S. Rosen's Rye Bread Featured on Food Network's 'Unwrapped'

When the popular Food Network program 'Unwrapped' decided to do a show devoted to deli foods, they knew they needed to showcase the ultimate deli bread. That's why they traveled to the Alpha Baking Co., Inc. plant in LaPorte, Indiana to shoot a segment on our world-famous S. Rosen's rye. Featured in the segment are company President Larry Marcucci and Vice President of Production George Poulos, who takes viewers on a detailed tour of the baking and packaging processes. Check your local listings for reruns of the Deli episode of 'Unwrapped.' For more information on the episode, see here.

Vice President of Logistics, Bob McGuire, Featured on Cover of Food Logistics Magazine

Alpha Baking's cold storage facility, Frozen Assets, was featured on the cover of the October issue of Food Logistics Magazine.  Frozen Assets, a 41,000sq.ft. dedicated center was developed and engineered by Bob McGuire and Frozen Assets Cold Storage to accomodate and efficiently move over 8,000 pallets of Alpha Baking's fast moving products.  Alpha Baking and Bob McGuire are very excited about the prestigious honor of being featured on the cover of this magazine.  Click here to read the full archived story of Frozen Assets and its outstanding capabilities and efficiencies.

S. Rosen's Bun-a-thon raises over $100,000 for Local Food Banks

To celebrate the S. Rosen's brand's 100th anniversary, Alpha Baking Company, Inc. hosted a charity drive during the third week in July. During this week, each S. Rosen's hot dog bun eaten in restaurants, diners, and hot dog stands meant a ten cent donation to five Midwest food banks. The public was encouraged to "chow for charity" during this week and eat 1,000,000 S. Rosen's buns to help Alpha Baking reach its goal of donating $100,000.

When the poppy seeds cleared, it became apparent that the goal had been not only met but far surpassed. At a presentation event on July 29th, 2009, Steve Rosen, Alpha Baking Company's Vice President and General Manager and grandson of the founder of S. Rosen's, presented a check for $120,773.60. The recipient charities are Greater Chicago Food Depository, Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, America's Second Harvest of Wisconsin, the Chicago Anti-Hunger Federation, and the Northern Illinois Food Bank.

Visit here for more information about our donation.

Alpha Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of its S. Rosen's Brand with "Bun-a-thon"

S. Rosen's brand turns 100 years old this year. To celebrate, we will be donating 10 cents to local food banks for every S. Rosen's hot dog bun eaten in a restaurant, diner, or hot dog stand from July 13th through July 19th. Our goal is to sell 1,000,000 buns, meaning $100,000 given to five Midwestern food banks. You can help - click the link below for more information about the promotion and to donate directly to the food banks, or simply order a hot dog on a delicious S. Rosen's bun between July 13th and July 19th.

Visit here for more information about this promotion.

Alpha Baking Company's Robert McGuire Named to American Bakers Association Committee

Robert McGuire, Vice President of Logistics for Alpha Baking Company, Inc., was recently appointed Chairman of the American Bakers Association's Fleet and Distribution Committee. We congratulate Robert on this honor.

Alpha Baking Company Highlighted in Chicago Tribune Article

Gary Narcisi, Alpha's Group VP Frozen Foodservice and Retail, was recently  featured in an article in the Chicago Tribune's business section. The article addresses the changing needs of consumers during the economic downturn. Narcisi points to Alpha's new 4 packs and Party Entertainers cocktail ryes as examples of giving customers what they want: smaller packages at lower price points.

Click here to read the article.

WBBM Radio Features S. Rosen's on Air

Chicago's WBBM radio recently featured Alpha Baking's S. Rosen's brand for "Made in Chicago," a recurring segment focusing on Chicago businesses. WBBM's Craig Dellimore interviewed Steve Rosen, Alpha Baking VP & General Manager and grandson of S. Rosen's founder, about bread production and being part of a longstanding family business.

Click here to listen to the interview.

Natural Ovens Makes the News

Green Bay, Wisconsin's WFRV-TV recently featured Natural Ovens Bakery on their Sunday morning newscast. The segment began with a mention of Alpha Baking's waste vegetable oil (WVO) program, a pilot program running some of our fleet on oil used in cooking that has been refined and recycled. The anchors then move on to an interview with Natural Ovens representative Melissa Ebert, who talks about the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids (which our breads have contained for years) before demonstrating some quick, easy-to-make breakfast recipes featuring Natural Ovens breads, bagels, and granola.

Click here to watch the video.

Aurora Medical Center Awards Star Award to Alpha Employee

Marie Russell, a delivery driver for Alpha Baking, has been awarded an Aurora Star award for going "above and beyond in her service when it comes to helping Aurora Medical Center." Food Service Lead Pamela LeGrave, who nominated Russell for the award, points out Marie's "exceptional service" and "significant contributions through teamwork and accountability." The Aurora Star will be presented at an awards celebration on March 17, 2009. We congratulate Marie Russell on this honor and her outstanding work.

Alpha Baking Awarded Sysco Silver Supplier 2008 Award

Alpha Baking was recently named #20 on a list of Sysco's top 100 suppliers, earning a Silver Supplier award for 2008. The 2008 Supplier Recognition recipients were selected from over 2,000 eligible suppliers located across the world. All finalists -- the "Top 100" -- were selected based on key business performance metrics with critical evaluation by Sysco's U.S. broadline distribution companies, Sysco's corporate Merchandising, Sourcing, Quality Assurance and Supply Chain Services departments.

Click here to read more.

Brian Carson takes home a medal!
Alpha Baking Company’s Director Techincal Services, Brian Carson, has won third place in a National Contest sponsored by The California Raisin Board for the Best Raisin Bread in the country. His formula and bread design placed among hundreds of entries and third out of the eleven finalists.
Click here to read more: http://www.calraisins.org/presscenter/release.cfm?id=117

NIGHTLY BUSINESS REPORT INTERVIEWS LARRY MARCUCCI
CLICK THE FOLLOWING LINKS TO READ article
Oil Gushes Higher While The Dollar Drops Lower
Article:  http://www.pbs.org/nbr/site/onair/transcripts/080313c/

Oil Gushes Higher While The Dollar Drops Lower

SNACK FOOD & WHOLESALE BAKERY OF THE YEAR AWARD ! 
Click the following link to read the cover story:
Thinking Beyond the Alphabet by Deborah Cassell 
http://www.snackandbakery.com/content.php?s=SF/2007/09&p=3

PEAK DEVELOPMENT, LLC. BREAKS GROUND FOR ALPHA BAKING COMPANY IN NORTH AURORA, ILLINOIS
(North Aurora, Illinois – Wednesday, November 28, 2007) PRESS RELEASE !

(front row from left: Marc Zawicki, V.P. & Chief Finan. Officer; Bob McGuire, V.P. Logistics; Nancy Kostos,
Office Manager; Joe Nemethy, Director of Retail Sales)

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held today for Alpha Baking Company’s new regional distribution center at 501 Overland Drive in North Aurora, Illinois. The building will be situated in the Toll way Park of Commerce with easy access to I-88 at the Rt. 31 interchange.  Summit Design + Build, LLC has been selected general contractor for the project.

Alpha Baking Company was formed in 1979 when it bought Mary Ann Baking Company in Chicago. Founded in 1935, Mary Ann was the originator of the “Chicago-style poppy seed hot dog bun” which Alpha continues to bake for not only the Chicago market, but also for those selling Chicago style hot dogs across the United States. In 1981, Alpha purchased the S. Rosen Baking Company, a Chicago staple of Jewish hearth rye bread and variety rolls that was founded in 1909. Through the years, Alpha has continued to grow through the acquisition of Kreamo Bakers in South Bend  I N ., National Baking Company in Chicago and Natural Ovens Bakery in Manitowoc, WI. Alpha Baking Company currently sells its products under the S. Rosen, Mary Ann, Kreamo, Golden Hearth and Natural Oven’s brand names.

According to Robert McGuire, Vice President Logistics, Alpha Baking Company, “Our (retail and fresh division) business continues to grow rapidly and that’s why we’re going to vacate the spot we’re in right now, and we’re literally moving into a state-of-art type program to serve our fresh and retail business.”

Ken Motew, Managing Partner of PEAK Development, LLC., stated that the new 19,055 sq. ft. facility will be constructed on a 3.5 acre site and will feature 1,845 sq. ft. of office, 17,210 sq. ft. of warehouse, 39 exterior docks, and 31 parking stalls.  Summit Design + Build’s, David Brown, project engineer and Erik Hauser, field superintendent will oversee the on-site construction of Alpha Baking’s distribution center. Architectural services are being provided by Harris Architects, Inc.  The build-to-suit transaction on behalf of Alpha Baking Company was represented by Dennis Salinas, Marketing/Leasing Director of First Industrial Realty Trust.  Completion is scheduled for second quarter 2008.

PEAK Development, LLC, is a privately held company that focuses on the development of multi-unit residential, single family, and mixed-use, as well as, office, commercial and industrial properties.  More information about, PEAK Development, LLC can be found by visiting their website at www.peak-development.biz or by calling (312) 229-4610.

 

FROZEN ASSETS AND ALPHA BAKING ARE GROWING TOGETHER

Frozen Assets Cold Storage, Chicago IL, announces the development of a new building, adding to its existing site, which will be dedicated to its customer Alpha Baking (also headquartered in Chicago).  The new building will add 51,000 square feet (8700 pallet positions) to the existing site of 250,000 square feet (25,500 pallet position) bringing the total to 301,000 sq. ft. and 34,200 pallet positions.

In November of 2005 Frozen Assets Cold Storage, LLC (FACS) opened it doors.  The City of Chicago location, superior in security design and operation, including fully functional RF systems, comprehensive array of services (including blast freezing, meat reboxing, USDA inspections, export documentation, Russian export approval, and customized distribution solutions) all operated by a dedicated team of professionals combine to create a success partnership.

Alpha Baking, a privately held and operated business is a national supplier of high quality bakery products based in Chicago. Alpha Baking has experienced dramatic growth in the past couple of years and is focused on its core competencies of baking and marketing products. Alpha anticipates the growth of its business supplying the frozen and fresh foodservice, retail and contract packaging markets will continue.  Mike Marcucci, CEO of Alpha Baking comments, “We concentrate on delivering high quality products that represent outstanding value to our customers.” Mike charged V.P. of Logistics, Bob McGuire with developing a customized distribution solution providing cost controls and exceptional service on a long-term basis.  McGuire and the FACS team have developed that solution which will be operational from the new building in the fall of 2007. 

Rick Loesel, President of FACS, notes that working with Alpha Baking “allows all of us to make long term commitments to each other and our mutual customers.”  The partnership between FACS and Alpha Baking will allow multi vendor shipping consolidation creating transportation efficiencies.  Loesel comments “this expansion is what supply chain integration really looks like.”  

Alpha Going “GREEN”!


(photo: the "Diesel Magnum" fuel injector)            (Photo: New Alpha Baking Tractor)

Alpha Baking has taken steps towards a more environmentally friendly distribution solution. Alpha is testing three new trucks with the new “diesel Magnum”. The patented “Diesel Magnum” is a proven high tech propane injection system for diesel engines; that first and foremost drastically reduces particulate and NOX emissions, safely increases horsepower and torque, reduces harmful engine oil contaminates and increases fuel efficiency by up to 40%. The Technocarb “SVI” system is a state of the art EPA Certified Sequential Propane Vapor injection system designed to meet strict emissions requirements for modern gasoline engines. “The diesel Magnum could potentially save thousands per year in fuel expense while improving air quality and extending engine life,” states Bob McGuire, V.P. of Logistics.