LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE, CA - Company awards and personnel promotions are par for the course for transportation and logistics provider Allen Lund Company. The industry ally recently celebrated another internal promotion, this time promoting Brandon Demack to Assistant General Manager of the ALC Dallas office.

“I originally found out about the Allen Lund Company at a career fair event they attended while I was in college and soon afterward applied for a job when I graduated. I knew this was where I wanted to be immediately and have worked very hard over my career to help the Dallas office and Allen Lund Company,” Demack commented. “I am extremely excited about my next chapter as the Assistant General Manager of the Dallas office and will continue to work hard to help the office and company thrive!”

Since 2011, Demack has worked with Allen Lund Company. He previously served as the Operations Manager of the Dallas office.

Before starting with the company, he attended the University of North Texas, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management.

“Congratulations to Brandon on his promotion to Assistant General Manager of the Dallas Office,” stated Lenny Sciarappa, Vice President of Sales and Operations. “Brandon's efforts and dedication have been vital factors in the growth and success of the office. He has accepted and done an excellent job with each new responsibility offered throughout his career, and I’m confident he’ll do the same in his new position.”

David Leal, General Manager of the ALC Dallas Office, also reflected on the promotion.

“I am very excited to see Brandon get a well-deserved promotion,” Leal added. “He has worked very hard and has been an integral part of the success of the Dallas office.”

Congratulations to Brandon Demack on this new role!

PELION, SC - Building on the foundation established in 1925 by Founders (and grandparents) Walter and Ernestine Rawl, the leadership at WP Rawl has spent considerable time reflecting on their business, the foundation of the company, and how it progressed and changed over the years leading up to its centennial.

“With the help of our His Way at Work Coach, we established a dedicated group of team members that represent all areas of our business to champion living out our caring culture,” said Ashley Rawl, Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Product Development. “This ‘Caring Team,’ along with WP Rawl leadership, will play a vital role in ensuring that our purpose and values are not just words but are represented in our daily operations. As we approach the 100^th year, our purpose and values will guide decisions and actions to ensure we remain true to the principles that have brought us this far.”

Guided by its new mission statement and purpose, “Growing fresh vegetables, our team and our business all for the Glory of God,"
the company's new core values are:

• Stewardship - To oversee, protect, and grow
• Team - People working together
• Safety - Protect from harm
• Grit - Commitment to success

“All of us and our company belong to God,” said Susan Clifton, Vice President of Accounting and Finance. “It is our desire to steward well what He has given us, to love and care for one another because He loved us first. So, we are called to servant leadership through WP Rawl for the name and glory of Jesus Christ!”

A press release shared that the company held events for team members this summer at its headquarters in Pelion, South Carolina, as well as at its remote operations in Pennsylvania and Michigan, to announce the redefined focus.

To further support the initiative, the company put an emphasis on championing the culture within the organization.

AndNowUKnow keeps an ear to the ground for any updates in our industry, so for more stories like this, keep clicking back.

CINCINNATI, OH - Kroger recently reported its second quarter 2024 results, showing how it continues to position itself for long-term sustainable growth. In addition to this, the retailer also included an update regarding its merger with Albertsons.

“Kroger achieved solid results in the second quarter demonstrating the strength and resiliency of our model. We are growing households and increasing customer visits by offering a compelling combination of affordable prices and personalized promotions on great quality products, all through a unique seamless experience,” shared Rodney McMullen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We appreciate our associates for their focus on full, fresh, and friendly, which elevates the customer experience. Our long-term model is to consistently invest to lower prices so more customers shop with us, which in turn fuels our alternative profit businesses and drives greater efficiencies. This flywheel enables Kroger to deliver exceptional value for customers and investing in our associates, and by doing so, we are well-positioned to generate attractive and sustainable returns for shareholders.”

Here is a quick breakdown of the highlights:

• Operating Profit of $815 million; EPS of $0.64
• Adjusted FIFO Operating Profit of $984 million and Adjusted EPS of $0.93
• Achieved strong Adjusted Free Cash Flow
• Executed its go-to-market strategy to deliver value for customers
• Grew digital sales by 11 percent
• Total company sales were $33.9 billion in both the second quarters of 2024 and 2023
• Sales increased 1.3 percent compared to the same period last year, excluding fuel
   

Regarding the merger with Albertsons, McMullen added the following:

“As we near the close of the FTC's preliminary injunction hearing, we are confident in the facts and the strength of our position,” he noted. “The food industry has always been competitive and will continue to be after this merger. We are committed to closing this merger because bringing Kroger and Albertsons together will provide meaningful and measurable benefits—lower prices, secure jobs, and expanded access to fresh, affordable food—for customers, associates, and communities across the country.”

Todd Foley, Interim Chief Financial Officer, also commented.

“Our solid sales results through the first two quarters of the year give us the confidence to raise the low end of our full-year identical sales without fuel guidance by 50 basis points,” said Foley. “We now expect identical sales without fuel to be in the range of 0.75 percent to 1.75 percent. Our positive customer trends are driving sales momentum that we expect to continue in the second half of the year.”

Kroger expects to continue to generate strong free cash flow and remains committed to investing in the business to drive long-term sustainable net earnings growth, as well as maintaining its current investment grade debt rating.

Keep reading AndNowUKnow for more financial updates and information about the retail sector.

WASHINGTON DC - The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed an administrative complaint against Sunbelt Produce Distributors for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). The company, operating from Georgia, allegedly failed to make payment promptly to 20 produce sellers in the amount of $1,922,775 from February 2023 through February 2024.

Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Services:

Sunbelt Produce Distributors will have an opportunity to request a hearing. Should USDA find that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, it would be barred from the produce industry as a licensee for three years, or two years with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond. Furthermore, its principals could not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee for two years, or one year with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.

For contact information, and to read the release in its entirety, click here.

HONG KONG - Following the proposal of a potential $38.5 billion deal, 7-Eleven operator Seven & I Holdings recently rejected an opening offer from Circle K operator Alimentation Couche-Tard. The convenience store giant noted that the bid was too low in relation to 7-Eleven’s global business.

While noting that it is “open” to “sincerely consider” any proposal that is in the best interests of its shareholders, Tokyo-based Seven & I Holdings released a statement saying it will “resist any proposal that deprives [its] shareholders of the company’s intrinsic value or that fails to specifically address very real regulatory concerns.”

Couche-Tard recently addressed the news, expressing continued interest and respect of the business.

"We believe that, working together, we can successfully reach and complete a mutually agreeable transaction. We believe a combination would significantly enhance the important roles our companies play in our customers’ daily lives. Together, we would create a leading global retail platform with over 100,000 sites spanning Asia-Pacific, North America, Australia, and Europe. Our complementary businesses, shared values and excellent strategic fit would allow us to achieve significantly more together than we could individually. This includes further expanding the iconic 7-Eleven brand internationally, enhancing relationships with franchisees around the globe and attracting and retaining world-class talent," the company said. To read the full statement, click here.

Couche-Tard’s offer to Seven & I Holdings was valued at $14.86 per share in cash for a total of $38.5 billion, Reuters calculated.

According to CNN, Seven & I Holdings noted that the potential deal did not “adequately acknowledge the multiple and significant challenges such a transaction would face from U.S. competition law enforcement agencies in the current regulatory environment.”

The Tokyo-based group currently operates more than 83,000 stores around the world, including 7-Eleven shops and the Speedway chain of gas stations in the United States.

Reports from The Financial Times state that Seven & I remains open to the possibility of a higher offer from the convenience chain operator.

We will continue to monitor the convenience sector and beyond for the latest industry updates.

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA - Amidst the rising trend of healthy eating for kids, Dole Packaged Foods recently launched the Dole Wiggles® for Words program on National Read A Book Day, blending childhood literacy with nutritious snacking. This initiative pairs the purchase of Dole Wiggles® Gels with donations of children's books, promoting both literacy and healthy habits.

“As a trusted brand for over 120 years, families for generations have chosen Dole for its accessible, quality, and convenient fruit snacks like our Dole Wiggles Gels,” said Orzse Hodi, President of Packaged Foods, USA. “We’re proud to serve over 66 million students nationwide in grades K through 12 by feeding and fostering their development at school and at home. Now as a Scholastic Literacy Partner, we are excited to expand support with books for families in need and delicious, fruit-powered goodness for all.”

The program, which runs from September 6 to October 6, involves a book donation for every Dole Wiggles Gels purchased at select retailers. According to a press release from Scholastic, early literacy is crucial for long-term health, and access to books significantly impacts overall well-being.

In addition to this initiative, Dole is launching a mobile "Treat Truck" to engage communities. This truck will visit select Walmart and Meijer stores from September 6 to September 22, offering Dole Wiggles Gels samples, a reading pledge wall, and interactive learning activities.

“Increasing literacy is an important part of the long-term physical and mental health of young people,” said Dwaine Millard, Senior Vice President of Sales and Partnerships, Scholastic. “We’re thrilled that Dole has become a Scholastic Literacy Partnership Member to help support literacy by getting books into the hands of children that need them.”

With its innovative approach to merging literacy and snacking, Dole is raising the bar for corporate social responsibility, making a tangible impact on children's education and well-being.

Keep reading ANUK for more industry updates.