FFI MVP Series Workshop: Dedicated Facility vs. Co-Packer (July 2024)

In this workshop, you will learn how to develop your own dedicated production facility and/or work with a co-packer to produce the lowest cost possible, with the best quality, within food safety guidelines.

Topics Covered

Selecting / developing the right production model for your business, including:

• Shared use kitchens / manufacturing hubs
• Dedicated facilities
• Co-Packer

Agenda Timing

• • 9:00 – 9:30 AM – Check-in and Networking
  • 9:30 – 9:45 AM – Introductions & MVP Workshop Overview
  • 9:45 – 11:00 AM – Module / Session Content Presentations
  • 11:00 – 12:00 PM – Examples review, Q&A and wrap-up

About the Presenters

Stephen Diedrich, Consolidated Construction

Stephen Diedrich is Senior Vice President and Economic Development leader at Consolidated Construction. He joined Consolidated Construction in 2010 and oversees all risk management and project economic development assistance operations. He is a voting shareholder and serves on the company’s operations leadership team.

Prior to joining the company, Steve enjoyed a successful 25-year career as a commercial business lender. He was brought aboard Consolidated specifically to shepherd construction projects through private- and public-sector financing phases quickly. He uses his experience to understand the portfolios and project objectives of client companies, then guides business owners through the complexities of financing and raising capital to their optimal advantage. Steve has played an active role in securing funding for several of Consolidated’s largest clients, moving their projects through to construction quickly.

In 2018, Steve was appointed Vice President of Risk Management of Consolidated Construction. In addition to his economic development duties, he is also responsible for continuous improvement of corporate gross profit and net worth, and strengthening the company’s balance sheet, bonding position, and capacity. His active management of the company’s internal and external risk maximizes shareholder value and customer satisfaction.

Brad Rostowfske, Food Finance Institute

Brad is a uniquely qualified professional in the areas of innovation, new product development, marketing and engineering, with demonstrated accomplishments in consumer products brands and business to business new product development, marketing, engineering management, integrated systems design and cross functional management. He is recognized as a consumer- and customer-focused strategic marketer and engineer who delivers business results by leading, motivating and facilitating effective cross functional teams and organizational alignment to develop and launch innovative market- and manufacturing-based solutions.

Can’t make it to the workshop?

Check out our Deep Dive on-demand course.

About This Series

The MVP Series workshops focus on accounting, sales, marketing, and operations to help you scale and grow your business. These are provided through our Fellows Program, which is supported by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC).