Specialty cuts, beef aging and timesaving items abound in restaurants and grocery stores today, and both chefs and retailers rely on beef fabricators and processors to deliver fine-quality, fresh cuts to elevate their offerings. Their creations start with fresh and value-added items from suppliers that meet exacting standards and satisfy growing consumer demand for great-tasting beef across restaurant segments and grocery aisles. The Certified Angus Beef brand recently honored fabricators and processors for their beef leadership during the brand’s Annual Conference, held Sept. 23-25, in Asheville, N.C. Meat processor, distributor, chef, retailer and cattle rancher partners gathered to explore merchandising and marketing solutions for delivering the branded beef to consumers worldwide.

“Quality unites our community of people, where each of us, from farm to table, plays an important role in delivering this brand to the dinner tables of consumers worldwide,” says John F. Stika, the brand’s president. “Ten specifications are the foundations of this brand’s quality, but it’s the leadership, dedication and expertise of our partners that ultimately guide customer success each step of the way to ensure customer satisfaction with classic and on-trend meal solutions.”

Tyson Fresh Meats, Dakota Dunes, S.D., was recognized as the Packer Marketer of the Year. The company achieved the highest overall increase in the branded beef’s sales among participating fabricators, and excelled at producing Certified Angus Beef brand Natural. Additionally, three Tyson locations received Million Head Certified awards for cumulative number of carcasses certified for the brand since their first days as participating fabricators: Dakota City for 5 million certified, with Lexington, Neb., at 4 million certified and the 25-year partner located in Amarillo, Texas, at 2 million certified.

National Beef Packing, Kansas City, Mo., received both the Golden Box and Fabricator Proficiency awards. The Golden Box award recognized National Beef for achieving precise product specifications in workmanship, attention to detail at plant level, packaging and product performance to ensure the best possible experience for distributors, chefs, grocers and ultimately, consumers. In addition, National Beef received the Fabricator Proficiency Award, for merchandising the most beef from each carcass meeting the brand’s high standards. Celebrating 35 years of leadership with the brand, National Beef in Dodge City, Kan., was named the Top Sales Volume Fabricator and received a 5 Million Head Certified award for cumulative number of carcasses certified for the brand since it began as a participating fabricator.

Cargill Protein, Wichita, Kan., accepted the International Packer Marketer of the Year and Top Sales Volume International Packer awards. For the marketing award, Cargill worked closely with retail and foodservice customers in Canada and Mexico to ensure their success with top-quality beef. A training with customers at the Certified Angus Beef Culinary Center guided grocer success while Cargill supported foodservice distributors at food shows. Additionally, two Cargill locations were recognized with Million Head Certified awards for cumulative number of carcasses certified for the brand since their first days as participating fabricators. Cargill in Schuyler, Neb., achieved the 5 million level at the fastest rate of growth, and Cargill in Dodge City, Kan., reached the 3 million level.

JBS USA, Greeley, Colo., and Nebraska Beef, Omaha, Neb., also received Million Head Certified awards for cumulative number of carcasses certified for the brand, with JBS at 4 million and Nebraska Beef at 1 million.

Golden West Food Group, Vernon, Calif., was named the Processor of the Year. The company has been starting with Certified Angus Beef brand fresh cuts to craft unique beef items since 2012. The branded products include beef roasts for deli rotisseries, Certified Angus Beef brand Wahlburgers at Home for groceries, heat-and-serve entrées, marinated steaks, frankfurters, burgers and steak chili, all made with minimal ingredients that simply highlight the beef’s true flavor: a factor that also helped the team to earn the No. 2 Sales Volume Processor award. The company also works closely with the brand’s staff to develop and launch new items.

John Soules Foods, Tyler, Texas, was named the Top Sales Volume Processor, and Wolverine Packing Company, Detroit, Mich., the Top Sales Volume Ground Beef Processor.

Schmaltz Retail Products, Wheaton, Ill., received the International Processor Marketer of the Year award. The maker of Certified Angus Beef brand Schmacon, Schmaltz helped customers display the all-beef bacon with bilingual point-of-sale materials. The company featured the beefy bacon and launched new bacon bits at the Gulfood show, and Howard Bender, CEO and Culinary Institute of America graduate, joined the brand for a four-country culinary tour.

Quirch Foods LLC, Miami, received both the Export Marketer of the Year and Top Sales Volume Exporter awards. With offices in 17 countries, Quirch Foods works directly with customers to supply their individual beef needs. Team members participate in educational programs at the Certified Angus Beef Culinary Center to expand their knowledge base for customer success. The branded beef is also featured at Quirch Foods’ two buyer shows.

Source: Certified Angus Beef