Member News

Member and Industry News

The American Dairy Association Northeast announced a month-long partnership with SavorRecipes.com during National Dairy Month in June. According to CEO John Chrisman, New York dairy farmers and SavorRecipes.com launched the #DoItWithDairy promotional campaign to introduce consumers to quick and easy recipes on TikTok, which are designed to increase dairy sales to Generation Z college students and Millennial parents. Every week in June, culinary experts, registered dietitians and even dairy farmer influencers taught consumers to make delicious dairy-centric recipes while learning more about the benefits of dairy consumption.

Anderson-Negele announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the component business of the Metering Blending and Calibration Division of GEA Diessel, GmbH, a leading provider of magnetic flow meters for hygienic applications. GEA Diessel’s components business has been providing high-precision magnetic-inductive flow meters for more than 35 years for us in food, beverage, pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturing processes. “Anderson-Negele already has a reputation for delivering high-quality hygienic instrumentation and process controls,” said Cathy Clausen, president. ‘Integrating GEA Diessel’s magnetic flow meter development and manufacturing expertise allows us to offer more complete and cost-effective instrumentation and flow solutions to our channel partners and end customers across their entire process. Additionally, it allows us to continue to innovate to help manufacturers in dairy, food, beverage and brewing industries achieve the highest quality standards while minimizing costs through process efficiency improvement and waste reduction.”

Building on its recent philanthropic, funding and advocacy efforts, Chobani launched a month-long fundraiser at its Soho Café to benefit Razom for Ukraine. Chobani founder and CEO Hamdi Ulukaya – an immigrant himself and long-time supporter of refugees – recently visited the border of Ukraine and Poland with the organization he founded, Ten Partnership for Refugees, seeing first-hand the devastation and desperation as millions flee their homes. For its latest efforts in supporting the humanitarian crisis, Chobani partnered with Razom, the nonprofit that means “together” in Ukrainian. When the war began, Razom quickly mobilized to deliver critical humanitarian aid, including tactical medical supplies, hospital supplies and tech-enabled emergency response supplies that facilitate the delivery of this aid. Razom also focused its relief efforts on children in and fleeing from Ukraine.

Land O’Lakes, Inc., has put a new spin on butter with the launch of Land O’Lakes Butter Balls, half-tablespoon balls of butter for everyday cooking. Inspired by consumers who picked up cooking during the pandemic, this first-of-its kind product for retail shelves offers the company’s signature

butter in a convenient, pre-portioned size that makes cooking easier, according to the company. “Innovation is core to Land O’Lakes, and we see this product as the answer to the convenience consumers crave while staying true to the great product they rely on – sweet cream butter,” says Heather Afang, U.S. vice president of Land O’Lakes Dairy Foods. “While the pandemic created unprecedented challenges across all industries, our commitment to innovation never wavered – and instead we chose to lean in and are excited to bring this unique product to customers.”

Perry’s Ice Cream was recently recognized by ConnectLife as its Promotional Blood Drive Partner of the Year. ConnectLife is Western New York state’s only community blood center and federally designated organ, eye and tissue procurement agency. Perry’s Pint for Pint program has made a significant impact on blood donations in the Western New York community over the past two years. In March, everyone who donated blood at a ConnectLife blood drive received a coupon for a free pint of Perry’s ice cream. All the blood donations stay local to support area healthcare organizations.

On Father’s Day, June 19, Stewart’s Shops helped honor dad with a single scoop cone for just 99 cents – and anyone in the family was invited to join in on the celebration (and the 99 cent deal, too)! In other news, Stewart’s announced its summer seasonal flavors, including Campfire S’Moreo, Peanut Butter Jelly Time, Salted Caramel Cheesecake, Chocolate Caramel Tornado, Fresh Toast Roast and Blueberry Crumble.

Syracuse Label & Surround Printing, Marcaran Printed Products and W.N. Van Alstine announced recently that their respective boards of directors have approved a merger agreement. The new organization will provide enhanced development and manufacturing capabilities, incorporating state-of-the-art label technologies along with improved economies of scale. The new business will be run by co-CEOs Nick Van Alstine and Kathy Alaimo with Tom Sargent as president.

Marking its 60th anniversary year in 2022, Tremcar has announced its plans to set up a digital project to get noticed. As a custom-built manufacturing company, Tremcar has decided to innovate its marketing in order to better stand out. Working with Nervus, a startup in the digital field, Tremcar is inviting people to visit the company’s facilities in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Saint Cesaire in Canada to see how the tanks sold throughout North America are manufactured. Potential employees are also part of the plan, getting the chance to visit the workplace before even applying. This effort is part of Tremcar’s intention to demonstrate the added value of buying one of its products instead of one of the competition’s. The company decided that virtual reality was a must in getting customers to see its sites and its products, particularly while the impact of the pandemic is still being felt. Other digital projects are being developed for training purposes and other marketing efforts. According to Tremcar President Daniel Tremblay, continuous improvement and innovation are at the heart of the entrepreneurial values of Tremcar.

Kevin Ellis has been named the new CEO of Upstate Niagara Cooperative, replacing retiring CEO Larry Webster, effective in September. Ellis comes to the cooperative from Cayuga Milk Ingredients in Auburn, New York, where he was CEO, and Cayuga Marketing. “Kevin is a visionary leader who will be communicative and approachable at all levels of the organization,” said John Gould, president and chairman of Upstate Niagara’s board of directors.

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc., and Belgioioso Cheese, Inc., signed transactional agreements to sell and purchase, respectively, the Upstate Farms Cheese, LLC, facility located in Campbell, New York. Closing of the deal is expected to be completed by the end of the summer, according to Upstate Niagara Cooperative said, pending final due diligence.

WestRock Company, a leading provider of sustainable paper and packaging solutions, has been named one of the 2022 Forbes Best Employers for New Graduates, ranking seventh within the engineering and manufacturing category. An independent survey by Forbes and Statista analyzed the responses of more than 20,000 young professionals employed by organizations of 1,000 or more to identify the companies most liked by new workforce entrants. “We’re focused on recruiting the best talent for our business and ensuring our teammates are engaged, feel valued and can do their very best work while providing ongoing opportunities for growth and continued learning,” said Vicki Lostetter, chief human resources officer at Westrock. “Being recognized for these efforts is especially rewarding as we continue to build and empower future leaders, taking the required steps to be a company where people choose to work.”