plant management

Because Bo Jackson’s life is public, his products are under a magnifying glass even more than other private labels.

is produced, or where the ingredients came from. So it is important to be transpar- ent. Period.” he said, adding, “Then you add in the fact that I am celebrity, well, that is another level of complex- ity that only others in my gram under my private label; shoes can understand.” we are in the midst of rolling Because his life is public, out the program and have cho- Jackson’s products are under sen several community tie-ins a magnifying glass even more related to two sectors: military than other private labels, and veterans and school-based nu- they are compared to other tritional programs, both from a celebrity-created or celebrity- national and local perspective.” endorsed products. “The one Jackson’s company requires difference about my food line a lot from its suppliers. “I have versus other products I have personally visited each and ev- endorsed over the last 30 years, ery one of my suppliers’ plants is that I personally worked with and their corporate offices and our manufacturers to create Bo Jackson met, not only their executives, new innovative products that but everyone from shipping to I wanted to create, or chosen Signature Foods QC to the CEO and everyone blends that made sense for my in between, which is just as im- brand,” he said. hen you’ve been produce a quality product for portant to me as the number of As such, he is not simply “en- named ESPN’s Great- my Bo Jackson Signature Foods audits and/or certifications that dorsing” other people’s prod- West Athlete of All line, but that they also have the they have passed or have. I want ucts, he said, he “created” his Time, and you decide to put similar business ethics as we do to know who they are as busi- products. “It was a labor of love, your name on a product, you at VEJ Holdings,” Jackson said. ness people; do they have the from the ideation stage to proto- want to ensure that it is of a Jensen Meat of San Diego, Ca- same principals or ethics that I typing to bench samples to final caliber worthy of that name — lif., for example, “has a very ro- have,” he said. production samples, and then not only in quality and taste, bust sustainability policy and is Jackson strongly believes every call or meeting thereafter.” but also in sustainability. How shown in multiple facets of their that customers care about the When asked what the maxim do you do that? Bo knows. (For company,” he said. sustainability of the company’s “One World. One Health. One more on Bo Jackson’s personal Additionally, having spent product, processes and/or sup- Future.” means to his company, attention to products on which the last 30 years giving back ply chain. “In fact, with the ad- Jackson said, “As a celebrity, as he puts his name, see QA’s cov- to the community, he said, vances of technology, to include a family man, and as an entre- er profile, Bo Knows Meat at “Philanthropy is not only a the Internet, customers are so preneur, it is important that the http://bit.ly/2m9C1Q6.) part of our company, much more engaged in legacy that I leave goes far be- “It is extremely important but it is a part of looking up the ingre- yond what I did on the baseball to me and my team that all of me. We decided dients that are used or football fields. ‘One World. our manufacturer partners not to create a social in specific products, One Health. One Future’ — only have the capabilities to responsibility pro- where the product now that is six powerful words

26 January/February 2018 QA qualityassurancemag.com plant management

and that is related to what I have expensive route or even that tomers who are looking for sus- lenge of doing what we did an said many times, ‘Set your goals which others would take. “In tainable solutions grow, and that hour ago even better the next high, and don’t stop till you get my life, it isn’t even possible for is at the top of everyone’s mind time, because someone else with there.’” It is the company’s man- me not to think of life as One who is a part of the Bo Jack- another company and/or brand tra every time it hits a roadblock World. One Health. One Fu- son Signature Food brand, he has already improved upon what in staying true to its core values, ture,” he said. said. “That is one of the reasons we just did and is challenging us which are not always the least Every day the number of cus- I enjoy what I do: It is the chal- to be better or to do more.”

Jensen Meat said. “It’s a real win-win for JENSEN MEAT PRODUCES BO JACKSON’S ranchers and conservation as LINE OF BEEF BURGERS, BO’S BURGERS. well as our customers, who get “Sustainability is ultimately about making great-tasting beef they can feel more efficient use of resources, and cutting extra good about consuming.” waste — not only for the good of the earth Jensen sees a rapidly growing and society, it’s also good business practice,” group of consumers looking to said Jensen Meat President and CEO Abel Ol- buy sustainable solutions, and it ivera. “We try to be strategic about how we expects them to read labels, ask do this, so that our company can do its part Jensen measures its sustainability actions questions about what’s in its within the larger picture of our children’s and success through key indicators. patties, and use the Internet to future and the planet they’re going compare products. As such, the to inherit.” her two-hour commute and sponsored company promotes its sustain- Recycling is an obvious part of events. It’s a tangible silent way we ability actions to consumers through some Jensen’s sustainability initiatives, show our commitment to environmen- of its Green Marketing on product packaging, but there are others that affect tal sustainability,” he said. advertising, social media, etc. “We believe the company, such as employee The company measures its sustain- in transparency and in giving them all the engagement, supply chain practices, ability actions and success through information they need so they can make in- operational efficiency, resource con- key indicators, including reduction of formed decisions about what they purchase sumption and waste, philanthropy, operating costs and increased asset and ultimately feed their families,” Olivera packaging, and facility design. When Jensen value; water and energy conservation; safe, said. “We look to see how we can provide renovated and moved into a new facility, it healthy, and productive work environments; them with environmentally superior products asked its marketing company, Designapolis, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; and and a greater view of our company’s envi- to translate the Bo’s Burgers brand to the reduced waste sent to landfills. ronmental impact.” offices. “Wherever possible, they consid- Jensen also ensures its own suppliers Additionally, he said, “We do it because ered environmental consciousness into the follow sustainability practices. For example, we believe it’s the ethical thing to do; yet sourcing, design, and production decisions with the growing demand in the U.S. for we’re careful because customers are smart they made,” Olivera said. For example, to grass-fed beef, Jensen conducted a great and can smell ‘Greenwash.’ Some of our reduce indoor pollution, low VOC paint was deal of research, then partnered with Mon- products come in packaging that uses an used for the office walls; FLOR tiles, which tana’s non-profit American Prairie Reserve environmental friendly green color and says are made from 100% recycled fibers and are (APR). Through APR, Jensen helps support ‘grass-fed, grass-finished and hormone-free,’ 95% manufactured in the U.S., were used wildlife-friendly ranching and large-scale but at the end of the day, it’s about giving to reduce the carbon footprint of importing conservation while being provided with ac- shoppers what they want. It’s not just about products from overseas. cess to domestic, naturally-raised, grass-fed using the latest buzzwords because that Another example of Jensen’s initiatives is beef for its restaurants, retail outlets, and alone won’t make it environmentally or Green Marketing & Reduced Motor Vehicle food distributors. socially responsible and our customers will Pollution: To emphasize its commitment to “Jensen’s business model thrives on trans- know this,” he explained. sustainability, the company added a brand- parency — from the ranch to consumers’ “Ultimately, sustainability is about adding wrapped, cutting-edge electric Toyota Prius tables, so working with ranchers dedicated value to our business with people, planet, to its fleet. “Dubbed the Jensenmobile, our to raising non-grain-fed, steroid-free cattle and sound business decisions in mind,” VP of executive accounts drives it daily in in the Great Plains is a natural fit,” Olivera Olivera said.

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