Ryan McGrath’s Post

𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐊𝐮𝐧𝐳𝐥𝐞𝐫 & 𝐂𝐨. 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐜𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Clemens Food Group, a big player in the U.S. pork processing industry, recently bought Kunzler & Co., a company that makes products like hot dogs, bacon, and ham. Kunzler has been around since 1901 and pulls in about $150 million a year in sales. By acquiring Kunzler, Clemens isn't just buying the company; they're also committing to keep the Kunzler brand and its factories in Pennsylvania running as usual. This helps ensure that the business continues smoothly without losing its established identity or disrupting its operations. The goal here is for Clemens Food Group to boost the Kunzler brand and introduce more products, which fits into their broader plan to support and grow the agricultural and food processing scene in Pennsylvania. Even though they haven't figured out exactly how they'll blend their existing employees with the new ones from Kunzler, the former president of Kunzler, Chris Kunzler, is optimistic. He believes Clemens will bring new ideas and opportunities to the brand. For Clemens, this acquisition is a strategic move to strengthen their position in the market and help develop the region's economy. More information you can go here: https://lnkd.in/guZ8EfYP To know more about Clemens Food Group visit here: https://lnkd.in/gdBkWBAh #AgriculturalEconomics #LivestockIndustry #meatprocessing #porprocessing #Acquisition #operations

As I make my way to Bentonville, it feels like the perfect moment to share this insightful article by Lukas Southard of BevNET.com When he wrote it back in July, I’ll admit—it took me by surprise. About a year and a half ago, an investor told me, "You sure know how to handle the hard stuff—but can you manage the easy things?" That question stuck with me. What does "easy" mean? In an environment of cheap, undisciplined capital, I think he meant “marketing”—in other words, doing your best to convince the public that your incrementally different widget is worthy of their time, attention, and hard-earned dollars. "Easy"? Yeah, I can do that... but I think I lost him in my explanation of why that would also be a waste of my time. "Simple"—now that’s something worthy of pursuit. Early in my career, I learned that simplicity is often misunderstood, and designing for simplicity is rarely “easy.” Take fish jerky, for instance. It’s been around since the 1400s under different names, yet it hasn’t become mainstream because traditional methods often lead to mold, listeria, and other risks you don’t want incubating in your gut. So, no—speed to market using the old ways, while easy, didn’t seem like a worthwhile nor responsible pursuit. So my journey started in something that more resembled an engineering lab than a kitchen, figuring out how to produce safe, delicious, healthy seafood protein snacks, and then understanding the rest of the business process needed to build around and scale a new innovation. Is it easy? Absolutely not. But is the result elegantly simple? Yes. And I often hear, "Why hasn’t anyone done this before?" Which, I must admit, delights me. There was a lot more hard work that came after our product design. You can read about some of that in Lukas’ article, along with the systemic and structural challenges we’ve had to overcome, such as re-educating the marketplace about persistently mischaracterized and misunderstood supply chains in a post-Seaspiracy world. Today, as I reflect on that investor’s question after a weekend of back-and-forth with my team preparing for this pitch, I’ve come to appreciate the ‘easy’ part: sharing our innovations with world-class customers like Walmart and eventually, the world. There were no shortcuts, and I see why people enjoy the ‘easy’ part—just don’t forget, you have to take care of the ‘simple’ things first. Read more about Pescavore's journey: Pescavore’s Long Road To Scaling Tuna Jerky https://lnkd.in/gbMHktaR #emergingbrand #foodinnovation #seafood #sustainableseafood #manufacturing #foodmanufacturing #snacks #opencall2024 #walmart #scaleup #startup #tuna

When comparing two solutions, it is not just about the immediate impression you get, but also about the long-term value they bring. CANTEK MEAT TECHNOLOGIES clientele is always worth the best and trust is always mutual. #ExcellingInMeat #Abattoir #TheBest TARIK ISGUZAR

Avocados to start 2024! The team at Avocados from Mexico learned it could drive significant growth by enabling new use cases, rather than aggressively targeting new customers who may never have tried one. Introducing the incredible growth strategy story that came out of the work my colleagues at PA Consulting did with Avocados from Mexico. #growthstrategy #innovation #paconsulting

We are beyond excited to share that we are recipients of the Coles Nurture Fund in 2024. The funds will help to accelerate our transition to Net Zero Emissions, through enhanced Battery and Inverter Capacity, and state-of-the-art ceramic membrane water filtration, designed to allow the recycling of our waste water into a usable process stream. This will ultimately help us to bring our overall water consumption to 2.5 litres per litre of Beer (currently sitting at 3.5 litres per litre of Beer), a best in class usage rate. Our current emissions-286 grams per litre of CO2e- represents a total emission that is 19% of the industry average emission for beer production - a huge achievement for a little brewery in Jindong. With the help of this grant, we aim to be at zero emissions in 2025 (Scope 1 & 2 emissions). Stay tuned for further updates as we continue to push the boundaries for emissions reductions, waste reduction and environmental responsibility in the manufacturing space.

Honoring a Legacy While Building the Future of Food A few years ago, I was handed something that would become a profound symbol in my life: my grandfather’s original inc stamp. His company, built on commitment, dedication, integrity, and trust, was eventually acquired by what we now know as Farmboy. That stamp stayed with me long after his business closed, reminding me of the values that transcend generations. Inspired by those values, I decided to re-incorporate his company under its original name: Langley Foods Inc. At Langley Foods, we carry forward that same dedication to integrity and trust with a modern focus on sustainability, innovation, and socio-economic equity. Our mission is to Build Delicious Brands and to seed and support emerging food and beverage brands that are poised to disrupt the market while being deeply committed to the environment and community. One of our most exciting projects right now is our collaboration with JOSE Gourmet ,a boutique cannery in Portugal. Together, we’re working to launch “Nice Cans”, a new line of beautifully crafted sardine products for the Global Market. This partnership is not just about product creation—it’s about celebrating sustainability. We’re implementing a revenue-sharing model for co-packing and have successfully secured both Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certifications for their plant, reflecting our shared commitment to sustainable and responsible seafood. Langley Foods Inc. it’s not just about building brands—it’s about creating a positive, lasting impact. Whether it’s partnering with forward-thinking companies like Jose Gourmet, promoting eco-conscious practices, or supporting regenerative agriculture, we are here to build delicious, sustainable brands that consumers can trust. Here’s to continuing the legacy and building a future where food brings joy and connection, while honoring the planet and people behind it. #LegacyAndInnovation #LangleyFoods #BuildingDeliciousBrands #FoodEntrepreneurship #Sustainability #JoseGourmet #MSC #CPG #CanadianFoodIndustry #SocioEconomicEquity #SustainableSeafood

🥂 A Toast to Innovation & Legacy: Celebrating Bundaberg Brewed Drinks 🥂 In the business world, few stories are as inspiring as that of Cliff Fleming and Bundaberg Brewed Drinks. What began as a family venture in 1968 has blossomed into a global phenomenon, with a presence in over 60 countries and a turnover exceeding $250m. The unveiling of their $150m headquarters marks a significant milestone, symbolising growth and a steadfast commitment to quality and innovation. Led by the vision of Cliff and the dedication of CEO John McLean, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks stands as a testament to what passion, resilience, and family values can achieve. At Ulton, we celebrate the remarkable journey of Bundaberg Brewed Drinks. Their story is a beacon of entrepreneurial excellence and a reminder of the enduring power of family and innovation. Here's to Cliff Fleming, his family, and the Bundaberg team – may your future be as bright and spirited as your ginger beer! #BundabergBrewedDrinks #Innovation #FamilyBusiness #SuccessStory

We’re setting sail with Hätälä! 🌊🌬️⛵ I’m super happy to share that we’ve partnered with Hätälä Oy, one of Finland’s top fish processors. Together, we’re taking Atlantic salmon sidestreams and turning them into innovative products that are now reaching kitchens and markets not just here in Finland, but also abroad. 🌍✨ What I like about working with Hätälä is their forward-thinking approach and commitment to sustainability—values that really resonate with us. By using fish sidestreams, we’re making strides toward a more circular, sustainable seafood industry. And this is just the start. There are plenty more exciting milestones ahead as we work to set a new global standard for sidestream processing. ✅✨ Hailia Nordic Oy Otto Kaukonen, Taina Lahtinen, Minna Kaunisto #seafoodinnovation #circulareconomy #partnership

Behind our successes stand people and the behind concept of Bene Meat CEO Roman Kříž. Roman is a lawyer, activist, and in 2020 founded the company Bene Meat, which is involved in the development of cultured meat and has achieved global success. Watch the interview with Roman, where he talks about cultured meat in the context of current and future gastronomy. #benemeat #cultivatedmeat #environment #healthymeat #crueltyfree #Sustainability #BMT

Plant-based cheesemaker Climax Foods has secured bridge funding it claims will fund operations through the year-end after a challenging period in which it has furloughed staff to conserve cash. CEO Dr. Oliver Zahn—an astrophysicist turned food entrepreneur who founded Climax Foods in 2019—explained: “We have raised bridge funds from existing investors to extend our runway to next year. As we close the round and money is coming in, we’re bringing people back from furlough... In line with the evolution of the company from largely R&D to multiple commercial rollouts phase, we are also restructuring and hiring for new roles on the commercial side.” According to Zahn: “We’re assembling a board with this term sheet, as right now it’s just me with a lot of advisors as we have not yet raised a priced round. We’re creating a more formal board with the conclusion of this round.” Asked whether he would remain in the CEO role, Zahn said: “TBD. In line with the commercial trajectory, we will be on the lookout for a strong commercial lead at the exec level, so I can focus on science and vision.” #foodtech #plantbased #plantbasedcheese #altdairy #foodinnovation #ai AgFunder Climax Foods