Associated Food Stores, McLane Global Join Topco Associates LLC

Topco Associates LLC announced today that Associated Food Stores, Inc. and McLane Global have joined the association, expanding its membership to 53 retail, wholesale and foodservice companies. “We’re excited that Associated Food Stores and McLane Global are now Topco members,” said Randy Skoda, Topco President and CEO. “They are both outstanding organizations whose joining further enhances the collective strength of Topco and the membership. We look forward to working with them to help drive value for their companies and customers.” Associated Food Stores will participate in Topco’s Pharmacy program, which now has 23 committed members representing more than $3.2 billion in sales volume. Independent retailer-owned Associated Food Stores is a warehouse based in Salt Lake City that provides complete warehouse facilities and services to nearly 500 grocers in eight western states. “In the grocery business, volume speaks,” said Neal Berube, President and CEO of Associated Food Stores. “By joining with the other Topco Pharmacy members, we are confident our member- and corporate-owned in-store pharmacies along with our other partners will experience a significant decrease in their cost of goods. We looked at many opportunities to partner and consciously made the decision that Topco would be our best pharmacy partner." Houston-based McLane Global will take part in Topco’s Frozen, Dairy/Bakery, HBC/GM and Not-for-Resale programs. McLane, which is an international trading group and global sourcing and logistics company, plans to develop its Lady Liberty food brand as well as its not-for-resale products and services through Topco. “Our Lady Liberty brand in the international market is competing with other well-known U.S. brands,” said Mike Julian, Chairman and CEO of McLane Global. “There is no escaping our U.S. heritage for quality and value, and being a member of Topco will help us live up to the market’s expectations.” (3/9/12)

Randall J. Skoda Named President, CEO of Topco Associates LLC

The Board of Directors of Topco Associates LLC announced today that it unanimously approved the appointment of Randall J. “Randy” Skoda as the company’s President and CEO. Skoda, 49, has served as Interim President and CEO since December of last year. “Speaking on behalf of the board, we are excited about the leadership and experience Randy brings to his new role,” said Steve Smith, Topco’s Chairman and K-VA-T Food Stores, Inc. President and CEO. “Given the economic realities facing consumers and the grocery industry, the strategic importance of Topco to its food-industry member-owners has never been greater. Randy’s extensive knowledge of Topco and the grocery industry will help drive more value for each of Topco’s 51 members as well as take this great organization to the next level.” Skoda has been a key member of Topco’s management team for more than 10 years, holding a number of roles with increasing responsibility. Prior to being named the Interim President and CEO in December, Skoda served as Executive Vice President for more than four years. In that role, he oversaw Topco’s program management, product and brand development, innovation and not-for-resale groups. Skoda has also served as a member on the NuVal LLC Board of Directors since the company’s inception in 2008. (2/17/12)

Steven Lauer Retires After 19 Years; Randall Skoda Appointed Interim President and CEO

Topco Associates LLC announced today the retirement of Steven K. Lauer as the company’s President and CEO. Lauer retired after 19 years of distinguished service to the cooperative. Lauer joined Topco in 1993 as Chief Financial Officer and was promoted to President and CEO in 1999. Under Lauer’s leadership, Topco’s membership has grown to 51 retail, wholesale and foodservice member-owners that collectively represent more than $125 billion in sales. In the most recently completed year, Topco’s member-owners purchased over $11.3 billion in goods and services through Topco’s 10 programs. "Topco has grown significantly and developed into a leader in the private label industry because of Steve’s leadership," said Steve Smith, Topco's Chairman and K-VA-T Food Stores, Inc. President and CEO. "I would like to thank Steve for his many years of service to Topco and Topco's member-owners.” Randall J. “Randy” Skoda, 49, will serve as Topco's Interim President and CEO. Skoda has been with Topco for more than 10 years in a number of management roles with increasing responsibility. Since 2007, Skoda has served as Executive Vice President, overseeing Topco's program management, product and brand development, innovation and not-for-resale groups. Additionally, Skoda has served as a Director on the NuVal LLC Board of Directors since the company's inception in 2008. (12/23/11)

Topco wins 2011 PLMA Salute to Excellence awards

The Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) this week announced that Topco products won Salute to Excellence awards in three categories. Topco's winning entries include Food Club Light Fruit & Veg Blenders Strawberry Banana -- 46-oz. bottles of a delicious blend of nutritious vegetables and the sweet taste of refreshing fruit juice -- in the Vegetarian category; Top Care Kids Crayon Bandages -- brightly colored crayon-shaped latex-free bandages in attractively designed boxes with kid-friendly graphics -- in the Baby category; and World Classics Trading Company Jasmine Asian Rice -- attractive 2-pound stand-up pouches of aromatic jasmine rice -- in the Side Dish category. Each year, the PLMA honors companies for innovation and creativity in the development of store brand products. This year's panel of judges evaluated more than 400 products, judging each entry on its appearance, taste or performance, packaging and presentation and value. All winning entries will be on display between November 13 and 15 at the PLMA's 2011 Private Label Trade Show in Rosemont, Ill. (10/19/11)

Paul Randle named new Vice President-Account Management

Topco announced this week that Paul Randle has been promoted to Vice President-Account Management, reporting to President and CEO Steve Lauer. During the past five years, Randle has been part of TopSource, Topco's not-for-resale division in Boston, and most recently served as Director-Program Management. In his new role, Randle will be responsible for managing the overall relationships with many of Topco's member-owners, including growing their participation, improving communications and service, and building strong working relationships with key personnel. Randle holds both an M.B.A. and bachelor's degree in business administration from California Coast University in Santa Ana, California. (9/15/11)

Full Circle Grass-Fed Beef debuts at member retail stores

Topco's new Full Circle Grass-Fed Beef program is arriving at member stores this month following the initial June production run. Early commitments from several Topco Fresh Meat program members were crucial in making the fresh, case-ready, grass-fed beef program a reality. This all-natural program features the popular 85 / 15 lean ground beef as well as six top-selling steak and roast items, including 12-oz. Ribeye and Top Sirloin items, to create a strong Full Circle presence in the retail case. The key to providing a great-eating experience along with a free-range, sustainable, all-natural beef option that customers are demanding is the source: Australia. Topco has partnered with Australian producers to procure beef from an area of the continent that has temperate weather and plenty of grass year round, resulting in superior grass-fed beef. Consumers will appreciate the consistent taste and tenderness of Full Circle's grass-fed beef and its added health benefits, such as lower total fat and calorie counts compared to traditional beef. (7/14/11)

Topco's QA team closely monitors state, federal mandates

The California Legislature recently approved a new law that requires retailers and manufacturers in the state to disclose the steps they are taking to eradicate slavery and human trafficking from the supply and distribution chains for the products they sell. As such, Topco will assist its California-based member-owners with complying with the law and making appropriate disclosures to the state of California. Topco has also contacted all of its supplier partners and asked them to certify that the materials used in their products comply with all state and federal laws regarding slavery and human trafficking. This is just one example of how Topco's Quality Assurance team continually monitors federal and state legislation and regulation and assists members with compliance issues. (7/14/11)

Members saluted for top-notch private-label marketing campaigns

About 1,100 representatives from nearly 50 members companies and more than 165 vendors took part in Topco Associates’ annual Super Show last week in Schaumburg, Ill. During this major private-label industry event that focuses on center store sales and merchandising, Topco awarded a number of Corporate Brand Marketing Excellence awards in recognition of their member companies’ outstanding efforts to promote and market Topco brands in 2010.

• Member Brands: Schnuck Markets, Inc. -- Schnucks elevated its efforts in 2010 to engage consumers with Schnucks Select, highlighting the store brand internally with a corporate luncheon and then building excitement externally with a brand brochure, point-of-sale materials and print ads.

• Food Club: Coborn's Incorporated -- From Truckload Buys to Meal Deal Events to Compare and Save campaigns, Coborn's included Food Club in all its key marketing events in 2010 and saw year-over-year brand sales grow 12 percent.

• Shurfine: Affiliated Foods Midwest -- To promote the launch of the new Shurfine soda program, Affiliated Foods Midwest created excitement with impressive point-of sale materials, including innovative in-aisle displays, and an aggressive ad program.

• PAWS: Spartan Stores, Inc. -- Spartan made PAWS its complete pet-care solution in 2010 and, to help introduce the brand to consumers, it developed special print ads, in-store bag stuffers, and website communications. To ensure maximum brand exposure, Spartan branded its pet aisle as PAWS, and Spartan saw its private brand pet business grow 12 percent.

• Full Circle: United Supermarkets, L.L.C. -- United successfully engaged customers in the all-natural and organic brand while also giving back to communities with its "Complete the Circle" campaign. For Every Full Circle product purchased, United donated an equal amount of food to local food banks up to 200,000 pounds. United highlighted the campaign with in-store point-of-sale materials, its Market Street magazine, print ads, social media and its web site.

• Top Care: Weis Markets, Inc. -- Weis' Mix or Match marketing event highlighted the variety, depth and quality of the Top Care brand. Consumers could buy one item and receive one of equal or lesser value for free. Weis used print ads, social media, and in-store marketing messages to ensure consumers were fully aware of the no-limits promotion.

• Economy Brands: Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. -- Last year, Winn-Dixie converted to the Valu Time brand and created the tagline "Great Value. Great Savings. Everyday low price." Winn-Dixie developed an impressive ad campaign that highlighted Valu Time's everyday savings message. (5/13/11)

Topco names new Vice President, National Brands

James (Jim) Goers has joined Topco as Vice President, National Brands. In this role, Goers will have overall responsibility for Topco's National Brands program and will report to Randy Skoda, Executive Vice President. "Jim brings a tremendous amount of experience and energy to his new position," Skoda said. "We look forward to leveraging his extensive industry knowledge and relationships to work with our manufacturer partners and Topco's member / owners to drive value and significantly increase the scope and breadth of Topco's National Brands program." Most recently, Goers was with Hostess Brands, Inc. where he served as Senior Vice President and Business Unit General Manager - Northwest. At Hostess, he was responsible for developing and leading the company's bread and snack cake business across 10 western states. Prior to Hostess, Goers spent more than 10 years at Kraft Foods, Inc. where he held a number of increasingly responsible positions, including Senior Director of Customer Logistics and Regional Vice President - Denver. He began his career at Frito-Lay, Inc., where he spent more than 10 years in various sales and marketing positions, including Zone Sales Leader in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and as a National Account Manager in Dallas, Texas. (3/24/11)

Topco makes significant progress toward GFSI compliance with suppliers

Providing high quality, safe products to consumers has always been one of Topco's highest priorities. Central to this priority is Topco's expectation that all food and beverage suppliers achieve certification to one of the Global Food Safety Initiative's (GFSI) benchmarked systems, such as SQF (Safe Quality Foods) or BRC (British Retail Consortium). Currently, over 70 percent of Topco's suppliers, which represent more than 85 percent of Topco's annual food and beverage purchases, are in certification compliance. Topco's target remains 100 percent compliance with GFSI by June 2012. In the interest of achieving this goal as soon as possible, Topco has partnered with Silliker, Inc., a major GFSI certification body, to provide non-certified suppliers the tools they need to achieve certification. Suppliers not certified by the June deadline will be delisted. (2/10/11)

Mike Nugent named NuVal's General Manager

NuVal recently announced that Mike Nugent has been appointed the company's General Manager with responsibility for all aspects of the company. Prior to becoming General Manager, Nugent was in charge of NuVal's scoring operations, helping build the system and infrastructure that has delivered more than 90,000 nutrition scores, while also assisting the company with developing customer and manufacturer relationships. Before joining NuVal, Nugent was Vice President-Center Store Program Management at Topco and was responsible for the Shurfine brand. NuVal, which ranks all food based on its nutritional content using a 1-to-100 scale, is a joint venture between Topco and Yale University-affiliated Griffin Hospital. (1/7/11)