Food Business News - June 12, 2018 - 10
well-run company with a solid customer base that's earned consumer loyalty. We're excited for Tecumseh to continue to produce quality chicken while providing the business the scale and resources it needs to continue growing. Customers should continue to work with existing contacts." Tyson Foods isn't the only major U.S. poultry processor focusing on organic production. In April 2016, Pilgrim's Pride Corp., Greeley, Colo., converted its Sanford, N.C., manufacturing plant to the processing of organic chickens. In November 2016, the company invested $350 million in the acquisition of the GNP Co., a processor of organic and antibiotic-free chicken. In a conference call on Feb. 18 of this year to discuss the company's fiscal 2017 results, William W. Lovette, president and chief executive officer of Pilgrim's Pride, called the Sanford manufacturing facility "one of the most profitable chicken plants in the whole United States." "We're reaching the point, probably in the next year to two years, where we're going to have to perhaps make another decision to increase our organic production, because we're going to run up against supply and we're either going to have to expand Sanford or we're going to have to go either build a greenfield or convert another operation," he said. "We haven't made that decision yet, but I would say that decision is going to come out at us within the next year or so." Perdue Foods, a business unit of Perdue Farms, Salisbury, Md., also grows and processes organic chicken under the Perdue Harvestland brand. FBN Grocery Manufacturers Association names gaming association president as new c.e.o. WASHINGTON - Geoff Freeman will take the helm of the Grocery Manufacturers Association (G.M.A.) as president and chief executive officer on Aug. 1. He will replace Pamela G. Bailey, who announced her plans this past February to retire after 10 years leading the G.M.A. Mr. Freeman is the president and c.e.o. of the American Gaming Association (A.G.A.), the trade association for the U.S. casino gaming industry. "Geoff has a proven track record of building unity, creating successful engagement on complex issues and taking people's daily lives," Mr. Freeman said. a proactive approach to advocacy that "I look forward to leading the drives growth and expansion," development of strategies that said William (Billy) Cyr, c.e.o. firmly establish G.M.A. as an of Freshpet, Inc. and head of effective driver of growth and the G.M.A.'s search committee. collaboration in our industry." Prior to joining the Mr. Freeman joins the A.G.A., Mr. Freeman worked G.M.A. during a period of as chief operating officer of the turmoil. A number of the food U.S. Travel Association. and beverage industry's largest "I've always been drawn Freeman companies have discontinued to industries that have a close their membership in the group, connection to consumers including the Campbell Soup Co., Nestle, and am energized by the opportunity Tyson Foods, Cargill, Dean Foods, Unileto play a role in driving the growth and ver and others. FBN evolution of one that is a vital part of Coca-Cola looks to bring dairy innovation to Canada through new facility TORONTO - Coca-Cola Canada is investing C$85 million ($65 million) to build a production facility in Peterborough, Ont., that is geared toward dairy innovation. The plant, which is scheduled to be operating in the first quarter of 2020, will produce fairlife Ultrafiltered Milk in fat free, 2% white, 2% chocolate and whole white varieties in 1.5-liter PET bottles, as well as 2% white and 2% chocolate in 240-ml PET bottles, Coca-Cola said. The production facility marks the 10 Food Business News company's first foray into the international market for its fairlife brand of products. Shane Grant, president of the Canadian business unit of The Coca-Cola Co., said the decision to build the dairy production facility is a significant step in its journey to become a total beverage company. "We are listening to consumers and evolving our business strategy to respond," Mr. Grant said. "We have launched an unprecedented number of new products into the Canadian market over the last 18 months, including smaller package formats and new brands, such as Gold Peak, smartwater sparkling, Glaceau fruitwater, vitaminwater active, Peace Tea, and Powerade Zero. Adding fairlife Ultrafiltered Milk to our portfolio means we can offer Canadians more of what they are looking for - products with less sugar, more functional benefits and more natural ingredients." Coca-Cola Canada said the plant will be supplied with milk from local dairy farmers in Ontario. FBN June 12, 2018