Thank you to our Gold sponsor this month Industrias Roko a premier global supplier of agar.

Tidbit Sponsorships Available

IMR does not accept advertising but we welcome sponsorships for these free tidbits to help us defray the cost of producing them. Contact us for more detail about sponsorship cost/benefits.

Hydrocolloid Conference - 2024

Hot Topics in Hydrocolloids.

When: April 28-30, 2024 (Sunday-Tuesday)

Where: Savannah, GA

Hotel Bardo - Click HERE for a reservation link. A unique boutique hotel.

Several sponsorship levels are being offered. Contact IMR for more detail.

We already have 4 speaker signed up. OK two are from IMR.

The input of end-users of hydrocolloids is critical to understanding what are "THEIR hot topics". Let us know of any speaker suggestions.

Competing with your Customer(s)

A hydrocolloid acquisition is expected to be completed in the US between a major hydrocolloid distributor and a hydrocolloid supplier. It will be interesting to see how the potential conflict of interest is addressed in this new merger.

Conflicting interests are not new to hydrocolloids. Producers of hydrocolloids sometimes compete with their own customers in the arena of blends and services. Raw material suppliers have entered the downstream activities of their customers (think gelatin). Some companies will distribute two lines of competing products eg PGA.

Hydrocolloid Re-Structuring

A major hydrocolloid supplier is undergoing significant re-structuring with resulting layoffs.

Such re-structuring can often be the pre-cursor of more changes to follow.

If you have any hydrocolloid positions to fill, there is likely a new set of candidates from which to choose. Let us know.

Halloween and Hydrocolloids

The US celebrated Halloween on Tuesday night. One IMR household wanted to be "that house," the one with the full-size candies. Unfortunately, "that house" is at the top of a fairly steep hill, so there are a lot of full-size leftovers.

IMR maintains a database of consumption estimates for the candy industry across the globe. We'd like to have our readers' insights:

We'll share the poll results along with some of our estimates next week.

We would love to have photos of unusual candy and the hydrocolloids on the label. Maybe there will be some leftover Halloween treats for the sender.

Hydrocolloid People and Positions

Let us know if you are looking for a position or have a hydrocolloid position to fill.

IMR is not a recruiting company but we do 'matchmaking'.

Candidate 1

Highly experienced Account Manager with 5 years of hydrocolloid and system sales. Team player, communicator and new business developer. Extensive knowledge of hydrocolloid markets and managing key accounts. Dedicated lifelong sales career in the food ingredients industry (9 years). US Midwest based.

Two Positions - Company 1

Sales/Business Manager & Senior Market Development

(Two positions same company)

1) Sales/Business Manager - US (Mid-West) Based

Experience in food & non-food cellulosics a major plus.

5-10 years experience in the field.

2) Senior Market Development & Sales based Central America. (Guatemala, El Salvador)

Spanish a must. Local candidate from Central America is ideal.

Self starter, establishing an office part of the job.

Salary & benefits 'commensurate with experience'

Cellulosics experience is of particular importance in the above two positions. Food a major target but non-food (paper, oilfield and detergent) experience also valuable.

Two More Positions - Company 2

Sales & Business Development

A leading and major Asian producer of several key hydrocolloids.

Seeking two US based individuals to take existing sales volume to the next level.

Self starters with good knowledge and contacts in the food market.

Minimum 5 years experience in hydrocolloid sales.

Some technical knowledge a plus to serve as initial technical service responders.

Excellent opportunity with a high level of independence.

All positions in IMR Tidbits are hydrocolloid related.