ATCHISON, Kan., May 17, 2011—MGP Ingredients, Inc. (MGPI) has announced the appointment of Stephen Glaser to the position of plant manager at the company’s Atchison, Kan., facility.  Glaser brings several years of chief executive and senior operations experience to the role, which is responsible for the management of all operational activities and processes at the facility. This includes accountability for plant performance, safety, environmental and quality objectives, as well as participation in the execution of corporate, business unit and plant level strategies and tactics.

“We are very pleased and fortunate to have Steve join our company in such a significant and important capacity,” said Scott Phillips, vice president of supply chain and operations.  “He comes here with an amazingly broad range of talents, competencies and expertise that I am confident he will apply with the same high level of commitment that he has consistently demonstrated throughout his career.   He has tremendous knowledge and experience in all aspects of supply chain management, including sourcing, purchasing, logistics and quality, and is a proven leader and dynamic problem solver who leverages his strong and unique mix of engineering skills, business acumen and top tier executive management capabilities.”

Since January 2008, Glaser had served as president and chief executive officer of Briggs Industries, Charleston, S.C., a leading, multi-site international kitchen and bath products business and subsidiary of Ceramicas Industriales S.A., Santiago, Chile.  In this position, he was responsible to the company’s Board of Directors for driving value, meeting and exceeding financial goals and achieving strategic objectives set in the company’s long-range plans.  Among his major accomplishments was leading the successful restructuring of the company, returning it to profitability during a severe downturn in the general economy.

Before his promotion to president and CEO at Briggs, Glaser spent three years as vice president of operations for the company.  This role consisted of responsibility for overseeing all facets of operations, including quality, sourcing, purchasing, planning logistics, materials management, facilities and order fulfillment.  Prior to that, he was employed as director of sourcing and materials planning for Electrolux Home Products, St. Cloud, Minn., from June 2003 to November 2004.  His responsibilities there included pricing, quality, value engineering, cost reduction programs, planning, delivery and handling for all commodities.

From August 2001 to June 2003, Glaser served as general manager of Shumagin Corporation, Sand Point, Alaska, where he was responsible to the Board of Directors and shareholders for the management of extensive land holdings and mineral deposits, commercial properties and an investment portfolio.  Just prior to that, he spent nearly two years as director of strategic sourcing for Schlage Lock Company, Colorado Springs, Colo., and almost four years as a buyer and purchasing manager for Sony Electronics in Mount Pleasant, Penn.

Before beginning his business career, Glaser served with the U.S. Navy from March 1986 to June 1995.  He was selected to serve in the Navy’s elite Engineering Duty Officer Program, which consisted of a team of 900 professionals responsible for entire capital equipment procurement programs, including aircraft, ships and submarines.

Glaser received a bachelor of science degree in industrial engineering from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, in 1983.  The following year, he earned a master of science degree in industrial engineering at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind.  In 1991, Glaser earned a master of science degree in electrical engineering at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif.  He additionally has participated in numerous professional development courses and programs over the years.

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.