Third Annual Readers' Choice Awards

THIRD TIME'S A CHARM? Control systems: Rockwell Extrusion: Wenger Flowmeters: MicroMotion/Emerson Pumps: Waukesha Cherry-Burrell/SPX Size Reduction: Urschel Uniforms: Cintas

“We’re honored to be recognized as the preferred extrusion supplier by the readers of Food Processing,” says Doug Baldwin, director of sales and marketing at Wenger Manufacturing Inc., Kansas City, Mo. “To be awarded this distinction for the third year in a row is very flattering, and is really a testament to the continued dedication of the Wenger family and employees, whose commitment to excellence has allowed Wenger to remain an industry leader for more than 50 years.”

Being around a long time helps. “We’ve had some customers for many years, and they provide some of the best referrals to our new customers,” observes Rick Urschel, corporate secretary and next leader of Urschel Laboratories Inc., Valparaiso, Ind. Urschel has been building size reduction equipment since 1910. “This also could easily become a commodity business if not for the quality we build into our machines, some of which have been in the field since the 1930s.”

"Accolades from our customers are the highest honor to receive. These individuals know the capabilities of a variety of technologies and vendors,” notes Gene Shanahan, president of the Micro Motion div. of Emerson Process Management, winner of the flow measurement category. “We have been very focused on listening to our customers in the food and beverage industry in designing our products and services to meet their needs and exceed their expectations.”

Uniform services is a business in which you may see your customers more than once a week. "Being named 'Best in Business' three years in a row speaks volumes about our employee-partners' commitment to customer satisfaction," says Scott Farmer, Cintas president/CEO. "The recognition reflects our culture and steadfast commitment to maximizing the long-term value of Cintas for every customer across North America."

The other winners

Vendors were not the only winners in this year’s Readers’ Choice Awards. We offered $100 American Express gift certificates as an incentive to answering the survey. Winners of these certificates are: Martin Amador of Ruiz Foods, Ed Francis of General Mills, Doug Herweyer of Dean Foods, Jack Cornelius of American Beverage Corp. and K. K. Mui of Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream.

Editor's Note: To access the complete list of winners, including both Equipment and Ingredient Suppliers, please click "Download Now" below.