Baking & Snack - May 2008 - 27

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BAKING & SNACK / May 2008

Charlotte Summit
With research and development for
Lance, Inc.'s branded products now
centralized at Charlotte, NC, the functions of quality control, quality assurance, food safety and consumer affairs
are being united. A network of knowledge has been established with staff
performing these functions at other
Lance locations, now to the benefit of
all. "Our QC managers in the various
business units often had dual roles
involving R&D," explained Phil Brooks,
director of technical services, Lance,
Inc., Charlotte. "Many developed special expertise in given areas."
These experts gathered at Charlotte on April 16 for a special R&D/
QA summit, the first of its kind in
company history. The face-to-face
meeting examined procedures and
processes that comprise the innovation team's stage-gate method for
new product development. It looked
at the new ideas and products now
in the pipeline at various stages, and
after 1½ years of the 1Lance innovation team program, there was plenty
to sift through.
Although these same individuals
conduct weekly conference calls, the
Charlotte meeting helped strengthen
the group's internal dynamics. The
intent was to bring together the
individuals from various locations and

forge them into one team. "The faceto-face should be especially valuable,"
Mr. Brooks said a week beforehand.
"People can often be reserved on
conference calls, but when you're
together in person, you learn a lot
more about each other and what you
each can do," noted Kurt Christensen,
manager of R&D, Charlotte.
As is typical for baking companies,
Lance's R&D staffers have crossfunctional responsibilities in QA and
QC. "There are about 10 individuals
among the Lance locations who do
R&D," Mr. Christensen said. "Some work
together in twos or threes, but others
are alone. Many synergies become
possible when you can visit, share
information and make friends."

ᮢ R&D and quality managers from throughout Lance
met at Charlotte, NC, on April 16 to review and move
forward with innovation program goals. They are
(from left, back) David Whitman, director of quality
and quality services, Charlotte; Phil Brooks, director of
technical services, Charlotte; Ron Pepperdine, quality
manager, Charlotte; Bob McDowell, analytical and inspection services, Charlotte; (from left, front) Deborah
Anderson, R&D, Charlotte; Kurt Christensen, manager
of R&D, Charlotte; (in sunglasses) Ron Blaschke, quality manager, Columbus, GA; Andrea Andrason, R&D,
Charlotte; Amie Guy, director of innovation, Charlotte;
Kevin Rackham, quality manager, Burlington, IA; and
(in sunglasses) Christine Schieckoff, quality assurance
manager, Cambridge, ON.
©2008 JON SILLA PHOTOGRAPHY

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Baking & Snack - May 2008

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