The new president/CEO will provide strategic leadership and oversight of global promotional and research activities, regulatory affairs and trade policy initiatives.
January 17, 2017
The U.S. Dairy Export Council selected former U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack as president and CEO, effective Feb. 1.
Wells Enterprises, our 2016 Dairy Processor of the Year, overhauled its Blue Bunny ice cream brand. New marketing, new flavors and new products have led to higher sales.
The Wells Enterprises’ ice cream plant runs 20 hours a day, seven days a week. Because of this heavy-duty schedule, once a year the maintenance crew takes apart and rebuilds each piece of equipment.
Retail sales of branded butter showed gains on private label butter in the last year. Though dollar sales of private label butter increased 3.4%, unit sales decreased 1.3%, suggesting that retailers raised prices.
In searching for signs of life in the fluid milk category, one can find a pulse. Sales of whole milk rose 4.1% from 2014 to 2015. Sales also increased for 1% milk (4.6%), whole flavored milk (6.4%), other flavored milk (1.3%) and buttermilk (5.2%). These segments represent opportunities for fluid milk processors.
Swiss Valley Farms, Davenport, Iowa, is the 2016 Tom Camerlo Exporter of the Year. The award goes to a dairy supplier that exemplifies leadership in advancing U.S. dairy exports, demonstrates commitment to export market development and makes exports an integral part of its overall growth strategy. It is presented by Dairy Foods and sponsored by the U.S. Dairy Export Council, Arlington, Va.
Owners and presidents of dairy processing firms have the highest job satisfaction, according to our exclusive survey. Employees are happiest with their immediate co-workers, but when it comes to the brass, not so much.
Any dairy farmer can attest that contented cows give better milk. But how satisfied are employees of dairy processing firms? Are they happy where they are working, or are they job hopping?
It’s easy to find creativity in dairy processing. Look at the people involved in formulating, processing, packaging and marketing of dairy foods and beverages. Their innovations meet consumers’ calls for convenience and new flavors.