Michael Foods sues Center Fresh Group’s Hawkeye Pride

Michael Foods has filed a lawsuit against Hawkeye Pride Egg Farms, a division of Center Fresh Group, alleging it breached its egg supply contract after avian influenza hit Hawkeye Pride farms and prevented it from meeting its egg supply obligations.
The suit was filed in a federal court in Des Moines, Iowa, according to a TwinCities.com report.
Center Fresh Group had earlier confirmed that two cases of avian influenza were found at two of its Iowa farms, affecting one flock of 3.8 million birds and another flock of 1.7 million birds.
Michael Foods, a subsidiary of Post Holdings, has also had troubles with avian influenza affecting its layer farms in Dixon County, Nebraska. The company revealed that about 25 percent of its egg volume commitments had been compromised as a result of layer flocks being infected with avian influenza.
Michael Foods has since filed documents with the Nebraska Department of Labor concerning layoffs at its egg production facilities in Wakefield, Nebraska, as a result of avian influenza’s presence and a subsequent decline in the workload there. A timeline for the layoffs has not been revealed.
Bookmark the WATTAgNet avian influenza update page, which includes news and analysis concerning the virus and its impact on the poultry industry.

Michael Foods receives employee training grant

Egg and food processor Michael Foods and Northern Star Co. were awarded a $300,000 grant to develop a three-year customized employee training program. The grant will serve about 770 employees and opens up the door to future partnerships with parent company Post Holdings. 
The grant offered to the companies was one of three offered through a new program offered through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, which announced over the summer that Minnesota State University (MSU) and several local businesses will share in Minnesota Job Skills Partnership funds totaling more than $500,000, according to a report in the Mankato Free Press.
The program itself works with businesses and educational institutions to train or retrain workers, expand work opportunities and keep high-quality jobs in the state of Minnesota. Ann Goebel, director of strategic partnerships at MSU, said the university will provide training in a variety of customized professional courses while establishing long-lasting connections with the three manufacturers. 
"The grant is just a starting point for building relationships," she said after a special grants award ceremony at MSU.
Two other businesses in Minnesota received grants. Perfume and flavor business Firmenich received $46,697, while Truck Bodies & Equipment International received $157,000.

Pasta company to become part of Michael Foods operation

Post Holdings, parent company of egg, cheese and potato business Michael Foods, is undergoing management and business structure changes which will include the Dakota Growers Pasta Company as part of Michael Foods. Post Holdings acquired both businesses in 2014, taking ownership of Dakota Growers Pasta Company in January and Michael Foods in June.
James E. Dwyer Jr., who has led Michael Foods since 2009, will become an executive vice president of Post Holdings, in addition to holding his leadership position with Michael Foods.
The changes at Michael Foods, as well as other changes within Post Holdings announced on October 9, will take effect November 1.
Other leadership changes at Post Holdings
William P. Stiritz, who has served as chairman and CEO since Post separated from Ralcorp Holdings Inc. in 2012, will continue with Post's executive team in the newly-created role of executive chairman. In connection with this new role, Stiritz's employment agreement was extended to October 2017.
Robert V. Vitale has been named president and chief executive officer. Vitale has served as Post's chief financial officer since its formation in October 2011.  Vitale has also been named to Post's board of directors.
Terence E. Block, currently president and chief operating officer, has decided to retire from Post. Block will also retire from Post's board of directors.
James E. Dwyer Jr., who has served as president and CEO of Michael Foods since 2009, will become an executive vice president of Post Holdings. Michael Foods, 
James L. Holbrook, the newly named president and CEO of Post’s Consumer Brands Group, will join Dwyer as executive vice presidents of Post Holdings. With the structural changes, the Consumer Brands Group will include Post Foods cereal operations as well as the recently acquired active nutrition businesses of Premier Nutrition Corporation, Dymatize Enterprises and the PowerBar and Musashi brands.