Meat&Poultry - July 2013 - 8

Commentary
ByJoel Crews

jcrews@sosland.com

From Frankfurt to Iowa
O

n the heels of Meat&Poultry’s

Polybagged with this issue is a

Annual Barbecue issue in June,

supplement recapping IFFA, includ-

Giving me the opportunity to tour

which focuses on an industry segment

ing booth reviews of some of the key

the plant with him, it was easy to see

I have an unhealthy obsession with,

suppliers at the show, as well as pho-

the pride he took in this plant and the

readers of this issue are recipients of

tos capturing some of the sights from

people in his company that supported

two other reports that have become

Germany and reflections from the

him in making it “the best ham plant

anxiously anticipated by faithful read-

show organizers. We hope this gives

in the world.”

ers of M&P. One of them is the prod-

US processors who weren’t able to at-

uct of a trip to Frankfurt, Germany

tend IFFA a taste of what makes this

in early May, where our publishing

event an unforgettable experience.

team spent six days scouring the ex-

Also in the spring, I was honored

pansive show floors at IFFA, the trien-

to spend a couple of days in Council

nial trade show that brings the world’s

Bluffs, Iowa, with an unassuming in-

meat processors and suppliers to one

dustry icon who’s spent a career flying

massive venue.

below the radar while raising the bar
for Plumrose USA as an operations-focused mastermind. As Meat&Poultry’s

relationships in the industry.

Exhibitors and
attendees at the
2013 IFFA were
witness to a
collective resurgence
in the meat and
poultry processing
industry.

2013 Operations Executive of the Year,

In the processing area, activity is

Plumrose USA’s Freddy Mortensen has

precise and largely automated. People

learned that world-class meat process-

who do work in the processing area

ing plants don’t materialize magically

light up when they see Freddy com-

or by accident.

ing, most of whom he knows by name

This was certainly the case with the
company’s new plant in Council Bluffs,
Mortensen’s most recent brainchild.

and shared a quick greeting during
our tour.
He points out the absence of fork-

It was a privilege to listen to

lifts and hand-trucks zipping across

Mortensen discuss his introduction

the processing floor, honking warn-

to the industry, which included grow-

ings around each corner, as is the case

ing up in Denmark, where he dropped

in many plants. Instead, most prod-

Having been to three IFFA events

out of school at the age of 14 to work in

ucts are pumped from one area of the

previously, the fourth sojourn was, by

the meat business, and how he went on

plant to the next, eliminating another

far, the most memorable. Especially

to become one of the most respected

laborious step. The entire operation

when contrasted with 2010, when the

operations and strategically minded

reflects Mortensen’s deliberate, mea-

economy was in the midst of a global

veterans in the industry.

sured approach and his genuine, what-

Operations Executive of the Year: Freddy Mortensen

you-see-is-what-you-get demeanor.

hiccup, exhibitors and attendees at

He attributes much of the success

the 2013 event were witness to an ac-

and the longevity of his career to luck.

I consider it a career highlight

knowledged resurgence in the meat

However, after hearing from his co-

to have got ten to k now Freddy

and poultry processing industry.

workers, his boss and many people in

Mortensen and, just months before

The optimism and overall buzz

the supplier community heap praise

he begins transitioning into retire-

at IFFA 2013 was undeniable and

about his commitment and approach

ment, present him with an award he

substantiated by the processors and

to his craft, it’s obvious that his legacy

richly deserves.

scores of exhibitors we visited dur-

is rooted in hard work, exceeding ex-

ing the “fair”.

8

• Meat&Poultry • July 2013 • www.MeatPoultry.com

pectations and an ability to build key

Congratulations, Freddy, on a career worthy of a crown. ■
http://www.MeatPoultry.com
Meat&Poultry - July 2013

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