IBIE - 2016 Show Daily, Sunday - 3

Convergence and crossover bring new solutions In today's world of increased - and often instantaneous - consumer demands, wholesale bakers face the need to adjust faster than they ever have before. And that can often mean expanding product offerings or creating entirely new lines in the shortest turnaround time possible. Just as baking companies are expanding their product lines and extending their brands, so are suppliers developing new and more strategic ways to serve their customers' needs. In this respect, the Markel Food Group, which includes AMF Bakery Systems (Booth No. 5119), Reading Bakery Systems (Booth No. 5109) and Tromp Group (Booth No. 5407), can support expanding bakery needs. "We help bakers by enabling them to come to one supplier for a larger portion of the line, and it puts the burden of integration on us, not the baker," said Ken Newsome, president and CEO, Markel Food Group Through Markel's leadership, AMF Bakery Systems, Reading Bakery Systems and Tromp Group can offer targeted expertise for specific product types while at the same time providing a broader perspective on the baking process. Markel companies often work with and complement one another. For example, AMF Bakery Systems has partnered with Tromp Group to incorporate new sheeting technology into more traditional bread manufacturing. "AMF is also bringing a revolutionary breakthrough to bread and roll production by introducing Reading Bakery Systems' proven continuous mixing technology," Mr. Newsome said. "Because of our integrated solutions, our technical sales teams must understand the entire process and not just how an New partnership for Shick Solutions marries business and people Shick Solutions (Booth No. 4811) recently announced that it joined Bretèche Industrie Group, a global company with eight plants located in France, Germany and the Czech Republic. The company's most wellknown brands include mixing companies Diosna (Booths No. 10507, No. 10705) and VMI (Booth No. 6147), as well as ingredient han- dling company Esteve (10705). Shick's operating shareholders Joe, Mark and Matt Ungashick, all sons of founder William Ungashick, had no official plans to sell the business, yet when approached by Bretèche, saw a great opportunity for the business by becoming part of the group. The acquisition provides mutual benefits in terms (From left) Joe Ungashick, Tim Cook and Didier Soumet express excitement about a shared vision of corporate culture and new global strategies for Shick Solutions (Booth No. 4811). of technology, expertise, geography and culture for both companies. "Our strategy is to offer the best solutions for our customers, from the silo to the exit of the mixer," said Didier Soumet, president and CEO, Bretèche. Through these distinct companies, bakers will be offered complete integrated solutions. "Our ingredient handling companies will work with the mixing side to offer customers complete integration including scaling and conveying of ingredients and mixing, as well as predough, if necessary." Additionally, the synergy between Shick and Esteve will bring more solutions to more bakers worldwide, and all Bretèche companies are working together at IBIE 2016 to develop new global strategies for both ingredient handling and mixing. But it's about more than the solutions. It's the people and the cultures of the companies who bring those solutions to the industry. "I'm filled with excitement individual component performs a specific function," he added. "We are able to blend technologies wherever appropriate." These companies work together not only for integration but also for convergence, as each Markel company maintains its own knowledge, responsiveness and expertise. "No one company can be all things to all bakers, but what we can do is understand technologies that traditionally existed in individual companies and help them transcend the industry to help a wider range of bakers," Mr. Newsome said. "It not only helps bakers increase their capabilities, but it also helps us - and the industry - grow." - Joanie Spencer, Baking & Snack about what we'll be able to do for the industry by being a bigger part of the solutions for our customers," said Tim Cook, president and CEO, Shick Solutions. "I'm also excited as I look around the booth at this team of people and the opportunity this creates for them going forward." This enthusiasm runs throughout this new partnership. "These are not just process companies. They're companies of human beings," Mr. Soumet said. This feeling is something that made the partnership work from the beginning. "We knew this was a marketing fit, a business fit," Mark Ungashick said. "But what really hit home was the similarity in culture. They were so similar to us in terms of our values - it felt like the perfect fit." Joe Ungashick shared the sentiment. "This industry is about the relationships. Some people call it collegiate. I say there's a fraternal hospitality in this industry that doesn't exist elsewhere. It's about relationships first - where I go from here, the relationships will go with me. I'm excited for the future of these companies." Mark and Joe Ungashick will remain members of Shick's advisory board. - Joanie Spencer, Baking & Snack Sunday, October 9, 2016 * IBIE * 3

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