Looking to technology and product innovation: California-based united food group looks to added-value items, research and development, and new equipment investments as the road to future success. (Plant Innovators).

"The absolute and most important goal of our company is to always produce the safest products possible," says Larry Cohen, president of United Food Group LLC, Vernon, CA. As the largest processor of ground beef under one roof, with a product list of approximately 350 different ground beef items,

"We believe that processors such as ourselves must continually meet the challenge of exploring and implementing any technology that can make the food that they produce safer for the ultimate consumer," says Cohen. United has a full service laboratory with two full time microbiologists who continuously monitor the raw materials, finished goods, and the production environment.

Besides innovating, the company makes every effort to buy only from suppliers consistently able to achieve the high level of performance demanded by its raw material specification. Operating as Moran's Ground Beef, Miller Meat Co., and Service Packing Co., United's primary products include fresh and frozen hamburger patties and fresh ground beef packaged in chubs and modified atmosphere. The company is also making strides with new value-added products such as beef taco and burrito fillings, and portion-cut steaks. This new business focus is a natural tie-in; its products can already be found in most major fast-food chains, casual dining establishments, and supermarket chains throughout the western United States.

"Our current business focus is on both expanding the breadth of our product line into more value-added items such as fully cooked and/or ready-to-cook items, as well as growing our portion control steak cutting operation," says Cohen. "We believe these to be potential growth areas for our company."

United Food Group started solely as a beef grinding facility manufacturing IQF patties and fresh chubs. The company then expanded into modified atmosphere packaged ground beef and fresh vacuum-packaged hamburger patties. Cooked beef items for both foodservice and retail followed. "The expansion into producing case-ready cuts and other further-processed items is part of our evolution, bringing us closer and closer to the ultimate consumer of our products," says Cohen. Adding value, both in terms of the actual products being offered and providing a very high degree of service, has proven to be beneficial for United's customers, consumers, and the company itself.

In 2001, United worked on improving operational efficiencies and reducing overall operating expenses. Over the course of the year, a new 30,000-square-foot production facility and freezer expansion was completed. A 40,000-square-foot warehouse was also acquired. Both of these projects have served in helping the company reduce costs and increase the level of customer service, while at the same time providing it with the possibility for future growth.

According to Todd Waldman, manager, the 150,000-square-foot facility is constantly in a state of improvement. "Over the course of the next year we plan on making improvements to the older production area," he says. Although the vast majority of the plant was built after 1995, a small portion was originally constructed approximately 25 years ago. "We currently plan on taking that older production area and improving it so that it rises to the same level, aesthetically and functionally, and operates as economically as the rest of the facility," says Waldman.

For the partners at United, deciding exactly which technology to implement, particularly in the area of food safety, is a major issue. "In our capacity as a ground beef processor we are exploring the possibility of offering irradiated hamburger patties, as well as exploring the possibility of using ozone on certain product contact surfaces," says Cohen. The company is also looking at treating beef trimmings with a new antimicrobial intervention using acidified sodium chlorite.

For United, the focus is on establishing long-term partnerships with its customers. "Our operational effectiveness is evaluated daily in terms of yield, gross, volume, labor hours, and by completed and on time deliveries," concludes Cohen.