Baking & Snack - April 2024 - 14

Rich expands cake
production capacity
Buffalo, NY-based Rich Products Corp. is investing $27 million
to expand cake and cupcake production capacity at a plant in
Morristown, Tenn., according to the company.
Expected to be completed in September, the project will add
2,400 square feet of space to the plant, resulting in the addition of
51 new manufacturing
jobs. With the expansion,
Rich's employee
headcount in Tennessee
will reach nearly 1,400.
Rich's, which has had
a presence in Tennessee
for more than 50 years,
operates a network of
manufacturing plants in
the state, including two in Morristown that currently employ 650.
The expansion " will directly support enhanced production " of
the company's bakery business, which has been growing and serves
national and regional supermarket and club retailers, Rich's said.
" We continue to invest in our US manufacturing footprint, " said
Kevin Spratt, president, US Canada Region. " As a member of the
Tennessee community for nearly 50 years, we're excited about what
this expansion project will do for our business and the region. "
- Josh Sosland, Milling & Baking News
Ali Abdullah Elmusa, baking
industry veteran, dies
Ali Abdullah Elmusa, a longtime member of
the baking industry, died March 13.
Born in Habaka, Jordan, in 1949, he beElmusa
came
a United States citizen in his early 20s.
He studied engineering at the University
of Missouri-Kansas City and Finlay
Engineering College, and he earned a bachelor's
degree.
Elmusa worked for Continental Baking
and Wonder Bread and developed an interest in advanced baking
science. He then went to work in the research and development lab
at Archer Daniels Midland, where he was employed for 20 years.
He developed many successful products and was a contributor
on several food product patents. Elmusa later worked for Custom
Foods in De Soto, Kan., before retiring.
Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Mary Hamam Elmusa,
sons Joseph and Sam Elmusa, daughter-in-law Melissa Hoffman
and grandson Anthony Elmusa.
14 Baking & Snack April 2024 / www.bakingbusiness.com
Kellanova makes
sustainability push
Kellanova, Chicago, said it plans to achieve 90% renewable energy
across its North America-based manufacturing units by the end
of 2024.
The company plans to achieve this via a wind energy virtual
power purchase agreement (VPPA) for approximately 360 gigawatt
hours of wind electricity annually in North America.
" Today's announcement
is a big step toward achieving our
'Better Days Promise goal' of 100% renewable electricity across
our global manufacturing facilities by the end of 2030, " said Janelle
Meyers, chief sustainability officer, Kellanova.
Kellanova's wind farm in North Central Texas will add clean energy
resources to the community's local grid, equivalent to 90%
of the electricity used across its North American manufacturing
facilities.
The shift toward renewable energy reduces the company's reliance
on nonrenewable energy sources and helps to mitigate the
risks associated with volatile energy price, the company said.
Kellanova's European manufacturing facilities have achieved
100% renewable electricity by purchasing renewable energy certificates
(RECs). The company has been purchasing RECs since 2016.
Additionally, Kellanova is in the early stages of a research program
partnership with the UK government to establish the potential use
of green hydrogen as an alternative to natural gas.
In the Asia, Middle East and Africa region, Kellanova has grown
the share of renewable electricity from 1% in 2018 to 33% in 2023
through various solutions, such as using solar panels in owned facilities
in India, South Africa, Thailand and Malaysia.
In Latin America, Kellanova's facility in Colombia sources 100%
renewable electricity through hydroelectric energy.
- Lisa Munger, Milling & Baking News
ABA board approves
updated bylaws
The board of governors of the American Bakers Association (ABA)
has approved the adoption of updated bylaws for the organization.
The bylaws were developed over the past 12 months in a process
with the organization's general counsel, board of directors and
professional staff, the ABA said. The revisions were designed to
improve operational efficiency through continuous improvement.
Eric Dell, president and chief executive officer of the ABA, said,
" ABA is steadfast in its commitment to growing, connecting and
enhancing the baking industry. We are confident these updated
bylaws give us the necessary foundation to support the industry's
continued growth and success most professionally. "
- Josh Sosland, Milling & Baking News
http://www.bakingbusiness.com
Baking & Snack - April 2024

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