Author: mmoao

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…

WASHINGTON — The American Bakers Association (ABA) NextGen Baker Leadership Forum sold out with its largest crowd ever at 78 attendees, exemplifying the baking industry’s priority in investing in the next generation of leadership. With today’s workforce crunch, Lili Economakis, co-chair of NextGen Baker and division vice president, customer development…

WASHINGTON — Seven months after launching its new strategic plan, the American Bakers Association (ABA) has supported its roll-out by visiting members on its Charting the Course tour, hiring staff to support the various initiatives and doubling down on industry research. All of these aim to provide the infrastructure necessary…

WASHINGTON — Food is still “stupid expensive.” That was the consumer sentiment echoed in Anne-Marie Roerink’s latest research, Bakery Playbook: A Deep Dive Into Consumer Trends, presented at NextGen Baker Leadership Forum, held Sept. 30-Oct. 1 in Washington, DC. Roerink, principal 210 Analytics, outlined how bakery is performing in both…

WASHINGTON — The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) is increasing rapidly across industries, and manufacturing is no exception.  While most manufacturers report being in the early stages of AI adoption, 78% plan to increase AI spending in the next two years, while 52% have a corporate AI strategy, according to…