Snack World - November 2015 - (Page 18)

Putting People First BY SARAH HUBBART AND KERRY LYNCH C elebrating its 70th anniversary this spring, Ed Herr, president and CEO of Herr Foods Inc., called the company the most "family" snack food business in the world. His father, James S. Herr, founded the company in 1946, with a loan of $1,750 by selling potato chips door-to-door in Lancaster, PA. Today, this multi-generational, family-operated snack food company serves a strong presence in the mid-Atlantic region with distribution in every state. With a wide variety of potato chip flavors from BBQ to Old Bay Seasoning, Herr's continues to give customers plenty of options, including new and reintroduced snacks from their kettle and pretzel lines coming in 2016. Herr's is dedicated to continuous improvement and takes a keen interest in innovation, new products and new flavors. While many changes have occurred over the past 70 years, the Herr's commitment to provide quality and consistency in every bag remains. Herr's knows its customers look forward to snacking on products that are made to perfection. "Consumers always want to open a perfect bag every time. There is a fine line between a perfectly made potato chip and one that's just okay," Mr. Herr said. As with other family businesses, Herr's has faced challenges over the years. In 1951, the business suffered a large fire that destroyed the entire production plant. This caused the company to rebuild in Nottingham, PA. The family experienced first-hand the great comradery in the industry; local companies helped 18 Snack World November 2015 www.sfa.org produce chips while the company was in transition. This "family-like" mentality is still alive and well in the snack industry today. Over the years, Mr. Herr has attended many Snack Food Association (SFA) meetings and continued to observe the steady growth and the high increase of demand in the industry. "We are in the business of 'snackertainment.' Our consumers are busy - even anxious - about life, and they deserve and look forward to a reward, a 'Herr's' reward," Mr. Herr said. The consolidation among snack manufacturers and retailers has become the new norm, and the trend continues today. Herr's is proud to remain a family business, with the next generation of family members soon ready to step into management roles. The company culture is collaborative - "one team, one goal" - and its leaders remain focused on attracting and keeping the right people. "Putting employees first and treating customers like kings goes a long way," Mr. Herr said. "Our mission is to grow profitable sales with the best service and the best quality. To do this, you must have the best people." Herr's not only provides "snack-ertainment" for consumers but also offers snack factory tours of its facilities. The Herr's Factory tour was recently named USA Today's "#1 Food Factory Tour of America." Visitors see firsthand the full process of how a potato chip is created and how a tortilla chip gets its seasoning. At the end, guests can taste fresh products right off the line. Herr's attracts more than 110,000 visitors each year. Herr's also encourages local community events that http://www.sfa.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Snack World - November 2015

Snack World - November 2015
Table of Contents
Letter from SFA - Engaged and Energized
Government Affairs - Legislative Outlook
Emerging Leaders - Emerging Leaders Program a Success
ELF Recap - ELF Builds Momentum
Business Member Profile - Putting People First
Associate Member Profile - Ideas and Solutions
SNAXPO Preview - Saddle Up for Success
Products & Services
Ad Index

Snack World - November 2015