Senate Resolution No. 2970

BY: Senator KENNEDY

COMMEMORATING the 75th Anniversary of Rich
Products of Buffalo, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor those
businesses within the State of New York which distinguish themselves
through outstanding professional behavior, corporate innovation, and
enduring commitment to the community; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Rich Products of Buffalo, New York;
and

WHEREAS, Rich Products was born in 1954, when its founder Robert E.
Rich, Sr. created the world's first non-dairy whipped topping; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, Rich Products has paved the way,
pioneering many of the food industry's most game-changing products, as
well as setting and resetting a new benchmark of success; and

WHEREAS, In 1954, Rich Products debuted its chocolate eclair, the
first frozen, ready-to-eat bakery product in the market; five years
later, the nation's first non-dairy creamer hit supermarkets, bringing
Rich's into American households; and

WHEREAS, Growing rapidly, Rich Products extended into Fort Erie,
Ontario, Canada, marking the company's first international expansion in
1963, with Bob Rich, Jr. leading the new Canadian business; and

WHEREAS, In 1969, Rich Products entered the bakery business with the
acquisition of Elm Tree Frozen Foods, and in 1976, it acquired SeaPak
Shrimp & Seafood Company, along with nine production facilities across
several states; and

WHEREAS, With the launch of Bettercreme icing in 1978, Rich Products
revolutionized the cake decorating industry; during this time, Bob Rich,
Jr. was promoted to President and its Farm Rich mozzarella sticks became
the first appetizer brand available in grocery stores; and

WHEREAS, This extraordinary business then diversified its immense
portfolio in an entirely new direction with the purchase of the Buffalo
Bisons baseball team in 1983; and

WHEREAS, In 1988, Rich Products formed an International Division led
by Bill Gisel to fuel its global expansion, and technologies were
licensed to markets in Japan, Europe and Australia; and

WHEREAS, The 1980s and 1990s brought tremendous growth to Rich
Products with its acquisition of Casa Di Bertacchi Corporation and
Byron's Bar-B-Q, adding frozen Italian pasta, meat and barbecue to its
portfolio; Rich's also entered the finished desserts business with the
purchase of Jon Donaire Desserts; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, the company expanded once again with the grand
opening of its Buffalo, New York World Headquarters and Research and
Development Center, as well as new joint ventures in Mexico, South
Africa and India; and

WHEREAS, With 2,000 global associates and a growing leadership team,
Rich Products Mexico launched Tres Riches, an innovative, non-dairy
three-milk syrup ready to take desserts to the next level; also during
this time, the Rich Family Center opened as the first corporate on-site
day care of its kind in Western New York to help support working
families; and

WHEREAS, Entering the 21st Century with revenues exceeding 1.3
billion dollars, Rich Products' first wholly-owned international
non-dairy production facility opened in Suzhou, China, and its product
line and manufacturing capabilities expanded to Europe with the
acquisition of David Powell Baker in Fareham, UK; and

WHEREAS, After the death of Robert E. Rich, Sr. in 2006, Bob Rich,
Jr. became Chairman and Bill Gisel was named President and CEO; under
their able leadership, Rich Products continued expanding its global
presence by opening a new non-dairy plant in Vietnam; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to its
employees, Rich Products launched its first-ever affinity group, Our
Women's Network (OWN), dedicated to supporting and advancing women and
paving the way for diversity; and

WHEREAS, Through the years, Rich Products went on to purchase JW
Allen & Co., Celebration Foods, Flavorite, Dorgel LTD, Elistan Foods,
Goglanian Bakeries Inc., f'real foods LLC, and entered into a joint
venture with Twin Star Bakery; in 2014, the Innovation Center and Atrium
at Rich's opened at the company's world headquarters in Buffalo; and

WHEREAS, That same year, Rich Products established its Health and
Authenticity focus as consumer demand for food transparency, authentic,
cleaner ingredients, and better-for-you food options continued to rise;
and

WHEREAS, Rich Products then welcomed Artisan Breads, Jacqueline's
Gourmet Cookies and Venice Bakery to the family, expanding its bread,
cookie, plant-based and gluten-free pizza offerings, respectively; and

WHEREAS, Today, under the able leadership of its fourth President
Richard Ferranti, Rich Products operates in more than 100 countries with
an annual revenue of four billion dollars and 11,000 associates
worldwide; and

WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body
acknowledges Rich Products' success, recognizes its contributions to the
local and State economies, and extends its highest commendation to the
corporation and its employees, fully confident that, in its future, it
will enjoy the same success which has so characterized its past; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Rich Products of Buffalo, New York;
and be it further


RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Richard Ferranti, President, Rich Products.