GMA Board Approves Merger with FPA
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. -- The Grocery Manufacturers Association's board of directors gave the green light over the weekend to the trade association's proposed merger with another trade group, the Food Products Association.
The vote took place during GMA's Executive Conference here. Attendees said the yes vote was widely expected. It paves the way for a for general membership votes at the two organizations this summer, which are also expected to support the deal.
The next step then is to consummate the merger, which as of January 2007 will create a new organization with 300 member companies from every sector of the food, beverage, and consumer products industry, in an era of industry consolidation. The merger is intended to combine the GMA's expertise in government affairs and burgeoning efforts at trade relations, with FPA's expertise in food science and processing technology.
The new association will be called GMA/FPA for the first year, then will drop the FPA. It will also have at its chief administrator Cal Dooley, FPA's current president and c.e.o. As planned, GMA's longtime president and c.e.o. C. Manly Molpus will retire at the end of the year.
Molpus was recognized at the conference as the winner of the trade group's 2006 Hall of Achievement award. GMA said it has also created an annual scholarship fund in honor of Molpus.
The vote took place during GMA's Executive Conference here. Attendees said the yes vote was widely expected. It paves the way for a for general membership votes at the two organizations this summer, which are also expected to support the deal.
The next step then is to consummate the merger, which as of January 2007 will create a new organization with 300 member companies from every sector of the food, beverage, and consumer products industry, in an era of industry consolidation. The merger is intended to combine the GMA's expertise in government affairs and burgeoning efforts at trade relations, with FPA's expertise in food science and processing technology.
The new association will be called GMA/FPA for the first year, then will drop the FPA. It will also have at its chief administrator Cal Dooley, FPA's current president and c.e.o. As planned, GMA's longtime president and c.e.o. C. Manly Molpus will retire at the end of the year.
Molpus was recognized at the conference as the winner of the trade group's 2006 Hall of Achievement award. GMA said it has also created an annual scholarship fund in honor of Molpus.