Tyson Foods forecasts strong future performance. Also this week: Foodservice Packaging Institute, Heineken USA, Häagen-Dazs, Icelandic USA Inc., Manitowoc Foodservice, Libra Foundation, Naturally Potatoes, and HotSchedules Enterprise
SPRINGDALE, Ark. — John Lochner, chief operating officer of Tyson Foods Inc., told analysts attending Barclays Capital 2010 Back to School Consumer Conference in Boston that he expects Tyson to continue to deliver a strong earnings performance in the foreseeable future. He said the company reported its best performance in Tyson’s history for the first nine months of 2010 and that he expects it to remain strong.
In addition, Tyson’s senior group vice president for poultry and prepared foods told attendees that the company has five poultry facilities eligible to export to Russia and is working to get other plants approved. Tyson shipped its first load of poultry to Russia recently.
FALLS CHURCH, Va. — The executive committee and board of directors of the Foodservice Packaging Institute has selected Lynn M. Dyer as president. She succeeds John R. Burke, who is retiring at the end of the year, as president of the trade association. Dyer has been serving as the FPI’s vice president.
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Heineken USA named Kheri Holland Tillman vice president of trade marketing and sales strategy. The company said Tillman’s appointment is expected to help focus and enhance Heineken’s efforts “to create the industry standard in delivering marketing programs to wholesalers, retailers and consumers.” In her new capacity, Tillman will be responsible for delivering a “brand-centric” view of the company’s portfolio through integrated commercial strategy and planning steeped in consumer insights.
SAN FRANCISCO — Häagen-Dazs and chef Marcus Samuelsson said Adam Hegsted and Hilary Hazeltine were the grand prize winners in the “Häagen-Dazs Brand Chef’s Challenge.” Hegsted, an executive chef at the Coeur d’Alene Casino, Resort & Hotel, won in the dessert category for his Mascarpone Grilled Cheese and Rhubarb with Häagen-Dazs Strawberry Ice Cream recipe. Hazeltine, a beverage innovation chef with Sun Orchard Inc., won in the beverage category for her Frozen Mexican Hot Chocolate recipe. Both were awarded a $2,500 cash prize.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Icelandic USA Inc. said it has introduced a new Corporate Responsibility Policy. The guidelines state that the company’s vision and policies concerning social and environmental issues have been integrated into its business operations. Icelandic said that as a leading global processor and trader in fresh and frozen fish and seafood, it has a responsibility to ensure the sustainability of the resources it utilizes. Among other things, the Icelandic supports the movement to end trade in illegally caught seafood and refuses to be associated with the processing of or trading of fish species threatened with extinction or are legally protected.
NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — Manitowoc Foodservice, together with parent company The Manitowoc Co., released its first sustainability report. The company said it is focusing on extended product life, the use of sustainable and environmentally friendly materials in new products, and helping customers reduce their global footprint. Manitowoc is a 2010 Energy Star partner and a member of the U.S. Green Building Council.
MARS HILL, Maine — Libra Foundation has acquired Naturally Potatoes from Basic American Foods of California for an undisclosed sum. Libra had held a significant ownership stake in the company prior to its sale to Basic American in 2005. Owen Wells, president of Libra Foundation, said Naturally Potatoes “will fit well into our growing family of Pineland Farms companies including Pineland Farms Natural Meats and our Pineland Farms Cheese operation.” Naturally Potatoes produces a diversified mix of refrigerated potato products.
HARRISON, N.Y. — Apple-Metro, the operator of 31 Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar outlets in the New York Metropolitan area, has named Austin, Texas-based HotSchedules Enterprise for restaurant labor management, communication and forecasting. Apple-Metro rolled HotSchedules out to all of its units after conducting a four-restaurant pilot.