Business Briefs

Toronto-based Canada Bread Co. Ltd. has acquired in March the assets and business of Harvestime Limited Bakery, Walsall, England. Harvestime produces par-baked breads, rolls and specialty artisan bakery products, with sales of about 19 million pounds sterling. Canada Bread Co., Ltd. is a leading Canadian manufacturer of value-added flour-based products and fresh pasta to the retail and foodservice markets, and has four brand names: Dempster’s, POM, Olivieri and Tenderflake.
J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc., Neenah, Wisc., has redesigned its Web site, www.jjkeller.com. The new site offers single-click access to information about the company’s full product catalog and services, as well as product samples and demonstrations, news, special reports and reference materials. J.J. Keller is a specialized publisher and services provider that helps customers in industries such as food processing, transportation, construction, utilities and manufacturing.
Frito-Lay has given Archer Daniels Midland Co. Food Oils Group, Decatur, Ill., the North America Supplier of the Year Award for the fifth consecutive time. The group was recognized for its continued innovation in the areas of customer service, research and product development, supply chain and risk management in March in Plano, Texas.
SPI Polyols will be honored at the Fifth Annual Promise Ball on June 10 for its ongoing support of the Delaware Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International. SPI is the top corporate partner of the gala, which it has supported for the past two years, in addition to last year’s JDRF Walk for a Cure. The black-tie gala in Wilmington, Del., is expected to raise more than $500,000 for juvenile diabetes research.
Kraft Foods, Northfield, Ill. – Jeri Finard has been named executive vice president of the Global Category Department, which is responsible for driving new product growth platforms and leading global strategies. Previously, Finard led Kraft’s North American Beverages Sector as group vice president and president.
Kerry Ingredients, Beloit, Wis. – Christopher Warsow has been hired as research chef – new business development to spearhead culinary concept development for new activities for its specialty ingredients business. Warsow brings with him more than 15 years of culinary experience, as well as two years of experience in commercial product development.
Robert L. Cummins, 54, the recently named president of Leeland Baking Co. in Houston, a Flowers subsidiary, died unexpectedly on May 15. Cummins was a 24-year Flowers veteran who joined the company in 1982 and served as vice president of operations at its bakeries in Houston, San Antonio and Goldsboro, N.C. He is survived by his wife, Pam; their two children, Christy and Bobby Jr.; and three grandchildren.
King’s Hawaiian, Torrance, Calif. – Stanley Shaffer has been named vice president of operations. Shaffer has served as vice president of manufacturing for Fresh Start Bakeries in Brea, Calif.
Mariani Packing Co. , Vacaville, Calif.– Following a restructuring, Glenn Schaffner leads the North America Retail Business Unit. Steve Cauchi now heads the Special Markets Business Unit. Steve Sousa runsthe Ingredient and Industrial Business Unit. Patti Newsom serves as director of business development, working with Jeff Freeman, executive vice president.
(pic on server)
Ocean Spray, Lakeville-Middleboro, Mass. – Rob Beams has been appointed vice president, agricultural supply development. Previously, Beams was head of the company’s Ingredient Technology Group.
Wenger Manufacturing, Sabetha, Kan. – The Wenger Technical Center recently made Rhonni Mitchell a technician in its agrifood laboratory.
Wheat Foods Council, Parker, Colo. – Lynn Holly has been named communications director. She previously served as advertising, marketing and promotions director for Western Dairy Promotion Association.