Joseph Peters

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗗𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗜𝗻𝗰. 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲-𝗼𝗳-𝘁𝗵𝗲-𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁: California Dairies, Inc. (CDI), the largest dairy farmer-owned cooperative in the state, today celebrated the grand opening of its new, state-of-the-art manufacturing plant, Valley Natural Beverages (VNB) in Bakersfield, CA. The 200,000 square-foot greenfield facility represents a transformational investment by California Dairies, Inc. Inc member-owners, demonstrating their commitment to architecting their own destiny and meeting the growing demand for innovative fluid milk products in both the U.S. and international markets. The vertically integrated plant will begin processing an estimated 116,000 gallons of local milk dairy, showcasing the local nature of California’s dairy industry. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, alongside California Secretary of Agriculture Karen Ross, Kern County Supervisor David Couch, and local officials, community leaders, and company executives. “We are thrilled to officially open this cutting-edge facility,” said Brad Anderson, president and chief executive officer of CDI. “This investment underscores our commitment to innovation and sustainability. The new plant will allow us to increase production capacity, expand our product offerings, improve efficiency, and create next-generation jobs for the local community.” The state-of-the-art shelf-stable milk manufacturing facility features advanced robotics, energy-efficient technologies, and a commitment to environmental sustainability incorporating renewal energy sources and waste conservation. The plant will open with three processing lines to produce conventional extended shelf life (ESL) and ultra-high temperature (UHT) dairy beverages and products. VNB’s strategic growth plan includes multiple phases to expand to 10-12 processing and filling production lines in the future, tripling the facility’s current capacity. When all phases are completed, the facility will be 400,000 square-feet, processing up to 600,000 gallons per day of fresh local milk. #DairyUpdates #News #Manufacturing #CaliforniaDairies #DairyManufacturing #Expansion

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Turning waste into opportunity. 🌱 Dairy farms across California are leading the way in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by capturing methane and converting it into renewable natural gas (RNG). This approach not only lowers the carbon footprint of agricultural operations but also supports the transition to cleaner transportation fuels. The results speak for themselves – significant emission reductions, job creation, and a more sustainable future for family farms. California is the leading dairy-producing state in the U.S., accounting for nearly 20% of the nation’s milk production. The industry contributes approximately $20 billion to the state's economy and supports roughly 180,000 jobs, making it a critical part of both the agricultural sector and local economies. #wastetoenergy #CA #biogas #RNG #dairyfarmers #emissionsreduction https://lnkd.in/gcp5fnBc

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California’s approval of year-round E15 is opening a 600–800 million gallon ethanol market and creating new opportunities for corn farmers 🌽 Find out how this move could impact fuel markets and drive nationwide adoption! Read the full article on CZ's app: https://ow.ly/LQbj50X3FBR #CZ #CZapp #Ethanol #E15 #CornFarmers #FuelMarkets #RenewableEnergy #AgricultureNews

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Thanks to Joe Kennedy 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 and our WittKieffer insights team for this update on leadership changes in the animal health industry. The industry focus on internal development and mobility is to be applauded. But with 59% of known departures going to adjacent and other industries and internal promotions comprising the vast majority of new leaders (77% in Q4), the industry also needs to work on attracting new talent into Animal Health. 👉Read the full report to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eXfGkteA #LeadershipEvolution #SuccessionPlanning #HomegrownTalent #LifeSciences #WittKieffer

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This week, General Mills released earnings. The results were dismal. Net sales decreased 2 percent to $19.5 billion from the prior year, and organic net sales were also down 2 percent. Operating profit of $3.3 billion was also down 4 percent. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $4.10 were down 5 percent. Yet they are #17 on the Gartner Top 25. The CEO's answer is a very traditional approach. I have watched from the sidelines as the supply chain has become more functional within an increasingly functional organization at General Mills, where politics reigns. Many organizations, especially those in down markets such as food and beverages, will face similar consequences unless they make a conscious choice to be market-driven rather than marketing-driven. I welcome your thoughts.

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Sales-driven organizations often fail when support functions take over. Here's a breakdown of why this happens: Loss of Primary Mission: Sales teams are focused on acquiring revenue and growing the customer base, while support functions prioritize process, compliance, and efficiency. When support functions drive the business, the emphasis shifts away from market-facing activities toward internal operations, which can choke the sales engine. Lack of Sales Acumen: Support staff may not possess the market knowledge or customer empathy to make effective sales-related decisions, leading to strategies that are out of touch with customer needs and market dynamics. Bureaucracy and Rigidity: Support functions often introduce more processes, systems, and layers of approval, which can slow down decision-making and make the company less agile. Complexity and Burden: As support functions expand their activities beyond their core purpose, they create complex relationships and initiatives that can become burdensome for the entire organization, making it harder to achieve core business goals. Loss of Direct Customer Connection: When sales teams are burdened with day-to-day administrative tasks and are less empowered, they have less time and freedom to build deep, personalized relationships with clients. Focus on Internal Processes: An excessive focus on internal support processes can lead to a less flexible and responsive customer experience, as the organization prioritizes its own structures over customer needs. Resistance to Change: A culture that shifts to being support-driven can become more resistant to new ideas and quick pivots, as the focus moves from creating opportunities to managing existing systems and processes. Missed Opportunities: The innovation and responsiveness that characterize a strong sales-driven culture are diminished when the organization becomes overly reliant on administrative functions that are inherently slower and more rigid.

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Are you struggling to find the right "A Player" manufacturing sales rep for your team? You’re not alone. In today’s market, the best reps aren’t applying — they’re already winning somewhere else. That’s why hiring in the industrial world (automotive, rubber, manufacturing) requires more than just posting a job ad. It requires a process — one built around clarity, precision, and accountability. In my latest video, I break down the 5 key phases every company should follow when hiring top sales talent: 1️⃣ Target Setting – Define what success looks like before you hire. 2️⃣ Roadmapping – Build a clear search strategy. 3️⃣ Recruiting – Go beyond job boards and find the hidden talent. 4️⃣ Decision-Making – Use data and alignment to make the right hire. 5️⃣ Post-Placement – Support and retain your new team member. Whether you’re an entrepreneur hiring your first rep or part of a national sales team, this framework helps you avoid costly mis-hires and build a high-performing team built to last. 🎥 Watch the full breakdown here → https://lnkd.in/ebcwgxeF #HiringSalesRep #ManufacturingRecruitment #TalentTraction #RecruitingTips #SalesHiring #IndustrialJobs #TalentAcquisition #Leadership

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