The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) is embarking upon a process to strategically redesign the organization to keep pace with the rapid change and issues the industry is experiencing. Some of the process has already begun, according to AFIA President-elect Joel Newman, who officially replaces outgoing Chief Executive Officer David Bossman at the end of 2004.
"We've started building a bridge which will lead to a streamlined and even more responsive industry leader," Newman says. "We are looking at what AFIA does best and at constantly improving upon it."
AFIA plans to evaluate all of its programs and activities and reposition them based on membership demand and the cost effectiveness of providing those services.
"We'll maintain a continuous process of making decisions on services based on understanding and anticipation of the changing requirements of our membership," Newman stated.
The newly formed Integrator Council is a good example of AFIA's responsiveness to change. AFIA is working closely with the industry segment, gaining its input, ideas and participation. This is one step toward development of a "flexible structure" which Newman considers essential in adapting to members" changing needs.
The AFIA Board of Directors voted unanimously last month to approve the Integrator Council. Over 20 integrated producers have joined as charter members, representing eight of the nation's 10 largest poultry producers, as well as the largest pork and beef producers in the U.S.
AFIA will continue its aggressive leadership role in the food safety arena. "Maintaining a safe feed segment within our food industry structure is vital. We'll be raising our own bar even higher with AFIA's new Safe Feed/Safe Food initiative and doing more to educate key audiences on the safety, reliability and integrity of our system," Newman asserts.
AFIA's president-elect outlined five priorities in the overall strategy to streamline the associationÕs activities. These include:
• Providing a leadership role in representing the industry's interests on legislative and regulatory issues;
• Implementing the Safe Feed/Safe Food Leadership program;
• Representing the needs of a more diverse industry, including integrated producers;
• Providing a forum for industry to meet on common issues and to network; and
• Providing a platform of services with tangible value that enhances the success of our member companies.
AFIA will rely on member feedback as a significant part of its streamlining process.
"We'll be calling on our members for input and recommendations, both from individual company positions as well as "collective" input from our councils, committees and board of directors," Newman stated. "The entire membership will be encouraged to get involved in positioning the future of the association."
AFIA expects to complete its redesign process by December 2005.
"This is truly an invigorating and busy time for the industry and its association," Newman said. "We are in a transition period which, in itself, offers many opportunities. AFIA plans to make the most of this exciting situation."
AFIA's incoming CEO is a veteran of 30 years of diverse agribusiness career experience, most recently with United Cooperative Farmers which operates three feed plants and serves dairy and poultry customers throughout New England. He also worked for six years with Maple Leaf Foods and 23 years with Agway, Inc.
AFIA is the only national trade association devoted exclusively to representing the interests of the animal feed industry and its suppliers. Membership includes animal and aqua feed and pet food manufacturers, ingredient manufacturers and suppliers, equipment manufacturers, and companies that supply goods and services to those agricultural sectors. AFIA's nearly 600 corporate members manufacture 75 percent of the nation's primary commercial feed.