Snac World - February 2018 - 23

Above: Vito Palmisano Photography
Bottom: SNAC International

pretzel market and have been long-time supporters
of SNAC International. "It goes way back to Chip's
grandfather being in the industry, and Chip and I are
going on our 30th year with the company," Steve
Huggins said. "This is what we know well, and it
was what our dads knew well. It's just been something that we have always been around."
Bill Mann and Bill Huggins - sometimes referred
to as the "two Bills" - were recognized for their
contributions to the industry when they were inducted into the association's Circle of Honor in 2007.
"That was a great honor for the company as a
whole but primarily for Bill and Bill," Chip Mann
said. "It gave them recognition of what they had
built and the successful customer and supplier relationships that they had developed through SNAC
International for many years. It's a great reflection
of the quality of the business that they built and the
relationships that they have with their customers
and suppliers. It's a legacy that we continue to work
on even in this changing business environment."
As a part of that legacy, Pretzels, Inc., remains
active with SNAC International. "From the beginning, the association has helped us with the networking of our customers and suppliers, and that's
been beneficial to the company's growth over time,"
Steve Huggins said. "SNAC advocates not only for
our business but also for all of the snack industry."
Specifically, Pretzels, Inc., attends SNAXPO, the
Legislative Summit and many of the workshops
the association offers complimentary for its members. Last fall, it sent two of its young managers
to the Emerging Leaders Program at Georgetown
University. "They came back very excited about
what they had learned," Chip Mann said. "It also
gives them the opportunity to meet others and
helps them go out and network with other people
in the industry who can help when they have questions about issues."
The co-CEOs encourage greater participation
and membership in the association, which they said

SNAXPO OFFICIAL SHOW ISSUE

will strengthen the snack and convenience foods
industries. "Personally, if you're not involved with
SNAC International, you're missing out on the tools
and guidance to understand the changes that are
coming out of DC involving regulations, compliance,
labeling and more," Chip Mann said.
Looking forward, Steve Huggins sees a bright
future for Pretzels, Inc., and its growing array of
customers. "We're specifically focused on the filled
products' segments, seasoned pretzels and the
organic and gluten-free arenas we're starting to
explore," he said. "We're looking to support entrepreneurs who want to create their own brands.
That's what we do, and we're happy to look for new
avenues of growth. We still think private label is a
great market for our company. Consumer acceptance continues to grow. We're in a great position
to expand."
That's what happens when a company perseveres through hard times, supports its people and
focuses on success.

Pretzels, Inc., opened a
new 45,000-sq-ft facility
in Plymouth, IN, where
it produces a variety of
pretzels.

(From left) Steve Huggins,
co-CEO, Pretzels, Inc.;
Elizabeth Avery, SNAC
International president
and CEO; and William
"Chip" Mann II, coCEO, Pretzels, Inc.,
get together at the
association's Executive
Leadership Forum
in Colorado.

2018 SNAC WORLD

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Snac World - February 2018