Pour yourself a glass of nog and warm up by the Yule log. It’s the end of the year so I wrote these words to bring you cheer.

Associated Milk Producers Inc. announced today its president and CEO Ed Welch, resigned for personal reasons. Jim Wegner said he will retire in 2016 as President and CEO of the Northwest Dairy Association.
 

In its nearly 75-year history, The Dannon Co. has identified niches like digestive health and weight management and then developed yogurt-based solutions. Its stated mission, to bring health through food, starts with its employees and fans out across North America.

G.S. Gelato & Desserts is expanding its production capabilities and is building a 25,000-square-foot warehouse. Sargento Foods Inc. hired Jeremy Behler as Vice President of Strategic Analysis.
 

Swiss Valley Farms, the dairy cooperative based in Davenport, Iowa, said today it will invest $20.6 million to expand its cheese manufacturing facility in the northeast Iowa town of Luana. 

We strike up the band this month for our annual state of the dairy industry. While sales prospects have some processors whistling past the graveyard, others are whistling a happy tune. Here’s an assessment of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing dairy processors.

The International Dairy Foods Association, Washington, D.C., has opened registration for its popular Ice Cream Technology Conference, which will be held March 31-April 1, 2015, in St. Petersburg, Fla. 

Wells Enterprises and Kemps (a division of Dairy Farmers of America) received multiple gold and silver awards in the Golden Penguin Awards program

There is nothing wrong with respecting traditions and following practices that have proven to be successful. But for long-lasting success, regular doses of innovation (in product, processes and marketing) will help your company endure.