Author: mmoao

WASHINGTON — The American Bakers Association (ABA) announced a transition in leadership for its Commodity and Agricultural Policy (CAPC) Professional Group. Ahmet Hepdogan, senior vice president, supply chain and procurement, North America, Dawn Foods, will succeed Hayden Wands, vice president of global procurement, commodities, Grupo Bimbo, Mexico City, as the…

KANSAS CITY — From the moment legislation was proposed to add sesame seeds to the roster of major allergens, commercial bakers knew they would face a new level of compliance challenges. A clash between Bimbo Bakeries USA, the Food and Drug Administration and two non-governmental organizations reveals the depth of…

WASHINGTON — The American Bakers Association (ABA) has formed a partnership with Family Enterprise USA (FEUSA), a nonprofit advocacy group representing family-run companies, to provide more resources to family-owned businesses in the association’s commercial baking community.  Under the alliance, the ABA said it plans to offer members new high-value services…

WASHINGTON — A Congressional Baking Caucus has formed in the US Congress to address issues such as workforce development, regulatory reform, supply chain efficiency and sustainability, according to the American Bakers Association. John Joyce, MD, a Republican representative from Pennsylvania, and Donald G. Davis, a Democrat representative from North Carolina,…

The baking industry workforce challenges are complex. The US education system has been moving away from funneling students into trades for decades now, promoting college education as the best path forward. The image of manufacturing as a career path has declined in the eyes of students, with more visible jobs…

WASHINGTON — At the NextGen Baker Leadership Forum, held Sept. 30-Oct. 1, attendees had the opportunity to hear from industry leaders about how they grew their careers as well as what the future of the industry looks like. NextGen Baker co-chairs Lili Economakis, division vice president, customer development, non-commercial, Aspire…

WASHINGTON — With a strong focus on advocacy, the American Bakers Association (ABA) has bolstered its government relations team. In addition to Rasma Zvaners, vice president of government relations, the team now includes Campbell Genn, senior director of government relations; Thomas Bailey, director government relations; and Bill Dumais, manager of…

WASHINGTON — The Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) Network may offer an opportunity for the wholesale baking industry to introduce the industry to younger generations as a potential career path. At the Nexus of Baking conference, held Oct. 1-3, Nate Clayberg, business and industry director, CAPS Network, and Jennifer…

WASHINGTON — The American Bakers Association (ABA) has named two new board members to fill open seats for the 2024-26 term: Kim Albers-Nisbet and Carrie Jones-Barber. Albers-Nisbet is chief executive officer of Franz Family Bakery, also known as United States Bakery. She has been in the baking industry for more…

WASHINGTON — A tentative agreement ended the East Coast and Gulf Coast longshore workers strike late Thursday, much earlier than expected. The new deal extends union and port operators’ master contract until Jan. 15, 2025.  The American Bakers Association (ABA) released a statement applauding the reopening of the ports.  “Every…