US blueberry marketing cooperative MBG Marketing has announced in a press release the appointment of Robert E. Hawk as the firm’s new CEO and president, effective 1 August.
Hawk will lead the grower cooperative to expand its fresh blueberry distribution, establish new RTE (ready to eat) and IQF (instantly quick frozen) processing facilities and develop new value-added products, according to MBG.
“Bob’s experience in value-added new product development and plant operations are an excellent fit for our recently completed strategic plan,” said Pat Goin, chairwoman of the MBG Board of Directors.
“Customer and consumer awareness of the health benefits and the great flavor attributes of blueberries continue to spur high demand for fresh and processed blueberries.
“Bob has a broad range of experiences which will help him manage and lead our grower cooperative as we continue to identify and meet the needs and opportunities in this expanding category.”
During his 35 years of professional experience Hawk has worked in a variety of production and senior management positions at leading consumer products companies including; Weaver Popcorn Company, Crossmark, Northland Cranberries, and Regal Ware.
“I am very excited about MBG’s solid base that has been built since 1936 and the foresight to invest in new innovations and expanded capabilities,” stated Hawk.
Hawk said MBG will continue to focus on growing and delivering a high level of quality products and services that lead to solid customer relationships, loyal consumers and long-term grower profitability.
“I am also very impressed with the Naturipe organization and the collaborative nature of the four partner organizations,” Hawk added.
“This grower-owned, global sales and marketing organization which is focused on fresh and processed berries, is truly unique and clearly has been a point of differentiation” he said.
Goin revealed that Hawk and the MBG management team will implement “several exciting projects” in 2013, including a new value-added facility in South Haven, Michigan, which will consist of a state of the art, IQF berry processing plant.
“We will also introduce several new proprietary blueberry varieties that have been developed by our in-house plant breeders that have incredible flavor, size and improved vigor for better shelf life,” Goin added.
“As a growers cooperative we also focus on attracting additional high quality growers into the organization so that we can provide a consistent supply of delicious berries to our clients”.
Hawk hits the ground running on 1 August as the record 2012 MBG blueberry season enters the last few months ahead of preparations for double-digit growth in 2013.
MBG Marketing grows mainly blueberries in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Georgia, Florida, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia.
In conjunction with its partners at Naturipe Farms, MBG claims to be the largest marketer of fresh and processed blueberries in the world.
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