John Urbanski, vice president of technical sales and services at Cargill Cocoa Chocolate, received the Stroud Jordan Award from the American Association of Candy Technologists (AACT) for his outstanding contributions to the field of confectionery technology.

John Urbanski




Del Monte Foods Company’s subsidiary, Del Monte Corporation, completed the sale of its seafood business, including StarKist, to Dongwon Industries Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries for approximately $359 million.


The Sunny Delight Beverages Co. signed a licensing agreement with Kraft Foods Inc. to produce and market Kraft’s Crystal Light ready-to-drink bottled beverages through most distribution channels in the US. Kraft Foodservice will continue to sell Crystal Light ready-to-drink beverages through its existing outlets.

Jorgen M. Clausen (foreground) and Niels B. Christiansen (background)

Jorgen M. Clausen, president and CEO of Danfoss, has retired and will become chairman of the company next Spring. Niels B. Christiansen, who joined the company in 2004, assumes the positions of president and CEO.


The PMMI membership elected six new members to the PMMI 2009 board of directors. They include Richard A. Bahr, CEO and president, MGS Machine Corporation; Jeffrey Bigger, president and owner, MASSMAN Automation Designs, LLC; Richard P. Fox, Jr., president and CEO, FOX IV Technologies, Inc; Rocky Marquis, president, MARQ Packaging Systems, Inc; Mark S. Reichert, president, A-B-C Packaging Machine Corporation; and Carol Shuttleworth, president & CEO, Shuttleworth, Inc. PMMI’s 2009 executive committee consists of Randy L. Spahr, chairman of the board, Goodman Packaging Equipment; Glenn R. Siegele, vice chairman, Omega Design Corporation; James E. Anderson, past chairman, Marlen; and Charles D. Yuska, president & CEO, PMMI.