Americans eat about 46 slices of pizza each year according to market researcher Gitnux. At the heart of this is Leprino Foods, the world's largest mozzarella cheese producer. This family-owned company works in over 55 countries including a location in Allendale, MI that employs 320 hard-working people.
At Leprino Foods, quality is key. The company's slogan, "Leprino Quality is a way of life," was coined by Mike Leprino Sr. in 1950. It’s about improvement and good service. They know making the best food goes beyond a paycheck. Employees, too, know they feed millions of people. That’s why Leprino Foods hires people focused on quality, safety, growth and the customer.
All of these are central to Leprino Foods. The company hosts events, such as ice cream during Dairy Month in June, to celebrate and bring employees together. They also offer promotions, so their workers continue to be successful.
Bon Holliday had a career full of these. He started at Leprino Foods in Allendale at 19 and has been with them for 23 years. Five years into his career, Bon began a Production Management Trainee Program. Leprino then promoted Bon to Cheese Supervisor, moving him to the company’s largest location in Lemoore, California.
Two years later, Bon moved up again to Senior Supervisor. Even as he came back to Michigan, Leprino put him back in the Allendale facility. Bon then became plant manager. These promotions are just one reason Bon speaks highly of Leprino. “They invested in me and my future providing numerous learning opportunities to advance my career.”
Leprino Foods also focuses on sustainability. Their goal is to reduce their CO2 levels by 25% by 2030 and be greenhouse gas neutral by 2050. This means lowering water waste and using geothermal energy. Leprino Foods has also created a supplier pledge program to get partners involved in these efforts.
The company created the Leprino Foods Community Foundation in 2017. This helps the Michigan Honor Flight for veterans, the Hudsonville Little League, local food banks, charity organizations and more. It allows employees to help decide which local organizations Leprino Foods should support.
By chasing improvement, Leprino Foods leads the dairy industry while looking after its employees and the environment.