PET Food Processing - March 2021 - 6

OFF THE LEASH

Flow
problems
Processors are keenly aware of upstream and downstream issues affecting product flow. A common theme in many of the
topics covered in this issue highlight a common challenge -
and the importance of - ensuring there is a steady upstream
and downstream flow. But perhaps surprisingly, it's not ingredients or product or data that needs to flow consistently, it's
information and communication between humans.
Nothing emphasized this more or exposed the gaps more
clearly than COVID-19. However, a company's commitment
and dedication of resources to opening the channels of communications from the top down and the bottom up plays a
critical role not only during a pandemic, but in audit preparedness and crisis preparedness as well.
In this issue's article authored by Constance Cullman from
the American Feed Industry Association, she pointed out
some of the gaps companies encountered in their ability to
connect with their workforce when they couldn't all be gathered into one room for a discussion due to COVID-19. There
are gaps in broadband availability in rural areas that hinder
communication. Perhaps there are language barriers as well,
but regardless of the challenges the flow of communication
must be established.
Two-way communication is also important between suppliers and processors and between customers and processors. What needs to be communicated and how that flow of
information occurs is increasingly complicated, but it's also
increasingly important that it happens.
Another topic that clearly illustrates the need for seamless,
fluid, open, transparent and collaborative communication is
sustainability - it's hard to find a more complex topic with
more diverse understandings and implications.
Companies are expected to address and communicate their
approaches to sustainable ingredient
sourcing, sustainable packaging options and sustainable business models,
and these positions don't involve just
one or two steps upstream or downstream, they involve full circle, complex lifecycles.
Free flowing, consistent, open communications is how companies make progress against headwinds. How have you opened the flow of communications? I'd
love to learn more.
Jennifer Semple | Editor, jsemple@sosland.com

6

PET FOOD PROCESSING | March 2021 | www.petfoodprocessing.net

®

EDITORIAL
Editor	
Digital Associate Editor	
Contributing Editors:	
	
	
	
	
	

Jennifer Semple
Jordan Tyler
Donna Berry
Lynn Petrak
Jennifer Barnett Fox
Keith Loria
Richard Rowlands
Scott Wilson

PUBLISHING STAFF
Publisher	
Dave Crost
Publisher World Grain	
Dan Flavin
Publisher Food Business News,
  Milling & Baking News and Baking & Snack	 Mike Gude
Publisher Bake/Supermarket Perimeter	
Troy Ashby
Associate Publisher	
David DePaul
Associate Publisher	
Matt O'Shea
Associate Publisher	
Bruce Webster
National Sales Manager	
James Boddicker
Sales Executive	
Nico Roesler
Sales Executive	
Tom Huppe
Sales Manager - Classified Advertising	
Lily Alvarez
Director of Audience Development 	
Michael Barbee
Audience Development Analyst	
Dustin Pickman
Audience Development Coordinator	
Carlea Schuler
Audience Database Specialist	
Jonathan Hawley
Director of Digital Media	
Jon Hall
Digital Advertising Manager	
Carrie Fluegge
Advertising Manager	
Nora Wages
Advertising Coordinator	
Kayley Kerns
Design Services Manager	
Elisabeth Spillman
Production Specialist	
Marj Potts
Senior Design Consultant	
Becky White
Graphic Designer	
Brian Peterman
Promotions Manager	
Jim White
Promotions Media Designer	
Abby Chronister
Sales Coordinator	
Whitney Hartman
	

CORPORATE

Chairman and CEO	
President	
Chief Financial and
Administrative Officer	
Chief Operating Officer
and Executive Editor	
Chief Marketing Officer	

Charles S. Sosland
L. Joshua Sosland
Staci Greco
Meyer Sosland
Jim Saladin

Corporate Headquarters
4801 Main St., Suite 650, Kansas City, MO 64112
Phone: (816) 756-1000; Fax: (816) 756-0494
E-mail: PetFoodProcessing@sosland.com
Internet: www.petfoodprocessing.net
http://www.petfoodprocessing.net http://www.petfoodprocessing.net
PET Food Processing - March 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of PET Food Processing - March 2021
