Read the March 10th, 2025 Green Bay Innovation Group Newsletter here.
March 10th, 2025 Expo Recap Newsletter
Category: Expo Information
2025 GBIG Expo Sponsors, Exhibitors, and Guests: Thank You!
The 5P SHOWCASE EXPO on February 25-26-25 at the Fox Cities Expo Center in Appleton, WI was an outstanding success! The Green Bay Innovation Group (GBIG) and the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) would like to thank our 110 Exhibitors and Sponsors and our 575 guests. We want to thank our guest speakers: Michael Manley of Amazon, Paul Murphy of Menasha, Mark Hunter of Hoffmaster, Heather Prah of IDDBA, Natha Dempsey of Foodservice Packaging Institute, and the outstanding Panel from the University of Wisconsin.
The Presentations were magnificent with a packed audience addressing current issues impacting our industries for the two-day event. The 5P Showcase surpassed your expectations with a diverse range of exhibitors! We had an excellent networking event with over 275 people hosted by Hoffman Planning, Design & Construction, Hurckman Mechanical and McClone Insurance.
Exhibitors
Zeta Group
BPM Inc
Vissum
Ahlstrom
Display Pack
OEC
Rocket Industrial
Sierra Coating
Anchor Packaging
Alajan Packaging
Marty with Hoffman crew
Networking
2025 Expo Speakers
2025 Expo Speakers Heather Prach and Natha Dempsey with Marty
Heather Prach and Natha Dempsey speaking
Mark Hunter of Hoffmaster
Michael Manley-Amazon
Paul Murphy-Menasha Corporation
Group from UW Madison
More To See at The Expo!
February 21st, 2025 Expo Newsletter
Read the February 21st, 2025 Green Bay Innovation Group Newsletter here.
February 18th, 2025 Expo Newsletter
Read the February 18th, 2025 Green Bay Innovation Group Newsletter here.
5P Expo Showcase Speaker: Heather Prach
IDDBA’s Insight to 2025 Guiding Trends Leading the Dairy, Deli and Bakery Industries
Written by Heather Prach
Heather Prach serves as the Vice President of Education and Industry Relations at the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA), a nonprofit organization based in Madison, Wisconsin, that has been serving the dairy, deli, bakery, cheese, and supermarket foodservice industries since 1964. In her role, Prach oversees the development and delivery of educational resources and industry insights to IDDBA members. Through these initiatives, Prach continues to support IDDBA’s mission to provide members with the tools and knowledge necessary to grow their businesses in the dynamic dairy, deli, and bakery sectors.
In today’s fast-paced world, consumers are increasingly prioritizing convenience when it comes to meal prep. With busy schedules, many are turning to pre-made meals or partially prepared ingredients that simplify cooking without sacrificing flavor. According to Datassential’s 2024 report, half of all at-home meals now involve pre-made elements, showcasing the growing preference for ready-to-eat or easy-to-assemble options. These meals save time and reduce the complexity of cooking, while still delivering delicious results.
“Consumers are looking for efficiency in the kitchen,” says Jonna Parker from Circana. Pre-cooked proteins, meal kits, and ready-to-heat dishes have become go-to choices for many, turning what would be a complex recipe into a straightforward assembly task. Appliances like microwaves and air fryers, which are used more frequently by younger generations, are also driving this shift toward quicker meal prep.
Despite the focus on convenience, today’s consumers still care deeply about taste and quality. There is a noticeable trend toward upgrading pre-made foods with creative touches. Store-bought pizzas can be transformed into gourmet meals with fresh toppings like burrata or arugula, while pre-packaged desserts can be enhanced with artisanal sauces or a sprinkle of edible gold dust. This trend demonstrates that indulgence and convenience don’t have to be mutually exclusive—small changes can make a big impact.
Sustainability is also playing a key role in shaping food trends. Consumers are more conscious than ever about their environmental impact, favoring brands that offer eco-friendly packaging and sustainable food practices. In particular, multi-purpose products that cater to different meal types or dietary needs are growing in popularity. Reducing food waste and embracing sustainable practices are becoming essential for companies to stay in tune with consumer values.
The demand for innovation in the food industry continues to grow. With 86% of consumers eager to try new foods, there is an increasing desire for fresh, exciting culinary experiences. From limited-time offerings to multicultural flavor explorations, consumers are seeking bold, unexpected dishes. Pop-up flavors and exclusive collaborations are creating buzz, tapping into consumers’ hunger for novelty.
Social media is further fueling food trends, especially among younger generations. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram not only shape what people eat but also drive purchasing decisions. Viral food trends, quirky flavor combinations, and nostalgia-driven creations are increasingly becoming part of the cultural zeitgeist. Consumers are more likely than ever to try something new simply because they’ve seen it online.
As consumer preferences evolve, the food industry is adapting by offering products that are quick, creative, and sustainable. The demand for convenient, flavorful, and innovative meals is stronger than ever, and brands that can balance these needs will thrive in this fast-moving market. From transforming simple ingredients into luxury meals to introducing new flavors, the future of food is all about simplicity, indulgence, and endless possibilities.
5P Expo Showcase Speaker: Michael Manley
As a Senior Manager of Global Business Development (Tech) at Amazon, Michael Manley plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of consumer trust through the innovative Transparency program. With a focus on brand experience, Michael is responsible for implementing and operationalizing this groundbreaking item-level serialization service, which is rapidly becoming a global standard for ensuring product authenticity and safety. His leadership extends to a dedicated team that empowers global operations and cultivates a robust network of third-party Transparency Service Providers, ensuring that the program is not only scalable but also effective in enhancing consumer confidence.
5P Expo Showcase Speaker: Natha Dempsey
President, Foodservice Packaging Institute
Natha Dempsey is president of the Foodservice Packaging Institute, the trade association for the North American foodservice packaging industry.
At FPI, she advocates for the interests of the industry and champions its efforts to expand recycling and composting of foodservice packaging. In her previous position at FPI, Dempsey served as vice president.
Prior to joining the association in 2010, she held various positions at SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association (now called Plastics Industry Association).
5P Expo Showcase Speaker: Jeff Krepline
Jeff Krepline currently serves as Executive Vice President of Menasha Packaging Company, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Menasha Corporation.
Executive Vice President
Menasha Packaging Company, LLC
Krepline joined Menasha Corporation in 1991 as a Manufacturing Management Trainee and has held successive leadership roles across multiple Menasha businesses. During the mid-1990’s he helped lead Menasha Packaging’s transformation from being primarily a “brown box” solution provider to a graphic packaging and display company, which included the development of Menasha’s first on-shelf merchandising product portfolio.
In 2002, Krepline was named Vice President of National Sales & Menasha’s Retail Integration Institute (RII) and led Menasha’s entry into point-of-purchase (POP) sales and fulfillment solutions, leveraging the RII platform to uniquely position Menasha as the industry supplier with retail relationships and insights that help CPG’s win.
In 2016, he was named Vice President of Unilever & Retail overseeing sales and operations for the North American Menasha & Unilever relationship. Three years later, Krepline was named Vice President of Unilever, Sales Strategy & Business Development facilitating Menasha Packaging’s evolution into e-commerce.
In 2023, Krepline was named Executive Vice President where his role expanded to include leading the evolution of Menasha’s graphic packaging strategy, and operations for the preprint, paperboard, fanfold and food facilities.
In his current role, Krepline draws on his sales, operations, retail, display, merchandising, supply chain, and packaging industry experience to lead the activation of Menasha Packaging’s revenue operations.
Krepline is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
5P Expo Showcase Speaker: Mark Hunter
Twenty-five years of pulp and paper experience as an Asset Manager, Production Manager, and Process Engineering/Technical Superintendent.
Professional Strengths and Certifications
MBA, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, 2006. GPA: 3.9/4.0
BS Chemical Engineering, University of Maine, 1995. GPA: 3.6/4.0
Professional Strengths and Training Certifications
PI – Process-Book Digital Historian. ParcView. Statistical Process Control. Reliability Solutions Asset Essential Care. Kepner-Tregoe ATS. Situational Leadership – Ken Blanchard Training Program. Safe-Start Safety and Management Execution. OSHA 1910. OSHA Machine Guarding.
Professional Experience
Hoffmaster Group Inc.
Value Stream Manager and Director Technology Innovation 2017-Present
- Led a cross-functional team in designing new embossing technology and tissue machine centerlines to increase an Ultra-Premium Private Label product by 10 points of TSA softness, while maintaining full converting speeds. The project delivered $25 million-year in incremental revenue.
- Developed technology upgrades in paperboard and paper plate manufacturing reducing fiber use and improving productivity, resulting in cost savings of $4.3 million per year.
- Responsible for leading a team of 32 maintenance and engineering employees to achieve business goals at a leading printed napkin and paper plate Plant with 420 employees.
- Increased Plate Forming Overall Equipment Effectiveness by 8 percent by implementing an Asset Maintenance Work Process and Operator Basic Care Implementation. Improvements were also driven by a Plan-of-Control on Paper Board Material Supply, based on board analyses, and partnerships with suppliers to optimize the board for Paper Plate Manufacturing.
- Reduced the weekly pitstop from 8-hours to 4-hours on a world-class Bobst Printing Presses through SMED techniques, operator training, and engineering improvements.
Neenah Paper, Neenah, WI
Operations Manager 2016-2017
- Responsible for the safe, reliable, premium-quality manufacturing of a 100-employee specialty paper products plant.
- Responsibility for 4 direct reports: 3 machine managers and 1 process engineer.
- Leadership and implementation of Non-Routine and Upset-Condition Work Processes.
- Sponsored water removal improvement changes, reducing energy and enabling a new product to be produced, saving $300,000/year.
First Quality LLC, Anderson, SC
Operations Manager 2015-2016
- Responsible for the safe, reliable, premium-quality manufacturing at a 450-employee consumer products plant.
- Responsible for 100 employees in the manufacturing area.
- Leadership of changes that led to a 12% increase in machine production through chemical systems changes and optimization.
Fox River Fiber, DePere, WI.
Production Manager 2013-2015
- Responsible for the safe, reliable production performance of a modern paper recycling operation.
- Responsible for managing 4 shift team leaders and mentoring them to improve operational performance.
- Increased production 10% through improved reliability via implementing a digital centerlining system and Operator Asset Care Program.
Georgia Pacific, Crossett, AR and Port Hudson, LA
Process Technology Leader 2010-2013
- Process Technology Leader for a $100 million-dollar investment to rebuild two machines to improve quality from premium to ultra-premium in the consumer products (tissue) market.
- Responsible for the development and implementation of asset operating strategies for the new machines.
- Responsible for technology transfer between the existing technology site and startup sites.
- Developed an encapsulated, low-water usage fabric cleaning system, which eliminated major cleaning and machine contamination issues. The new-to-the-industry, patented system allowed a more structured, complex fabric design to be utilized, significantly improving product quality and cost. Estimated value creation of $1.7 million dollars per year.
Georgia Pacific, Green Bay, WI
Machine Manager 2003-2010
Technical Manager 2001-2003
- Operational leadership and management of a $40 million-dollar, major machine rebuild to create capability to produce premium-quality commercial products.
- Increased average machine Overall-Equipment-Efficiency from 60% to 92% through leadership in the following areas: operator training and skills development; process optimization and capital project implementation. Created $2.0 million dollars per year of incremental profit.
- Optimized incoming raw materials mix and machine changes and adjustment necessary to support, reducing cost by $1.7 million dollars/year.
- Redesigned plant steam systems through re-compressor design changes and steam-header pressure changes. Overall plant savings were $10 million dollars per year.
- Decreased air-systems energy loss through material and energy balances, driving equipment and process changes, reducing cost by $1.4 million dollars per year. The Project was awarded the Governor’s Annual Energy-Reduction Project Honor.
- Decreased process rejects from 4% to under 1% through process simulation and equipment optimization, reducing cost by $420,000 per year.
- Leadership and management of 3 Salaried Supervisors & 28 Hourly Employees.
- Implemented procedures to increase uptime – Housekeeping, Machine Cleaning, Grade Change Standard Operating Procedures and Equipment and Process Rounds.
Georgia Pacific, Camas, WA
Assistant Superintendent 1997-2000
Shift Supervisor
Technical Assistant
- Led chemical recovery optimization, implementing changes and new Standard Operating Procedures, reducing fuel use by 6%, lime chemical makeup by 20%, and increasing chemical recovery system capacity by 5%. Overall the project reduced chemical and energy cost by $900,000/year.
- Optimized washing systems, shifting water use from 3-stage to 4-stage wash line, reducing chemical and energy cost by $700,000/year.
- Shift Supervision responsibility for 60 employees. Coached operators to ensure mill performance metrics were achieved. Conducted operator performance reviews.
January 14th, 2025 Expo Newsletter
Read the January 14th, 2025 Green Bay Innovation Group Newsletter here.
