CHARLOTTE, NC — It was two years in the making. But after virtually accepting the gavel via Zoom in 2020, Rob Sarlls, president and CEO of Marion, OH-based Wyandot Snacks and SNAC International chairman of the board, called to order SNAXPO 2021, taking place Aug. 22-24. The show was canceled last year and postponed this year from its originally scheduled March date, both due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s been too long since we last gathered as an industry,” Sarlls said as he declared SNAXPO’s opening. “It feels good to once again be with colleagues and celebrate this industry. SNAC International’s vision is to connect the snack industry to create growth and opportunity, and the singular purpose of this meeting is to do exactly that.”
The event’s first order of business was participating in the long-honored tradition of the association’s Circle of Honor award. This year, the inductee was Barry Levin, CEO of City of Industry, CA-based Snak King.
Levin was nominated by industry peers and voted on by the SNAC board of directors for his commitment to the growth and development of the snack industry and SNAC International.
Levin grew up working in his family-owned distribution business and has been no stranger to hard work. At 21, he joined Snak King, which at the time operated with just two other employees in a 1,200 square-foot facility with decades-old fryer and a packaging machine just as old.
He acquired the company a few years later, and with mentorship from association member companies such as Wyandot, Levin was able to improve his processes and product, and has worked since then to give back to the snack community.
“I knew I’d remain a member of the Snack Food Association and continue to increase my network of knowing people I can rely on and hopefully help out someday.”
“We have a responsibility to our companies, but we also have a responsibility to each other,” Levin said. “The camaraderie and friendship are key to working together and making sure we all put out quality product.”
Snak King experienced exponential growth over the years, but in 2004, the company experienced a devastating setback when the roof of its City of Industry facility collapsed.
The company survived the disaster and the three long years of rebuilding its plant, thanks to the support of his industry colleagues and supplier partners. Snak King came out of the disaster stronger than ever, operating in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.
“It was a new beginning for us,” Levin recalled.
Known to his company as a servant leader, Levin has a reputation for his involvement on the plant floor and with every employee.
“I’m so fortunate to work with such a talented and innovative group of people every day,” Levin said. “They inspire me, and they challenge me. And we learn from each other.”
Levin is also known for his involvement in the industry at tradeshows and other events where he’s constantly collecting intelligence and inspiration from any snack available on the market.
“We have a responsibility to our companies, but we also have a responsibility to each other,” Levin said. “The camaraderie and friendship are key to working together and making sure we all put out quality product.”
Levin attributed his Circle of Honor achievement to the SNAC International community, the team at Snak King and his family.
“This award is for all of us,” he said.
