Baking & Snack - April 2024 - 11

SPECIAL REPORT
ABA Strategic Plan
to enhance food security around the nation, empower
" industry leaders to transform their companies " and
" promote the role baked goods play in policymaker and
public consciousness. "
" Higher level impact " is how the plan describes its
ambitions for the association, committing to " bolstering
programs and services to ensure high-value impact for
the membership and the baking industry. "
" We will foster a strong association culture that encourages
employee longevity and the development in industry
expertise; ensure a premium member experience with curated
programs that bring relevant and solutions-focused
thought leadership to all ABA forums; and serve as the
leader for the commercial baking industry, " Dell said.
" OUR MISSION IS FOCUSED:
TO GROW, CONNECT AND
ENHANCE THE BAKING
INDUSTRY THROUGH
COMPELLING ADVOCACY,
EVENTS AND THOUGHT
LEADERSHIP. "
Eric Dell, ABA
Encompassed within the final pillar is a commitment
to protecting the interests of bakers and suppliers, serving
as a " conduit for trusted business connections " and
collaborating for " common cause. "
The plan is a product of more than two dozen interviews
with members and reflects survey feedback from
more than 150 other members, Dell said. He noted that
42 " listening sessions " were held around the country.
" The members' guidance and feedback has been invaluable
in shaping this strategic plan, " Dell said.
Ahead of the ABA board meeting presentation, Dell
has embarked on a " Charting the Course Tour, " which
began in mid-March, meeting with members in their facilities
to discuss the plan's objectives and identify ways
" we can work together to achieve the goals and drive
greater prosperity " for individual bakers and the baking
industry.
Bill Quigg, vice chairman of the ABA, urged bakers
to do their part in turning the plan's objectives into
reality, particularly around workforce recruitment
and retention.
" Specifically, you can activate your company's HR
representative to provide strategic direction to ABA's resource
and thought leadership creation as part of the HR
Professionals Task Force, " said Quigg, who is president
of Richmond Baking Co., Richmond, Ind.
He also encouraged bakers to share contributions
they make within their communities with the ABA.
" ABA is gathering those stories to champion our industry
across the county, " he said.
To allied members, Quigg said the ABA needs their
" innovation, technology and thought leadership. "
Sprinkled through the media event were appearances
and brief presentations by Stephen K. Benjamin, assistant
to the president, senior adviser to the president and director
of the White House Office of Public Engagement; Rep.
John Joyce of Pennsylvania; and Kumar Chandran, acting
Under Secretary of the US Department of Agriculture for
Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services.
of bakers
said a lack
of labor would increase
their capital spending
plans for 2024.
2023-24 Baking & Snack/BEMA Industrial Baking Industry Capital Spending Study
of bakers
reported
attracting and retaining
workforce was their
biggest business challenge
for the next 12-18 months.
*
www.bakingbusiness.com / April 2024 Baking & Snack 11
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http://www.bakingbusiness.com
Baking & Snack - April 2024

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