Industry and People
Dean Foods has entered into a strategic alliance with Baskin-Robbins to manufacture and distribute ice cream to Baskin-Robbins' franchised retail outlets throughout most of the nation. Baskin-Robbins is operated and marketed by Allied Domecq Quick Service Restaurants. The production will be handled at four Dean Foods locations: Alta-Dena Dairy in Southern Calif.; Creamland Dairies in Albuquerque, New Mex.; Barber Dairy in Birmingham, Ala. and Dean's Belvidere, Ill. ice cream facility. The exclusive supply arrangement gives Dean $85 million in additional ice cream sales and more effectively utilizes Dean's existing production capacity while extending its distribution reach from coast to coast. Baskin-Robbins creates and markets high-quality premium ice cream, specialty frozen desserts and beverages in the company's more than 4,400 retail stores around the globe.
Land O'Lakes, Inc. and the North American Division of Paris-based Bongrain SA announced their intention to form a joint venture in aseptic (sterile-packaged) products. Terms were not disclosed. Complementary product lines and geographies are among the key elements that make the two organizations a very good fit in the aseptic area. Combined aseptic product sales for the two organizations totaled approximately $180 million in 1999. Land O'Lakes currently operates aseptic production facilities in Clear Lake, Wis., and Northumberland, Pa. Bongrain's North American aseptic facilities include Major Smith in New Holland, Pa., and Real Fresh in Visalia, Calif. Typical aseptic products include cheese sauces, ready-to-drink specialty beverages and puddings.
Thomas M. Zinnen, Ph.D., the Institute of Food Technologists' 2000-2001 Congressional Science Fellow, accepted a position in October with the majority office of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture. As a Congressional Fellow on the committee staff, Zinnen will work on issues related to biotechnology and other science and technology issues, including pesticides.
Jason Kearns has recently joined TKO Doors, the country's leading knockout door manufacturer, to bring sales and service coverage for enhanced material handling operations throughout Ohio, Michigan and Kentucky. Working out of Mansfield, Ohio, Kearns will bring his over five years of sales experience to his territory.
The American Meat Institute (AMI) announced that Josee Daoust has joined AMI as public affairs manager and on-line editor. Daoust joins the Institute with six years of experience in the newspaper industry, most recently las a newspaper reporter in Lanham, MD. Daoust's responsibilities at AMI will include drafting press releases, fact sheets and talking points, handling media inquiries and monitoring key issues affecting the industry. Daoust also will edit content for AMI's new online portal MeatAMI.com.
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