Meat + Poultry - February 2016 - 8

C O M M E N TA R Y

Proud to be a partner
I first met Chris Salm about two
years ago as part of a 30-minute
interview. During our brief visit, it
was abundantly evident this was
a man with a clear vision and an
uncompromising commitment to
creating a successful business and
living a meaningful life. His respectand trust-centered business
strategy dovetails seamlessly to
his faith-based leadership as cofounder of Salm Partners. Chris'
infectious passion for his business
and his life, I later discovered, is
a vital part of the fabric of the
Since its
founding, Salm company he co-founded with his
three brothers in 2005.
Partners' sole
With an enviably positive
reputation that precedes him, I
mission has
was well aware of the respect he
been "to serve
has earned from many people in
as an avenue of the industry before we met. From
former coworkers he worked
growth to our
alongside early in his career at
partners."
Oscar Mayer to the many suppliers
and processors he works with
today, everyone agrees that Salm's talk matches his
walk. It was an obvious honor when I was afforded the
opportunity to spend the better part of a day last month
seeing and hearing the story of Salm Partners from the
plant where it all started in Denmark, Wisc.
There are few people like Chris, who can so succinctly
and eloquently spell out the mission and goals of their
company and their commitment to their customers - who
he respectfully refers to as "brand marketers."
As co-packer to many of the industry's best-known
brands in the pre-cooked, gourmet sausage and hot dog

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MEAT+ POULTRY | 02.16 | www.meatpoultry.com

segments, Salm Partners has been content and very
successful flying quietly under the radar as a company that
was founded on commitments to a handful of technology
providers without the security of any commitments
from customers. This month's cover story (see Page 16)
chronicles the company's history, its unique go-to-market
strategy and the technology partnerships that have
enabled it to succeed.
Chris epitomizes servant leadership and takes
that same approach in serving his company's multiple
categories of "partners." To hear him talk about Salm
Partners using its collective experience, gifts and talents
to showcase and legitimize technologies and then seeing
that philosophy put into practice at the Denmark plant is
beyond impressive. Chris proudly admits the approach
is very much based on the firm foundation in his faith,
avoiding the opportunity to become world-centered or
self-centered. It came as little surprise that he mentioned a
Bible scripture (1 Peter 4:10) in describing the use of gifts
to serve others.
Since its founding, Salm Partners' sole mission has
been "to serve as an avenue of growth to our partners,"
Chris said, adding that if the company doesn't fulfill
that mission, it will never realize two critical values:
appreciation and celebration.
Chris summarized: "We have to be very clear: What are
we here for? What do we do? and How are we going to
apply our gifts and talents to help whom with what?"
Count me among the throngs of people throughout the
industry who are inspired by Salm Partners' story while
proudly considering the company a trusted partner of M+P.
JOEL CREWS, EDIT OR-IN-CHIEF | jcre ws@sosland.com
http://www.meatpoultry.com
Meat + Poultry - February 2016

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