Our Common Interest!

[avatar user=”dannades” size=”160″ align=”left”]Dann Ades
Chairman of the International Packaged Ice Association[/avatar]

Spring has sprung! All the winter maintenance and projects will start to pay-off soon. As I travelled this year to the Regional association meetings, much talk was about FDA- FSMA, projects, maintenance and being ready for the summer season. We Ice guys understand the importance of performing maintenance and having those projects done to make a smooth and opportunistic summer. One thing I’ve learned is once your behind it’s really difficult to catch up.

I had a great time this spring at the regionals, meeting new people and strengthening relationships with others. I saw a common theme at all the regionals, that is love and respect for the industry and its people. Of course not everyone is best friends. When you compete for business that fierce competitor comes out in most of us. Once we understand that it’s just business and that as an industry we are improving to raise the tide for all boats the fierce level draws down and we see how improvements will lead to better business practices and ultimately sales for all of us. I must say that every regional had great speakers and I gained value at each meeting. The people in our industry are so genuine and support each other well. From the ice manufacturers and distributors to the suppliers everyone adds value and zeal. I must commend our suppliers. They support, befriend, and sponsor most every regional and the IPIA to make these conferences valuable. If you don’t attend the IPIA or regional conference you really should participate. Meeting people with the same business tasks and similar problems helps you to identify. Psychologically, it helps you become more confident and a better person. It enriches your knowledge because you will gain information from others that would take years to learn on your own and the list goes on and on.

Conforming to the same issues; – one common issue became very clear as I traveled to the regionals. The changes coming from the FDA regarding “FSMA” (FSMA- Food Safety Modernization Act). The FDA has been tasked with getting all food manufacturers to be proactive in preventing food borne illness. With that focus they are stepping up the compliance audits and enforcing “FOOD Safety programs” as a mitigation standard. Those of you who are IPIA-members are already meeting the Food Safety program with the IPIA- PIQCS program (PIQCS- Packaged Ice Quality Control Standards) which is a food safety program that is proven to work and has been part of the vision of IPIA for over 25 years. If you’re not a member of IPIA you should join ASAP. You can ask any member what is the biggest value of IPIA and they will tell you it’s the PIQCS program. Some newer members will tell you that while the program seems daunting at first it really is worth it. Without a food safety program FDA can shut you down. You don’t have to go it alone! IPIA is here with a proven program ready to help.

I hope you can see the industry really does support each other. I urge you to come to the IPIA “Centennial” Conference this November 14-18, 2017 in Huntington Beach California. This is a special once in a lifetime event celebrating 100 years as an association. See what IPIA has to offer in training, networking, Food safety, and exhibits. Suppliers will be there with over 20,000 sq ft. of equipment on display and solutions to most of your problems. There will be a Historical display of “Ice industry” artifacts sponsored by The Ice World Journal, IPIA, and all of the regional associations. A tour of Cold Star Ice, a 370 ton/day ice plant with full robotic palletizing automation. An evening “Gala” to acknowledge Ice industry all-stars. A closing Chairman’s party California style, worthy of the “Surfs Up” title. So work hard this summer, plan early and attend this great “Centennial” celebration. See your industry’s past, find a solution to today’s issues and forge into the future. We’ve all come a long way and you deserve to celebrate your success with industry professionals. We have a common interest… Find and celebrate it this November!