AUSTIN, Minn. – Hormel Foods Corporation has recognized 65 suppliers with its 2010 Spirit of Excellence Award for contributing to the company’s continuous improvement process throughout 2010. All suppliers are from a variety of areas including contractors, pork procurement, provisions, ingredients, packaging and transportation.

“The Spirit of Excellence Awards recognize business partners that go above and beyond, making a positive impact on our business,” said Melanie Faust, director of purchasing. “It’s an honor to present these awards as a way to show our appreciation to these outstanding suppliers.”


Suppliers qualifying for the Spirit of Excellence Award maintained a minimum supplier rating index score of 92 throughout a 12-month period. This score is determined by a universal measurement system that began in 1990 to ensure each supplier is held to the same standards. Award criteria include meeting performance requirements, making on-time deliveries and providing high-level customer support.

Contractors — A.J. Lysne Contracting Corporation, East Penn Manufacturing, Environmental Land Management LLC, Fehr Solutions LLC, Fox Electric, G E LeBlanc Inc., Gleeson Constructors Inc., Hyster Company, The Joseph Company Inc., Kestner Electric Inc., Kofab, Lou Rich Inc., Multivac Inc., Rockwell Automation, Superior Companies of Minnesota Inc., Weber Inc., Werner Electric Supply and Van Meter Industrial Inc. and Wolf-Tec Inc.

Pork procurement — Blue River Pork, David Reuter, Donald Gildner, John Regier, Ken Winsel, Marzolf Swine Inc., New Fashion Pork, Paris Foods and Ron Nykamp.

Provisions — Fieldale Farms Corporation.

Purchasing — Airlite Plastics Co., American Fuji Seal Inc., Aramark Uniform Services, Ball Metal Food & Household Products Packaging, Bunzl Processor Division, Crown Cork & Seal Company Inc., Curwood Inc., Dickson Industries Inc., Ecolab Inc., Fastenal Company, Gamer Packaging Inc., Graphic Packaging International Inc., Hydrite Chemical Co., Ideal, Kalle USA Inc., Menasha Packaging Co. LLC, The Meyers Printing Companies Inc., Minnesota Corrugated Box Inc., Morton Salt Inc., Newly Weds Foods, Progressive Packaging Inc., Red Arrow Products Co. LLC, RR Donnelley, Sealed Air Corporation Cryovac Division – Bags & Film, Sensient Technologies Corporation, Silgan Containers, Smyth Companies Inc., Viscofan USA, Walter G. Anderson Inc. and xpedx

Transportation — Commercial Services, Decker Truck Line Inc., Dickey Transport Inc., Holiday Express Corporation, McFarland Truck Lines Inc., Midwest Coast Transport and Wenger Truck Line Inc.