SUPPLIER NEWS

Piab has launched a new, customer-centric website. The Piab.com website is one of Piab’s most important customer facing touchpoints. With more than 650,000 users each year, Piab decided to up the ante on both the visual identity and the user experience of the new website. Through countless internal and external interviews, Piab has created an even more customer-centric website, which focuses on existing customers as well as exploring users.

Global packaging business TricorBraun has announced the completion of its previously announced definitive stock purchase agreement with funds managed by Ares Management Corp.’s Private Equity Group and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board. Ares and Ontario Teachers’ have acquired a majority interest in the company. TricorBraun’s management team, including Executive Chairman Keith Strope and Carruthers, will continue to lead the company. TricorBraun’s leadership team will also retain a significant investment in the company, as will its former majority owner, AEA Investors.

Seebo has announced its extended Series B financing round, for a total of $24 million. The funding will be used to further expand its global reach and continue enhancing its process-based artificial intelligence solution. The round was led by Vertex Ventures with participation from 10D, The Phoenix, and Leumi Partners.

American Sugar Refining, Inc., a member of ASR Group, has made a strategic investment in Bonumose, Inc. to produce and commercialize lower-cost, plant-based alternative sweeteners tagatose and allulose, as part of ASR Group’s strategy to provide a variety of products to meet the wide range of consumer needs. The Series B investment round in Bonumose, a start-up company with innovations in plant-based food ingredients, was co-led by American Sugar Refining and The Hershey Co.

Cargill, National Black Growers Council, and 100 Ranchers have partnered to address racial inequity in agriculture. Cargill is looking to partner across the industry, from fields and ranches to restaurants and grocery stores, to help dismantle racial inequity. To accelerate progress, the company has announced the Black Farmer Equity Initiative, in partnership with the National Black Growers Council and 100 Ranchers, to work with customers, non-profits, and others to help increase the participation and profitability of black farmers. As a first step, the partners will convene listening sessions with black farmers, ranchers, and producers to map barriers and prioritize ways to improve market access and financial inclusion, sustainable agricultural practices, support next-generation agriculture leaders, and advocate for policies that advance equity in agriculture.

Flavorchem recently celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. Recently, the flavor and fragrance industry saw several recent mergers and acquisitions as the world’s top suppliers seek opportunities to expand their capabilities and customer base. Despite the ongoing consolidations, one Chicago-area based supplier is committed to keeping the business in the family. Founded in 1971 by brothers Salvatore and Phillip Sprovieri, Flavorchem remains family-owned as the corporation proudly celebrates 50 years of business this year.

Ardent Mills has announced its intention to purchase substantially all of the business operations of Hinrichs Trading Co., a North American leader in chickpea sourcing, cleaning, and packing. The move comes as part of Ardent Mills’ strategic growth plan to further invest in specialty ingredient capabilities and diversify its portfolio of solutions, building upon its existing wheat flour business. The parties are continuing with due diligence and expect the deal to close in April 2021.

Berndorf Belt Technology USA has named Jeff Dallstream sales executive of the Western Region North America. He supports their position as leader in steel belt production, process equipment technologies, and customer support. In his new role, Dallstream is responsible for supporting the sales of process equipment for SBS Steel Belt Systems USA (SBS USA), in his region. With the recent acquisition of SBS USA by Berndorf Band Group, all subsidiaries work hand in hand to supply steel belts of the highest quality as well as engineering and manufacturing cooling systems that use those belts.

The Middleby Corp. is proud to announce the grand opening of the Middleby Innovation Kitchens, located in the Dallas area. The 40,000-square-foot, fully functional facility features more than 150 live pieces of equipment showcasing the latest cooking, beverage, automation, and IoT innovations from Middleby. Visitors can participate in demonstrations on the most-advanced commercial kitchen solutions available in the market. Guests will experience cooking innovations in 15 specialized vignettes including pizza, bakery, combi, steam, and automation, among others. The facility also showcases the latest in beverage technologies for brewing and dispensing coffee, beer, frozen drinks, and nitrogenated and carbonated beverages.

Rodem recently celebrated 50 years in business, and welcomed new leadership. Founded by Ohio native Bob Diener in 1971, Rodem has transitioned its family-owned business to the next generation of leaders, as it celebrates its 50th year in business. The four owners, Chris Diener, Jeff Diener, Susan Kerr, and Nancy Finke, are Bob’s children and they now serve on the board of directors while Brock Beach and Kevin Trauth will co-lead the organization as the anchors of the Executive Leadership Team.