Operating under the name Panhandle Milling, the group will be headquartered in Dawn, Texas, and has described itself as having “decades of experience in every sector of the grain, milling and blending businesses”.
The new operating group comprises:
Panhandle Milling: A flour mill that specializes in producing organic and conventional flours for use in tortilla, bakery and food production facilities.
Specialty Blends: A mixing/blend plant that can produce products from pancake mix to Chicago-style pizza crust mix, using blenders that can incorporate high concentrations of oils and shortenings into mix recipes.
Specialty Grains: Uses ‘state-of-the-art’ cleaning and sorting technologies to blend and pack traditional, organic and non-GMO grains, and organic ancient grains. Packaging options range from seven-ounce stand-up pouches to 100-pound bags, totes and bulk capability.
New Mexico Milling: A facility that produces flour for tortillas, bread, Indian bread and pancake mix.
“The consolidation of businesses makes geographic sense in order to leverage all of the companies’ strengths and remain innovative in the industry,” said New Mexico Milling President and CEO Bryan Ledgerwood.
‘Significant’ investments are being made in all four companies, said Scott Freebern, Panhandle partner and vice president of engineering/milling.
“In each business we focused our investments on assets that are nimble and flexible, allowing for unique and customizable products to meet market demands,” he added.
‘Strong leadership’
Panhandle Milling has an “extremely strong leadership team”, as well as an “experienced and talented” sales group, said Peter Bisaccia, who will lead the new organization as president and partner.
“We are well positioned to continually drive innovation and growth in the market place,” he added.
Before he joined Panhandle, Bisaccia was senior director of sales at Ardent Mills, and prior to that was director of sales for ConAgra Mills in Omaha. A 30-year veteran of the grain, blend mixing, and flour milling industry, he has also served as sales leader for Bay State Milling.
Flour sales at the newly merged operation will be led by Randal Robinson, who has more than 20 years of experience with Panhandle Milling. Sheena Dau, previously key account manager for the foodservice channel at Ardent Mills, will lead specialty sales.