supporting and continuing to drive Tetra Paks culture of innovation and adaptation to customer needs. He also will share his insights on these issues with a column in The Huffington Post, which debuted last week with a piece about the importance of embracing change at every level.
“It’s critical for senior management to foster an organization-wide culture of change,” Kennell said. “That means building and empowering teams beyond top management [that] are versatile and nimble, and capable of adapting to — and embracing — an evolving status quo.”
With the world population surging, food and beverage professionals are faced with a dwindling supply of natural resources and more mouths to feed, Tetra Pak stated. Kennell is also committed to intensifying Tetra Pak’s already unequivocal commitment to sustainability and led the company’s recent launch of Moving to the Front, a campaign that raises awareness among industry stakeholders of the importance of sustainable raw material sourcing and using renewable resources.
DairiConcepts creates searchable ingredients database
Springfield, Mo.-based DairiConcepts said that the latest flavor characteristics, application recommendations, starting usage rates and label declarations for its high-flavor, concentrated paste ingredients are now easily accessible from a searchable database on its website, www.dairiconcepts.com. The database represents more than 120 dairy flavor varieties, including ethnic and traditional cheeses, yogurt, natural and sour cream, cream cheese and butter.
With the introduction of the database, DairiConcepts said it chose the new name of “Amplifi” to accurately convey the flavor-boosting functionality of the product line previously called “Supernatural Concentrates.” The line’s numerical item codes remain as before.
The Amplifi searchable database was built to provide product developers, research chefs and purchasing agents easy access to descriptive content for each ingredient. Starting with flavor selection, researchers could use the database to discover other essential characteristics needed to quickly locate their desired ingredients and order samples, the company said.
Amplifi ingredients could be searched on any combination of flavor attributes (e.g., intense, lipolytic, tangy), applications (e.g., frozen or high-heat soups and sauces), certifications and label declarations (e.g., kosher, halal, organic, vegetarian, clean label), starting usage rates, color and flavor strength. Previously, the flavor strength of the individual Supernatural Concentrates was numerically designated, but with Amplifi, the products are classified as “Bold,” “Bolder” and “Boldest,” denoting the flexibility the products offer in the formulation process, the company said.
Amplifi ingredients are made from real dairy products in a range of natural cheese and dairy flavor intensities. The products boost true dairy-flavor impact and simultaneously replace bulk cheese and dairy ingredients — all or in part. Depending on the strengths used and amounts replaced, formulation costs for food items using Amplifi ingredients in large-scale production might be substantially reduced. Amplifi ingredients are shipped refrigerated with a storage requirement of 32–40 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if refrigeration is not possible, certain varieties are available in a powdered format.
Total Quality Logistics to enter Arkansas
Total Quality Logistics (TQL), a Cincinnati-based freight brokerage firm, announced that it is opening a facility in Lowell, Ark., 20 miles north of Fayetteville and seven miles south of Rogers. The company plans to invest a quarter of a million dollars and create up to 50 new jobs. Hiring, mostly for sales positions, will begin immediately.
“We’re pleased to add the state of Arkansas to our footprint,” said Kerry Byrne, TQL’s executive vice president. “This new location will give us access to the outstanding professional talent in northwest Arkansas.”
Three Dog Bakery to help veterans adopt service dogs
Three Dog Bakery, a manufacturer of premium, all-natural dog food and treats under its eponymous brand and retailers’ own brands, said it will donate an amount equal to 15 percent of its total product sales — whether through its bakeries, its retail outlets or online — on Veteran’s Day (Nov. 11) to Food Industry Serving Heroes (FISH), a nonprofit organization designed to engage the food industry in serving military veterans. With the donations, it will purchase service dogs for veterans in need. It also will contribute a year’s supply of its dog food and treats to each of the recipients of FISH’s service dog initiative to further lessen the financial burden on America’s veterans.
“I’ve always been humbled by the sacrifices the men and women of our military make on behalf of American freedom, and I recognize the struggles they have returning home,” said Aziz Giga, co-owner of Three Dog Bakery. “It’s so important for those of us who have benefitted from their sacrifices to do what we can to help. For many, there is no greater need than simple, daily assistance — the kind that can often be provided with a service dog. We are encouraging our suppliers and service providers to participate with us by donating to FISH as well.”
Diamond Wipes debuts facial treatment sheet masks
Chino, Calif.-based Diamond Wipes International, a manufacturer of private label and contract-packaged wet wipes, announced the launch of facial sheet mask services.
Originally conceived as an at-home do-it-yourself spa concept, facial sheet masks are convenient and easy to use with a variety of skincare treatments. Diamond Wipes said it provides a 100 percent plant fiber option that includes cotton, natural bamboo and charcoal-infused plant fiber. The masks can be infused with Diamond Wipes’ in-house library of skincare formulations, proprietary formulations provided by a customer or a new custom formulation.
“Facial sheet masks are already a staple and still an evolving applicator concept in Korea, China and Japan,” said Eve Yen, founder and president of Diamond Wipes. “Our research indicates that the U.S. beauty market, brands and consumers alike are now more than eager to adopt Asian skincare concepts and products and make them their own. Take the explosive success of BB creams, for example. We are proud to offer this new service to customers seeking a unique addition to their skincare brand portfolios.”
The sheet masks are individually packaged in single-use, virtually airtight sachets to maintain freshness and quality. They are also easy to sample or retail; secondary assembly is available for retail products, the company said.
Point Five Packaging adds two sales managers
Point Five Packaging, a Schiller Park, 111.-based supplier of modified-atmosphere packaging solutions, announced the addition of two regional sales managers to its team.
Philip Skaff joined Point Five as Midwest regional sales manager. He will be responsible for accounts in Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Colorado, Nebraska and Kansas, Point Five said. Prior to joining Point Five, Skaff was involved in many facets of the food manufacturing, packaging and distribution industry. He founded and acted as CEO of Skaff Foods LLC, a gourmet food packaging company specializing in all-natural Mediterranean and Asian foods. He strategically planned all aspects of the company from site and personnel selection to marketing strategy, training and development.
In addition, Robin Reinhold joined as Southeastern regional sales manager. She will be responsible for accounts in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi and Arkansas, Point Five noted. Reinhold comes to Point Five with more than 20 years of business development and sales experience. She has been instrumental in helping customers find ways to be more productive and save money by using a consultative problem solving approach and truly partnering with customers to enable them to achieve their goals.
Little Lady Foods names Rick Anderson president and CEO
Little Lady Foods, an Elk Grove Village, 111.-based contract manufacturer of custom-made frozen food products for retail, foodservice, consumer packaged goods companies and private label customers, said it named Rick Anderson president and CEO, effective immediately. Anderson brings more than 25 years of consumer packaged goods experience in brand and private label strategy, marketing and new product development to the company. His innovative solutions and strong relationships with major retail and foodservice customers will drive growth for Little Lady Foods and its current customers.
“We are very excited about the future of our company,” said John Geocaris, founder and chairman. “He will take our company to the next level.”
Anderson’s extensive experience includes his role for the past several years as chief commercial officer at Aryzta, a manufacturer of specialty frozen bakery products. Prior to that, he was chief commercial and marketing officer at La Brea Bakery, where he was instrumental in successfully growing the company into an internationally recognized brand in both the retail and foodservice channels, Little Lady Foods said.
“I am thrilled to join a market leader with such a strong and talented team,” Anderson said.
Anderson holds a master’s degree from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Valparaiso University in Indiana, Little Lady Foods said.