Bell Brazil Announces Leadership Promotions
Bell Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. Brazil announced a series of strategic leadership promotions aimed at spearheading innovation and fostering continued growth. These key changes reflect the company’s commitment to strengthening its core capabilities and reinforcing its position as a global leader in providing cutting-edge flavor and fragrance solutions.
“I am excited for the next stage of growth by our newly promoted Bell Brazil management team,” said Ron Stark, president & CEO. “Led by Marco, these veteran leaders have laid a strong foundation since Bell’s entry into Brazil. Bell Brazil is now perfectly positioned to accelerate their employee engagement, customer experience, and market growth.”
Marco Conte has been promoted to Bell Brazil’s General Manager. In his new role, Conte will be responsible for spearheading commercial and R&D initiatives, ensuring a strong alignment with operational capabilities and fostering sustainable growth and innovation across the organization.
Conte earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Campinas and a Master of Business Administration degree in business strategy from Getulio Vargas Institute.
Stepping into his new role, Conte is eager to inspire the Bell Brazil team to live by words of wisdom he’s carried with him throughout his career:
• Listen proactively – always.
• Break boundaries with creative solutions that deliver impact.
• Chase your dreams with steady steps, fierce belief and unshakable persistence
André Silva has been promoted to R&D Technical Manager. In his new role, André will lead the R&D team, driving cross-functional collaboration, supporting key commercial initiatives and aligning goals with the National Sales Manager.
Silva earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering.
Igor Florido has been promoted to National Sales Manager. In his new role, Igor will be responsible for fostering sales growth, aligning pipeline strategies and improving success rates across the organization.
Florido possesses strong leadership skills and earned his bachelor’s degrees in both chemistry and marketing.
Giulia Gagliardi Stramandinole has been promoted to Junior Sales Account Manager. In her new role, Giulia will oversee key accounts and collaborate closely with the Bell Brazil Commercial team to drive pipeline growth and support long-term sales objectives.
Stramandinole has proven expertise in quality assurance and customer service and earned her bachelor’s degree in food engineering at São Paulo University.
These leadership advancements reflect Bell Brazil’s dedication to pushing boundaries, deepening customer connections, and championing creative innovation across its operations. With their forwardthinking leadership and deep industry insights, the team is set to fuel dynamic growth and reimagine the future of taste and fragrance experiences.
For more on Bell Flavors & Fragrances, visit www.bellff.com or follow Bell Flavors & Fragrances on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook.
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Singer Equipment Acquires Joseph Flihan Co.
Fred Singer, president and CEO of Singer Equipment, announced the acquisition of the business of Joseph Flihan Company, one of the leading foodservice equipment dealers in New York State. Headquartered in Utica, Joseph Flihan Company has served the New York State market for over 50 years. The new division will operate under the name Singer Flihan.
Joe Flihan, president of Joseph Flihan Company, said, “Over two generations, our family, along with our dedicated team, have served leading foodservice customers and contractors in New York State. I am excited for our team to be joining Singer. As part of Singer, we will be able to continue our growth and bring benefits and opportunities to our customers and employees alike. Singer shares our values of excellence, professionalism, service to our customers and care for our employees.” Joe will be joining Singer Flihan as President of the new division.
Fred Singer says, “I am thrilled to support our newest division, Singer Flihan, in its growth plans. Joe and his team are recognized leaders in their market with broad respect from vendors and customers, and a reputation for integrity and excellence. Together we will bring new opportunities to our customers and co-workers alike. With this acquisition, Singer is a more complete solution to customers and vendors in New York State with offices in Buffalo, Syracuse, Utica, New York City and Melville, Long Island.”
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Cal-Maine Foods to Acquire Echo Lake Foods
Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Echo Lake Foods, Inc.
Cal-Maine signed a definitive agreement to acquire Echo Lake Foods for approximately $258 million, excluding expected tax assets resulting from the transaction, to be funded with available cash on hand.
Echo Lake Foods was founded in 1941 and acquired by the Meinerz family in 1981. Based in Burlington, Wis., The company produces, packages, markets and distributes ready-to-eat egg products and breakfast foods, including waffles, pancakes, scrambled eggs, frozen cooked omelets, egg patties, toast and diced eggs. It had annual revenues of approximately $240 million in 2024 with a five-year CAGR of approximately 10%. The transaction has been approved by both companies’ boards of directors and is expected to close by the end of fiscal 2025 following completion of regulatory approvals and subject to customary closing conditions. The transaction is not subject to shareholder approval.
Compelling Strategic Rationale
- Allows Cal-Maine Foods to enter the large, growing and highly stable value-added food portion of the egg category
- Expands strategic customer relationships with retail, quick service restaurant and other foodservice customers
- Leverages Cal-Maine Foods’ extensive sales and supply chain distribution capabilities
- Echo Lake Foods will operate as a stand-alone component of Cal-Maine Foods’ integrated operations with its four production facilities strategically located across the Midwest
- Kathy Brodhagen, current chief executive officer of Echo Lake Foods, to join Cal-Maine Foods’ senior management team as President of Echo Lake Foods
Commenting on the proposed transaction with Echo Lake Foods, Sherman Miller, president and chief executive officer of Cal-Maine Foods, stated, “This transaction represents an exciting growth opportunity and important inflection point for Cal-Maine Foods, advancing our strategy to expand and diversify our product portfolio and customer mix. Echo Lake Foods is a leading innovator with a long history of providing quality ready-to-eat egg products and breakfast foods to a blue-chip customer base. The combined product lines and capabilities of the two companies are highly complementary and, importantly, we share similar values of pursuing operating excellence and meeting the needs of our customers. We believe the potential acquisition of Echo Lake Foods meets our disciplined set of investment criteria, including relevant geographic markets, operating synergies, product mix, proximity to customers and expected financial returns.
“The addition of Echo Lake Foods will supplement our other ready-to-eat egg product offerings, including hard-cooked eggs for retail, quick service restaurant and other foodservice needs from our expanded MeadowCreek Foods operation, and ready-to-eat egg products including egg wraps, protein pancakes, crepes, and wrap-ups from our joint venture with Crepini Foods LLC. Importantly, diversifying our product portfolio offers a strong, high-return potential that complements our existing organic growth opportunities. The Echo Lake Foods team has built a terrific business, and we look forward to working together on a successful integration and delivering on a unique opportunity for our customers and shareholders,” added Miller.
Brodhagen added, “We are excited to have the opportunity for Echo Lake Foods to join Cal-Maine Foods and continue to expand our market reach for quality ready-to-eat egg products and breakfast foods. This business combination will benefit everyone associated with Echo Lake Foods, especially our dedicated employees and valued customers. As the leading producer and distributor of fresh shell eggs in the nation, Cal-Maine Foods has an excellent reputation with a proven record of success. We are extremely proud to join their team, and we look forward to the significant growth opportunities ahead of us.”
Goldman Sachs & Co LLC is serving as Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.’s exclusive financial advisor while Sidley Austin LLP and Jones Walker LLP are serving as its legal advisors.
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