Neil sits down with Ed Ruff at the 69th Annual SMA Convention to discuss the history and evolution of Ruff's family-owned meat business, established in 1928. The discussion covers topics such as the importance of the SMA organization, family traditions in meat production, the impact of regulation changes like HACCP, and the role of next-generation involvement. Ed also shares personal stories from the Great Depression era and insights into his family's resilience. The episode emphasizes the sense of community within SMA and the critical support from suppliers and industry experts.

Topics

01:24 History of the Company

01:44 SMA: A Family-Like Organization

02:01 Personal Stories and Experiences

04:07 Company Products and Operations

06:03 Challenges and Changes in the Industry

10:02 Regulatory Environment and Advocacy

16:26 Family Business Dynamics

23:10 Reflections and Closing Remarks