ATCHISON, Kan., January 6, 2012— MGP Ingredients, Inc. has announced the appointment of Jim Vinoski as plant manager of the company’s wholly owned subsidiary, MGPI of Indiana, LLC, located in Lawrenceburg, Ind., and the adjacent community of Greendale, Ind.  Vinoski brings extensive experience in operations and supply chain executive management to his new role with MGP.

“We are very impressed with Jim’s credentials and are fortunate to have him as a member of our team,” said Scott Phillips, vice president of supply chain and operations.  “His qualifications make him ideal for overseeing production operations and related activities at MGP’s Indiana location.  He has broad knowledge and experience in multiple aspects of supply chain management, and is a proven leader and effective problem solver who possesses a combination of strong engineering and strategic business development skills.”

Since 2008, Vinoski had served as operations business manager of the Yoplait Yogurt Division at General Mills, Inc. in Minneapolis. In this capacity, he directed processes to develop and launch new products and to identify and execute large margin management projects. He additionally was heavily involved in the integration of supply chain activities, including engineering, operations, sourcing and logistics.

Vinoski began his career with General Mills in 1996 as system improvement engineer at the company’s Reed City, Mich., facility. From 1998 to 2003, he was employed as packaging system engineer for General Mills in Covington, Ga. Vinoski then spent the next five years as plant technical manager at General Mills operations in Methuen, Mass., and in Buffalo, N.Y. before being promoted to operations manager of the Yoplait Division in Minneapolis.  Prior to his employment with General Mills, he held operations and project engineering roles with Protein Technologies International, Memphis; Thompson and Formby, Inc., Olive Branch, Miss.; and Vista Chemical Company, Aberdeen, Miss.

“I’m thrilled to join MGP Ingredients during such exciting and promising times for the company,” Vinoski said.  “I look forward to working with the team at the Lawrenceburg plant, which has a long, rich history, and am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it.”

Vinoski is a native of Ironwood, Mich., and a graduate of Christian Brothers University, Memphis, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering.  He has also pursued studies in economics at George Mason University, Fairfax, Va.

About MGP Ingredients, Inc.

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’s facilities in Atchison, Kan., Onaga, Kan, and at its newest site located in the adjoined towns of Lawrenceburg and Greendale, Ind., are dedicated to utilizing the latest technologies and innovations to assure high quality products and to maintain efficient production and service capabilities. For more information, visit www.mgpingredients.com.