Schwan’s Creates Private-Label and Contract-Packing UnitSchwan’s Creates Private-Label and Contract-Packing Unit

Privately-owned food manufacturer and marketer The Schwan’s Company launched a new business unit, Schwan’s Strategic Partner Solutions, aimed at growing its private-label and contract-packing businesses by working with select retailers and food firms, the Marshall, MN company announced Wednesday.

“We know that today’s consumers see tremendous value in both branded and high-quality private-label products when making their grocery purchases,” said the company’s chief executive officer, Dimitrios Smyrnios, in a statement. “We believe our dynamic manufacturing capabilities, iconic brands, high-quality foods, and deep consumer insights will help our customers grow their branded and private-label businesses as they work to meet the evolving needs of consumers.”

Schwan’s Strategic Partner Solutions’ activities in co-packing and private–label currently centers on snacks and appetizers, ice cream, pies, pizza, beverages, sauces, and aluminum packaging.

“In creating the new private-label and co-packing business unit, we are achieving two objectives. We are increasing our strategic focus on our private-label business, a rapidly growing and vitally important market segment for our customers. And we are enabling other Schwan’s business units to intensify their focus on growing our own strong retail brands,” said Smyrnios.

The company appointed Joe Pacinelli, a veteran executive of Better Baked Foods, as the president of Schwan’s Strategic Partner Solutions. Reporting to Smyrnios, the incoming president of the unit has also served on the board of the American Frozen Food Institute for over a decade.

Following Schwan’s purchase of several frozen pizza companies this summer, including MaMa Rosa’s and NE Foods Inc., one of the new unit’s major focuses will be on furthering the firm’s pizza business.

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