According to perishablenews.com, the American Bakers Association (ABA) launched its new Global Supply Chain & Logistics Professionals Group on April 22, 2026. The initiative merges the former Commodity and Agricultural Policy Professionals Group and Logistics Professionals Group into a single, integrated forum representing the full baking industry supply chain — from raw ingredient sourcing to finished-product delivery.
Strategic Integration for End-to-End Coordination
The consolidation advances ABA’s Strategic Plan goals and brings together leaders across commodities, procurement, and logistics to confront multifaceted challenges: agricultural market volatility, global trade dynamics, distribution bottlenecks, and evolving regulatory requirements. ABA members represent all facets of the supply chain supporting the consistent, safe delivery of high-quality baked goods to U.S. families. With more than 350 member companies operating over 1,200 commercial baking facilities, the association leverages broad industry reach to strengthen operational efficiency, improve cross-functional coordination, and ensure continuity amid rapid market shifts.
Leadership Vision and Core Priorities
The group is co-chaired by Ahmet Hepdogan, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain & Procurement of Dawn Food Products, Inc., and Hakim R. Savoy, Chief Supply Chain Officer of C.H. Guenther. Both emphasize interconnectivity and practical problem-solving:
“By uniting these two critical groups, we are strengthening our ability to address the full scope of supply chain challenges facing the baking industry today,” said Ahmet Hepdogan, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain & Procurement of Dawn Food Products, Inc., and co-chair of the Global Supply Chain & Logistics Professionals Group. “From ingredient sourcing to delivery of the finished products, this group creates a more coordinated approach to improving efficiency and building resilience across the supply chain.”
“This combined group reflects how interconnected our supply chain truly is,” said Hakim R. Savoy, Chief Supply Chain Officer of C.H. Guenther, and co-chair of the Global Supply Chain & Logistics Professionals Group. “Bringing together expertise across agriculture and logistics allows us to better anticipate challenges, develop practical solutions, and ensure baked goods continue to reach consumers safely and reliably.”
Key focus areas include:
- Commodity transportation
- Market volatility mitigation
- Supply chain alignment across tiers
- Sustainability integration
- Technology innovation adoption
The group will also serve as a central conduit for ABA’s advocacy efforts with Congress and federal agencies on these issues. As Rasma Zvaners, Vice President of Government Relations of ABA, stated:
“The formation of this group is a strategic step forward for our industry,” said Rasma Zvaners, Vice President of Government Relations of ABA. “A strong, resilient supply chain is essential to feeding America, and this group will ensure our members have a unified voice in shaping policies and solutions that support long-term success.”
The Global Supply Chain & Logistics Professionals Group is open to all ABA Member company employees and convenes throughout the year via in-person and virtual meetings to share insights, inform policy positions, and co-develop actionable solutions. Founded in 1897, ABA is the largest and most established trade association for the U.S. commercial baking industry. In 2025, it earned Great Place To Work® Certification — reinforcing its internal culture as a driver of external industry excellence.
Source: perishablenews.com
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
