“We are extremely proud to have our efforts with Hormel Foods honored,” said Dale Hanke, Red Arrow president and CEO. “Besides providing the best products and service to our customers, we continually strive to provide new product innovation to ensure our customers reach and exceed their business goals.”
In order to qualify for the Hormel No. 1 Award, Red Arrow had to attain the Spirit of Excellence Award a minimum of four times throughout the last five consecutive years; have an average equal to or greater than 96 percent of the five-year supplier rating index; meet additional requirements in the areas of number of products sold by the supplier to Hormel Foods, dollars of exposure and deliveries to Hormel Foods, number of Hormel Foods locations serviced and participation in continuous improvement processes.
“This award recognizes suppliers that demonstrate a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, growth, partnership and customer service,” said Melanie Faust, director of purchasing at Hormel Foods. “Long-term successful partnerships with our suppliers allow Hormel Foods to achieve our goal of elevating the everyday with our customers. Congratulations to our Hormel No. 1 recipients and all of their employees.”
“Our relationship as a supplier to Hormel Foods extends to the 1970s. While the two companies have a strong history of working together, the relationship has truly thrived based on the commitment at Hormel Foods to product innovation, and Red Arrow’s Value Improvement Program (VIP) that truly redefines the term ‘business partner’,” said Mark Crass, vice-president sales and marketing, Red Arrow Products Company.
Red Arrow’s VIP has company representatives in plant locations evaluating equipment/product application, efficiencies and cook schedules and introducing new technologies and product innovations surrounding cooking method technologies.
