SMITHFIELD, Va., June 01, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfield Foods, Inc. is pleased to announce that Paul Kafer, vice president of engineering, has been named the 2017 Operations Executive of the Year by MEAT+POULTRY magazine. The annual award is presented to an industry professional who demonstrates dedication to pursuing operational excellence and providing leadership to others while delivering innovative solutions.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/04b8dc66-6ab2-4b76-9bbd-1721534c44dd
“Paul’s innovative approach to his job throughout his career and his ability to successfully lead teams to accomplish goals and complete major projects make him the ideal recipient of MEAT+POULTRY’s Operations Executive Award for 2017,” said Joel Crews, editor for MEAT+POUTRY. “Each year, we interview hundreds of executives looking for the movers and shakers in this industry. This year, Paul’s name was always a topic of conversation, and for that reason we’re proud to recognize him and his entire team at Smithfield.”
The award recognizes Kafer for his expansive contributions to the meat and poultry processing industry, including his role in establishing a state-of-the-art plant for Shuanghui Development in Zhengzhou, China, which opened last year. Kafer’s leadership in implementing advanced technologies such as automation and augmented reality also stood out to this year’s award selection committee.
“I am honored to receive this award and stand among the many before me who have dedicated their careers to create more efficient and safe facilities for the future,” said Kafer. “This award reflects Smithfield’s company-wide commitment to operational excellence and innovation. I’d also like to give a special thank you to my entire team for their continued hard work and dedication.”
In his role with Smithfield, Kafer leads a team of engineers and provides technical expertise to improve process and plant design, refrigeration, utilities, automation and controls, construction management, and infrastructure. He also provides direction to various teams, reviews capital projects and oversees a broad range of special projects including pilot line testing, facility renovations and new construction.
Kafer earned a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from Clarkson University and a master of business administration degree in industrial management from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He joined Smithfield Foods in 1998 through Smithfield’s acquisition of North Side Foods.
Joel Crews, editor for MEAT+POULTRY, recently presented the award to Kafer during a visit to Smithfield’s headquarters in Smithfield, Virginia. Kafer will be formally recognized as the award winner in the July issue of MEAT+POULTRY magazine.
About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is a $15 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including SmithfieldⓇ, EckrichⓇ, Nathan's FamousⓇ, FarmlandⓇ, ArmourⓇ, John MorrellⓇ, Cook'sⓇ, KretschmarⓇ, GwaltneyⓇ, Curly'sⓇ, MargheritaⓇ, CarandoⓇ, Healthy OnesⓇ, KrakusⓇ, MorlinyⓇ and BerlinkiⓇ. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com.