ATCHISON, Kan., August 10, 2011— MGP Ingredients, Inc. (MGPI) has announced the recent appointment of Mark Kocour as plant manager of the company’s Onaga, Kan., facility.  His principal responsibility is overseeing all day-to-day operations at the facility, where MGPI produces plant-based biopolymers for use in the manufacture of eco-friendly plastic-like products, as well as wood composite resins for use in creating such items as decking materials and furniture parts.

“Mark’s diverse professional experience at MGPI and his interaction with customers make him well-suited to manage the Onaga facility,” said Scott Phillips, vice president of supply chain and operations.  “The biopolymer area of our business is a platform we would like to continue to grow, and we look forward to Mark assisting the company in developing this unique and emerging area of the business.”

Kocour joined MGPI in 1999 as the Atchison, Kan., plant quality manager. His duties included planning and coordinating quality control and assurance programs designed to ensure alignment with customers’ standards. In 2004, he assumed the role of corporate director of quality and toll manufacturing, a position he held until January of 2007. At that time, Kocour began leading the continuous improvement (CI) initiatives for the company as corporate director of CI. He has implemented numerous Six Sigma projects throughout the company’s facilities in this role. Kocour will continue to stay involved in corporate CI initiatives while performing his new role of plant manager at the Onaga facility.

Prior to joining MGPI, Kocour was employed for a year with Sysco Food Services, West Des Moines, Iowa, where he served as marketing associate. Before that, he served several years in quality assurance at Millard Processing Services, Omaha, and Hormel Foods in Austin, Minn., and Fremont, Neb.

Kocour is a native of Atchison and a 1989 graduate of Maur Hill Prep School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business from Baker University, Baldwin City, Kan., in 1993. Kocour is a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.

About MGP Ingredients

In business since 1941, MGP Ingredients, Inc. is a recognized pioneer in the development and production of value–added, grain-based starches, proteins and food grade alcohol products for the branded packaged goods industry. The company has facilities in Atchison, Kan., and Onaga, Kan. that are equipped with the latest technologies to assure high quality products and to maintain efficient production and service capabilities.