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28 | I NSIGH T • F e b r u a r y 2 0 15 w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m ONLINE: Listen to Tim Galloway discuss how Galloway Company has prepared for a future without family in its leadership team of sugar will be emptied directly into a machine affectionately known as "Lumpzilla," which adds water, removes the lumps from the mixture and then pipes it to various storage tanks in the production plant. Innovation culture T he development of a better transfer process for "Lumpzilla" is just one small part of a company culture that includes the value "nimble." One of Galloway's core products, sweetened condensed milk, is in production 365 days a year. Frozen dairy mixes are in production roughly five days a week and beverage and other custom solutions are produced as needed. In addition to the mixing process, the finished products need to be packaged and prepared for shipment. Yet, the crew manning the plant on any given day seems small in comparison to the amount of products, in part because that stainless steel network of piping Tim joked about is part of a larger automated and efficient system the company has developed through the years. "As the products evolved, so did the plant," says Tod Galloway, vice president and the engineer behind the inner-workings of the plant. Galloway owns several patents for innovations it has made over the years, part of the company's ongoing efforts to increase efficiency. Some of those patents have spread beyond the production facility walls. A device Créme de la Créme c o n t i n u e d allowing processors to extract samples from a storage tank without exposing the products inside to air and potential contaminants is now a standard feature in the dairy business as a whole. "You order a tank from just about anywhere, and that comes as a standard feature," Tod says. Tod has received U.S. patents for the "pig" system he developed for moving products from one part of the plant to another. ("Pigging" is an industrial process where a device – the pig, so called for the squealing sound it can make – is moved under pressure through a pipeline system.) He is in the process of applying for patents in Europe for the technology, which has applications outside of the dairy industry. But innovation is not just about technology. Another key element of the Galloway mission is to "provide meaningful employment," and employee contribution and empowerment is encouraged from morning gatherings to the design of the new facilities. At 9 a.m. each day, there is a standup meeting in the company lunchroom. Details of various orders and processes are posted on video screens around the room. First, there is recognition of celebrations — acknowledgements of those who have made contributions of time and talent outside of their normal duties or for milestones achieved. Next, everyone reviews the board and provides updates to the group, whether it's the latest batch of a specialty beverage mix or a safety warning about the installation of wall panels for the new sugar transfer facility. "We are invested in customer "I had to make a change. I was best at selling. … Feed your passion, not your ego." – Tim Galloway, Galloway chairman & CEO success," Dieterich says. "We try to figure out ways to make things happen for them. Sometimes it makes it harder for us, but part of our mission is to do what others won't do." e final step: a little group stretching — arms, trunk and legs — then everyone is off to work. e latest renovation and expansion is employee-centric in its design, with the higher traffic areas such as production and logistics in the center for easy communication with those in the plant while administrative, sales and leadership functions are on the outside edges. The change P reserving a company culture that encourages innovation and meaningful employment was among the reasons that, in 2000, the family realized it was time to change the traditional leadership team by introducing non-family members. Part of it was a personal decision by Tim, who was serving as company president as well as selling sweetened condensed milk and heading the new beverage division, one of the fastest growing segments of the Galloway product line. Aer 10 years, Tim realized he was at his best when working with customers, not when managing the day-to-day operations of the company. "I had to make a change. I was best at selling. at's when I'm at my best,"