Tater Talk

In this episode, we're excited to talk with Jeff Metzger about Continuous Improvement and our VeLOCity program here at Lamb Weston. Visit our website at https://tater-talk.transistor.fm/ and listen to learn more! Visit the link to let us know about other topics you'd like us to talk about on the show! https://forms.office.com/r/vYdvjXmKpP

Five takeaways:

1. VeLOCity Program: Continuous journey focused on eliminating losses and increasing employee knowledge and skills, ensuring ongoing efficiency and equipment performance improvements.
2. Implementation and Expansion: Started in late 2020 at American Falls, expanded to all fried plants in North America, and is going global.
3. Streamlined Processes and Ownership: Promotes multi-skilled technicians, reducing lag time and fostering ownership and responsibility.
4. Root Cause Analysis and Standardization: Emphasizes permanent problem-solving and standardization across plants for enhanced efficiency and reliability.
5. Restoration and Efficiency: Early phases led to significant equipment performance improvements, highlighting the importance of maintaining and restoring equipment to its base condition.

Want to learn more about our guest (and your hosts)?
Jeff Metzger | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-metzger-8a9a7711/
Rachael Bedell | https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-bedell-66335355/
Hailey Dugan | https://www.linkedin.com/in/hailey-dugan/

In this episode, we're excited to talk with Seth Shelton about Raw Storage here at Lamb Weston. Visit our website at https://tater-talk.transistor.fm/ and listen to learn more! Visit the link to let us know about other topics you'd like us to talk about on the show! https://forms.office.com/r/vYdvjXmKpP

Five takeaways:

1. Importance of Potato Storage: Proper storage is essential for maintaining a year-round supply of potatoes, involving meticulous preparation and maintenance to keep them in good condition.
2. Detailed Storage Process: This includes cleaning and prepping facilities, controlling air speed, humidity, and temperature, and managing variety-specific requirements to prevent shrinkage and maintain quality.
3. Suberizing Process: Ensures potatoes develop a strong skin set to prevent bruising, involving controlled humidity and temperature to maintain water content and minimize stress.
4. Shrinkage Management: Predicting and managing shrinkage is crucial, as it involves significant weight loss due to water content reduction, impacting the overall storage capacity.
5. Collaborative Efforts: Effective communication and teamwork among the Ag department and plant personnel are vital for efficient storage management and maintaining high product quality.

Want to learn more about our guest (and your hosts)?
Seth Shelton | https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelton2/
Rachael Bedell | https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-bedell-66335355/
Hailey Dugan | https://www.linkedin.com/in/hailey-dugan/

In this episode, we're excited to talk with Jake Henke about Grower Partnerships at Lamb Weston. Visit our website at https://tater-talk.transistor.fm/ and listen to learn more! Visit the link to let us know about other topics you'd like us to talk about on the show! https://forms.office.com/r/vYdvjXmKpP

Five takeaways:

1. Assured Supply: These partnerships ensure a consistent supply of potatoes through rolling three-year agreements, known as Evergreen agreements. This stability benefits both the growers and the company.
2. Raw Cost Advantage: By paying for the inputs to the crop and splitting the profits, the company gains a cost advantage on raw materials.
3. Development of New Varieties: Collaborating with farming partners allows for the development and testing of new potato varieties, optimizing best practices and ensuring cost efficiency.
4. Ensuring Plant Compatibility: It's essential to have the right potato varieties for the processing plants. This requires close collaboration with both the growers and the plant operations to ensure compatibility and efficiency.
5. Support for Family Farms: Most partners are family farms, which fosters a rewarding and supportive relationship, contributing to the growth and sustainability of these farms.

Want to learn more about our guest (and your hosts)?
Jake Henke | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-henke-9724b749/
Rachael Bedell | https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-bedell-66335355/
Hailey Dugan | https://www.linkedin.com/in/hailey-dugan/

In this episode, we're excited to talk with Dr. Thomas Drader about the Potato Varietal Program at Lamb Weston. Visit our website at https://tater-talk.transistor.fm/ and listen to learn more! Visit the link to let us know about other topics you'd like us to talk about on the show! https://forms.office.com/r/vYdvjXmKpP

Five takeaways:

1. Global Potato Development Program: Lamb Weston has a global potato development program, working with around 30 different potato breeders, primarily in North America and Western Europe.
2. Lock and Key System: The company uses a "lock and key" system to match potato varieties (keys) with their specific business needs (locks), such as growing conditions, storage requirements, and finished product characteristics.
3. Public and Private Breeding Partnerships: In North America, Lamb Weston collaborates with public breeders like universities and government agencies, while in Europe, they work with private breeders to develop suitable potato varieties.
4. Rigorous Testing and Selection: The company conducts rigorous testing and selection processes, evaluating over 100 new potato candidates globally each year, though most do not make it into their program.
5. Disease Resistance and Environmental Resilience: Developing disease-resistant potato varieties helps reduce dependence on management tools like pesticides, which can be costly and environmentally harmful. New potato varieties are being bred to withstand changing environmental conditions, such as temperature fluctuations and varying rainfall, making them more robust and adaptable.

Want to learn more about our guest (and your hosts)?
Dr. Thomas Drader | https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-drader-759571b0/
Rachael Bedell | https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-bedell-66335355/
Hailey Dugan | https://www.linkedin.com/in/hailey-dugan/

In this episode, we're excited to talk with Steve Bannworth about Potato Expertise at Lamb Weston. Visit our website at https://tater-talk.transistor.fm/ and listen to learn more! Visit the link to let us know about other topics you'd like us to talk about on the show! https://forms.office.com/r/vYdvjXmKpP

Five takeaways:

1. Agricultural challenges are universal, encompassing financial constraints and labor shortages, regardless of location.
2. Family farms are the cornerstone of U.S. agriculture, playing a vital role in the nation's agricultural landscape.
3. Lamb Weston partners globally for seed breeding and trials, enhancing their agricultural programs and ensuring top-quality potato production worldwide.
4. Lamb Weston collaborates with universities to breed seeds, starting from potato tissue and progressing through various phases, including field trials, to develop region-specific varieties.
5. Sustainability and innovation are essential for long-term productivity and meeting consumer demands, with continuous efforts to improve practices and highlight their importance.

Want to learn more about our guest (and your hosts)?
Steve Bannworth | https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-bannworth-49779629/
Rachael Bedell | https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-bedell-66335355/
Hailey Dugan | https://www.linkedin.com/in/hailey-dugan/

In this episode, we're excited to talk with Marc McCoy about Reliable Consistency at Lamb Weston. Visit our website at https://tater-talk.transistor.fm/ and listen to learn more! Visit the link to let us know about other topics you'd like us to talk about on the show! https://forms.office.com/r/vYdvjXmKpP

Five takeaways:

1. Global Network: Our extensive network of 8,000 supply chain members ensures seamless operations across all our facilities in the US and worldwide, delivering premium products daily.
2. Technological Advancements: Cutting-edge technology enables us to continuously refine and optimize our processes, ensuring top-notch efficiency and quality.
3. Consistent Quality: The introduction of new product varieties allows us to maintain exceptional quality consistently throughout the year.
4. Rigorous Quality Control: Our lab technicians and supervisors conduct stringent quality checks every 15 to 20 minutes, meticulously reviewing products to meet customer specifications and making necessary adjustments.
5. Pride in Excellence: Our dedicated team leaders and members at each plant take immense pride in producing high-quality products for our valued customers.

Want to learn more about our guest (and your hosts)?
Marc McCoy | https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-mccoy-a635549/
Rachael Bedell | https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-bedell-66335355/
Hailey Dugan | https://www.linkedin.com/in/hailey-dugan/

Did you know? March 22 is World Water Day -- Listen to this podcast to gear up for the day and learn about some of the sustainable initiatives we have at Lamb Weston to conserve water! In this episode, we're excited to talk with Ian Toevs about our Sustainable Commitment at Lamb Weston. Visit our website at https://tater-talk.transistor.fm/ and listen to learn more! Visit the link to let us know about other topics you'd like us to talk about on the show! https://forms.office.com/r/vYdvjXmKpP

Five takeaways:

1. Innovative Water Heating: Lamb Weston has transitioned to Pulse Electric Field (PEF) technology for water preheating, significantly reducing water and energy consumption while enhancing product quality and recovery.
2. Water Reclamation: Over the past 7-8 years, we've implemented water reclamation processes, treating and reusing water within our plants to promote sustainability.
3. Maximizing Resources: We utilize every part of the potato, converting byproducts like peels and scraps into cattle feed. We also capture and reprocess starch from our cutting systems, which we then blend back into our products.
4. Biodegradable Packaging: In collaboration with local universities, we are developing biodegradable packaging from potato peels, contributing to environmental conservation.
5. Community Impact: Everyone can contribute to water and energy conservation, whether at home, in the office, or anywhere else. Small actions collectively make a significant difference.

Want to learn more about our guest (and your hosts)?
Ian Toevs | https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-toevs-p-e-94326090/
Rachael Bedell | https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-bedell-66335355/
Hailey Dugan | https://www.linkedin.com/in/hailey-dugan/

In this episode, we're excited to talk with Fred Webb about our Extensive Footprint. Visit our website at https://www.lambweston.com/about/prem... and listen to learn more! Visit the link to let us know about other topics you'd like us to talk about on the show! https://forms.office.com/r/vYdvjXmKpP

Five takeaways:

1. From Hydraulics to High-Tech: We've turbocharged our facilities, swapping out old-school hydraulics for sleek, efficient automation controls. Less operator hassle, more futuristic vibes!
2. Blueprints with a Twist: Our plant-building blueprints are like a choose-your-own-adventure book. We adapt to regional quirks, availability, and support needs to create the perfect fit.
3. Engineers' Wonderland: Our factories are like Disneyland for engineers—packed with cutting-edge tech and endless possibilities for innovation.
4. Team Effort: Building our facilities is a team sport. Everyone plays a crucial role in making them a smashing success.
5. Global Groove: We're a global powerhouse, and cross-functional collaboration is our jam. Everyone's encouraged to explore new roles, learn fresh skills, and tackle exciting challenges.

Want to learn more about our guest (and your hosts)?
Fred Webb | https://www.linkedin.com/in/fred-webb-1a293b89/
Rachael Bedell | https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-bedell-66335355/
Hailey Dugan | https://www.linkedin.com/in/hailey-dugan/

In this episode, we're excited to talk with Donny Krautscheid about our Potato Accessibility at Lamb Weston. Visit our website at https://www.lambweston.com/about/prem... and listen to learn more! Visit the link to let us know about other topics you'd like us to talk about on the show! https://forms.office.com/r/vYdvjXmKpP

Top five takeaways:

1. The Big Pile Theory: Discover how our diverse fields support production across all facilities, ensuring we meet our customers' needs every time. 
2. Potato "Hotels": Learn why we call our storages "hotels" and not "hospitals" and how we maximize the effective use of potatoes throughout the season.
3. Quality Samples Galore: From field to storage to production, find out how our various quality samples help us make the best decisions for our potatoes. 
4. Core Fundamentals: Hear about our commitment to teaching team members and partner growers the essentials of quality and food safety, while embracing technological advancements. 
5. Future Planning: Get insights into our three-year crop planning process and how we forecast and ramp up seed for new varieties to meet customer demands. 

Want to learn more about our guest (and your hosts)?
Donny Krautscheid | https://www.linkedin.com/in/donny-krautscheid-4769517a/
Rachael Bedell | https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-bedell-66335355/
Hailey Dugan | https://www.linkedin.com/in/hailey-dugan/

At Lamb Weston, we know we offer Premium and that's why we've developed Our Premium Promise. In this episode, we're excited to talk with Amy DiPietro and Brandon McMurdie about our Premium Partners. Visit our website at https://www.lambweston.com/about/premium-promise.html and listen to learn more! Visit the link to let us know about other topics you'd like us to talk about on the show! https://forms.office.com/r/vYdvjXmKpP

Five takeaways:
1. As an organization, we put our customers first and will do what it takes to ensure our customers will be serviced

2. There are never ending layers of resources to give our customers an unexpected level of service

3. Our direct sales force are the voice of our customer

4. We spend a lot of time of educating the customer on how we are a premium partner (who is Lamb Weston and what do you get with being a customer) 

5. We should take pride that as a company we all come together to ensure our customers are taken care of. 

Want to learn more about our guests (and your hosts)?
Amy DiPietro | https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-dipietro-37a394108/
Brandon McMurdie | https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-m-400b50204/
Rachael Bedell | https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-bedell-66335355/
Hailey Dugan | https://www.linkedin.com/in/hailey-dugan/