Sam Gazdziak

Typically, the Top 100 serves as a good indicator of how the industry has performed, and what the expectations were for the coming year. If the industry is going through strong periods, we will see record sales, acquisitions, expansions and other initiatives.

Meat products have become increasingly complicated as the desires of consumers continue to grow and change. At one point — not too long ago — it was newsworthy when a company included the word “natural” on their label to describe their steak, chicken breast or hot dog. 

When innovations enter into a given business, the companies that are the earliest adopters tend to gain an advantage over their competitors. Sometimes though, there is an advantage is maintaining those old traditions.