Birko, a leading provider of food safety solutions to the meat, produce and beverage industries, today announced the upcoming retirement of Mike Gangel, President of Chad Equipment, LLC.

Gangel, who has been owner and President of the company since 1986, will be retiring July 31. Under his leadership, Chad Company was acquired by Birko in 2011 and became Chad Equipment, Birko’s equipment division.

Gangel is widely recognized for his forward thinking and practical innovations for beef and pork harvesting and processing. He invented the patented Chad hot water pasteurization system, the single most effective intervention step on the harvest floor. Gangel pioneered the development of lactic acid mixing stations, which help to more precisely batch food safety chemicals for specific applications while eliminating chemical waste due to over mixing. And he continues to develop innovative equipment for the industry; the company recently introduced the patent-pending WaterSmart system, which reduces water usage in its carcass, head and tripe wash cabinets.

At Chad Company, and later as president of Chad Equipment, Gangel’s vision established key standards for carcass cleaning. Today, Chad cabinets are recognized around the world for their efficiency and water savings. Said Mark Swanson, Birko’s CEO, “Mike’s contributions to the industry are exceptional and it has been a true pleasure to work with an industry icon such as Mike. We are fortunate that he will continue to consult with the company following his retirement.”

Throughout his career, Gangel has been very active in the industry. He was a member of the North American Meat Association (NAMA) board for several years and was chairman of the Associate Advisory Committee for more than 10 years. He also served on the North American Meat Processors (NAMP) Board before NAMP merged with NAMA. He was a member of the National Meat Association, the Southwest Meat Association, the American Meat Institute and North American Meat Institute. The company was a member of the International HAACP Alliance and BIFSCO since its inception.

Following Gangel’s retirement, Chad will be led by Bob Ogren, Vice President of Birko’s Equipment Division. Ogren has worked extensively with Gangel the last three years and said, “It’s impossible to convey in a short paragraph our full appreciation for Mike’s direction and the leadership he has provided through the years. He will be greatly missed.”

For more information, visit www.birkocorp.com.