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FRONT BURNER

“He has a diverse logistical background that distinguished him as the best possible
candidate to lead Troop Support into the future,” Williams said. “He’s a focused leader,
a warfighter’s logistician who will get the job done and take care of the work force.”
Simerly will oversee a workforce of 2,900 civilian and military personnel around
the world that supports the warfighter and other customers through five supply
chains: Subsistence, Clothing and Textiles, Construction and Equipment, Medical
and Industrial Hardware.
“I can’t tell you how blessed I am to be here today … and the sense of gratitude
for the great team that General Hamilton has provided to me and General Williams
has entrusted me with,” Simerly said.
Simerly is a Richmond, Virginia, native and was commissioned a lieutenant for
Air Defense Artillery on graduation from the University of Richmond, where he was
a Distinguished Military Graduate.
“It’s remarkable to stand here today, in the birthplace of our nation’s dream,”
he said. “I’m humbled and honored to be given the opportunity to lead the service
members and civilians and families of DLA Troop Support.”

Buying Italian Meat Company
Diversifies Portfolio

ormel Foods Corporation gained a distinct Italian flavor with the acquisition
Hin August of Fontanini Italian Meats and Sausages, a branded food service
business, from Capitol Wholesale Meats Inc.
Based in the Chicago metropolitan area, Fontanini specializes in authentic
Italian meats and sausages, as well as a variety of other premium meat products
including pizza toppings and meatballs.
Fontanini will continue operations out of its facility in the Chicago metropolitan
area and will report to Hormel’s Refrigerated Foods segment.
“The Fontanini brand is highly regarded, and the addition of these products
to our portfolio will allow us to accelerate growth for both Hormel Foods food
service and for Fontanini through expanded distribution and new customers,” said
Jim Snee, president and chief executive officer at Hormel Foods, in a press release.
“This acquisition will allow Fontanini to strengthen under the Hormel Foods
umbrella given its leadership in retail combined with our shared leadership in food
service,” said Gene Fontanini, CEO of Capitol Wholesale Meats Inc.
JoAnne Fontanini, president of Capitol Wholesale Meats Inc. added, “On behalf of
our entire family, we are excited about the resources and experience Hormel Foods will
bring to Fontanini and look forward to seeing continued growth, well into the future.”

Acquisition of Condiment Brands Completed

cCormick & Company, on Aug. 17, completed its acquisition of Reckett
MBenckiser’s Food Division (RB Foods) from Reckitt Benckiser Group plc.
McCormick & Company announced on July 18 that it was acquiring the food
division, which includes the brands Frank’s RedHot, French’s and Cattlemen’s, for
approximately $4.2 billion. “The addition of these highly complementary brands
will allow McCormick to continue to take advantage of the growing trend toward
spicy, flavorful eating with natural, high-quality ingredients and advances our vision
to ‘bring the joy of flavor to life,’” said Lawrence E. Kurzius, chairman, president
and CEO of McCormick & Company.
In adding the brands, McCormick expands the range of flavorful condiments it
supplies, but is not expected to result in any changes to doing business with Reckett
Benckiser’s Food Division. “Our sales team will continue to provide you with the
usual high level of service and quality products,” said Christopher Riesbeck, national
sales director, the French’s Food Company. “We value our relationship and we will
do our best to keep you informed of key milestones in this exciting development.”
8 GOVERNMENT FOOD SERVICE • SEPTEMBER 2017