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In the words of our judges
“Fourth-generation leaders Ben and Ashli have revitalized the company by blending a commitment to sustainability with a family-first culture, fueling exceptional growth and securing Standard Meat’s legacy as an industry trailblazer.”
Ashli Blumenfeld and Ben Rosenthal are carving a prime path to the future for Standard Meat Company (SMC), working to keep the family business a cut above the competition. The two co-presidents and siblings represent the fourth generation of Rosenthals to helm the 89-year-old company, a top supplier of meat portioning and packaging to the global food service and retail industries.
Blumenfeld and Rosenthal are skillfully leading SMC in an industry that feeds on ingenuity to meet demand in a world hungry for quality. They have continued the family’s tradition of innovation through the early adoption of sous vide cooking technology (now a major growth driver), an industry-leading cast-iron searing approach to meat preparation and the strategic entry into the burgeoning meal-kit delivery space.
Since assuming their leadership positions six years ago, the siblings have blazed a new way forward. In addition to reacquiring family ownership of the company, they invested in four new major product lines and beefed up SMC’s revenue — even during the pandemic. Expanding the client base by entering the fast-casual and quick-service restaurant spaces further fueled the company’s growth.
Unlike some competitors, SMC’s financial strategy is focused on sustainable growth over immediate yields, which has contributed to the company’s financial health. This empowers the family to continuously invest in both operational resources and SMC’s people while delivering returns to shareholders.
Blumenfeld and Rosenthal’s leadership is also fueling the company’s ongoing commitment to “people, product and the planet.” Sustainable environmental, social and governance practices, as well as efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion, remain priorities. And with this multidimensional focus rounding out a holistic business approach, Standard Meat Company is redefining the industry’s standard for how to pursue and achieve success.