Meat&Poultry - November 2013 - 32

Supplying the toolS

It didn't take Chuck Bildstein long to figure
out the critical nature of his job.
"

Two months into the job [as product specialist for

Noting the change, Bildstein says, "I'm doing a lot more

captive-bolt stunners], I really got my feet wet on hu-

traveling, training and supporting equipment for on-farm

mane handling," he recounts. "Late in 2003, I got a call

use. I've done work on the swine side for about five years

from a plant manager who said, 'My plant is shut down

now. We just started on the poultry side for on-farm eu-

because my equipment's not working properly and the

thanasia, and I'm also working extensively with beef and

government is involved.' That's when I realized that this is

dairy producers introducing equipment to them as alter-

really important and it impacts both animals and people.

natives to rifles, shotguns, and handguns."

I knew then what I needed to do to help our customers."

Bildstein is grateful for the support his company,

As a product specialist, Bildstein supports Bunzl's

Bunzl Processor Division (BPD), gives him that allows

electric stunner used in large hog plants. But most of his

him to get involved in a lot of different activities.

time is devoted to the Cash line

"Nobody does this alone,

of captive-bolt stunners from

and Bunzl is committed to be-

Accles and Shelvoke (A&S) in

ing a premium partner for the

Birmingham, England, which

meat industry in improving

Bunzl distributes in the US.

animal welfare," he explains.

"I know how critical the

One of those facets was re-

equipment is to animal welfare,"

flected in 2007 when the Na-

he says. "I take a lot of pride in

tional Pork Board challenged

helping plants work through is-

manufact urers to bui ld a

sues. I get a lot of satisfaction in

more-effective euthanasia tool.

hearing from the plant that I've

He helped coordinate efforts

improved their animal-welfare

with A&S to modify the exist-

program."

ing Cash Special and deliver it

Bildstein says turnover, main-

to the US market in 30 days.

tenance and safety are the things

That led to the development of

that keep him busy in the plants.

the Cash Euthanasia unit, re-

"The biggest issues I'm dealing

leased in 2009. This unit pro-

Chuck Bildstein

with are keeping people prop-

vides the ultimate in flexibil-

erly trained and the equipment

ity with four interchangeable,

in good working condition," he

quick change heads. This gives

says. "To provide better service to our customers, we

multiple options for euthanizing animals of different age,

have developed our own safety-maintenance and clean-

size and species.

ing videos."

Expanding role

Training and research
If spanning the spectrum of humane stunning through-

Bildstein has expanded his role further up the livestock

Bildstein finds himself in places and situations he never

fare concern, and the Cash equipment, due to its porta-

thought possible. He is a regular presenter at university

bility, has proven to be an ideal tool for application on the

veterinary schools throughout North America. He says

farm for producers and veterinarians.

32

out the livestock industry didn't keep him busy enough,

chain. On-farm euthanasia has become a prominent wel-

that part of his lecture always includes a chance for each

* Meat&Poultry * November 2013 * www.MeatPoultry.com
http://www.MeatPoultry.com
Meat&Poultry - November 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Meat&Poultry - November 2013
