Skjodt-Barrett Foods has diligently manufactured high-quality food products for the world’s most beloved brands for the last four decades. We dig into the company’s success story with President and CEO, Jamie Chiarotto, and Chief Revenue Officer, Guy Burton.
ARCHITECTS OF GREAT FOOD
The global food industry is thriving, driven by consumer demand for better-for-you products, clean labels, and a greater level of transparency.
Nowadays, people want to know where their food comes from, its nutritional value, and its carbon footprint.
As such, one company consistently meeting these new demands is Skjodt-Barrett Foods (Skjodt-Barrett).
Founded in 1985, Skjodt-Barrett operates two main divisions, with the Custom Ingredients division encompassing fruit fillings, toppings, caramels, and sauces sold in bulk across the food service, bakery, and confectionery sectors.
The company’s Contract Manufacturing arm, meanwhile, covers flexible packaging for baby food, fruit snacks, spreads, sauces, and more.
Since inception, Skjodt-Barrett has established a solid track record of success built upon a foundation of trust, transparency, and open collaboration.
“We foster a customer-centric culture of entrepreneurism where we keep it simple, tell it like it is, and believe that actions speak louder than words,” introduces Jamie Chiarotto, President and CEO.
Chiarotto’s first 14 years of work in the industry were spent with Kraft Canada (later Kraft-Heinz Canada), where he gained invaluable experience in personal and professional growth, before a former colleague invited Chiarotto to join Skjodt-Barrett in 2018.
“Initially hesitant to leave my safety net, I learned more about the company over a casual meeting and became convinced it was the right fit. After five years in finance and one in supply chain, I was honored to be given the opportunity to lead such a great organization,” he enthuses.
With 800 employees across Brampton, Ontario, and Lebanon, Indiana, Skjodt-Barrett creates tailored food solutions for a swathe of leading North American brands.
The original founders of the company, Dan Skjodt and Paul Barrett, also remain active in the business, with Dan maintaining an ownership position alongside being a key member of the board.
BUILDING THE BRAND
Trusted by many of North America’s most recognized brands, Skjodt-Barrett is a leading co-manufacturer of retail-ready, re-sealable spouted and non-spouted pouch products.
“Our expertise in manufacturing and product development translates into high-quality consistency you can bank on,” Chiarotto acclaims.
“A number of our products have become staples in countless households, particularly in the field of baby food. Therefore, safety and quality are paramount, backed by rigorous development programs,” he tells us.
As such, Skjodt-Barrett hosts an in-house product development team led by the company’s new Chief Revenue Officer, Guy Burton. The team plays a key role in shaping the customer experience.
“Both our customer and product development teams take pride in their collaborative approach with our customers to bring innovative ingredients and finished goods to market,” says Burton, a 17-year food industry veteran with a passion for transformation.
“We’re also leading the way in better-for-you innovations, such as no added sugar caramel and our range of organic pouches, while a further exciting trend is the expansion of organic fruit purées into active and occasion-based segments,” he continues.
As an expert in wet food ingredients, the company provides formulation and manufacturing proficiency across a multitude of product categories and packaging formats, servicing a range of industry segments and applications.
Skjodt-Barrett likes to say that “if it fits in a pouch, we’ll put it there”. For example, the company recently partnered on the launch of a squeezable fruit spread that eliminates the hassle of jars and, along with other innovations, continues to position the business as a pioneer in the pouch market.
Products such as these are created and rigorously tested within state-of-the-art facilities with the most advanced quality certifications and frequently audited by national retailers, major brands, and regulatory agencies.
The company’s commitment to quality, however, extends beyond investments in its facilities and certifications.
“Implementing these programs and supporting these operations is our dedicated team of technicians and food science professionals,” Chiarotto affirms.
This comprehensive development process provides Skjodt-Barrett customers with the confidence and peace of mind that the efficient and safe production of their products is in good hands.
“All of our products are produced in line with Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standards. Our procedures are industry-leading, meticulous, and refined across every manufacturing stage.”
COMMUNICATE, EMPOWER, DELIVER
Founded as a family-owned business, Skjodt-Barrett cares deeply about finding and fostering the best talent in the field while nurturing a culture of transparency, responsibility, and integrity.
“This is what drives us to make great-tasting, convenient, and healthy foods that our customers depend on. Our people are our pride, the reason for our past success, and the innovators driving the future of food,” Chiarotto sets out.
Furthermore, Skjodt-Barrett is committed to building an inclusive culture that helps to create longevity, growth, and innovation across the vast food industry.
“We live our values daily, fostering an environment where employees are empowered to make decisions. Our team members are experts in their fields and we trust them to move the business forward,” he prides.
Transparency likewise encourages the entire team at Skjodt-Barrett, with everyone involved in mapping out the company’s journey.
This creates a sense of ownership and purpose, making the path ahead much more engaging for its people.
BUILDING A BETTER INDUSTRY
Skjodt-Barrett has worked tirelessly to establish its legacy of providing healthy foods and custom ingredients to its clients and their customers.
Similarly, if you look behind the scenes, the company’s dedication to making a positive impact on the world around it shines through as a foundational pillar.
“We commit to using our business as a driver of change and are passionate about expanding our sustainability footprint,” Chiarotto divulges.
“Elsewhere, our facilities maintain the highest safety standards and are continuously improving in areas of efficiency and environmental impact. We work hand-in-hand with our suppliers to find the most efficient and economical ways of doing business, including the continuous evolution of recyclable packaging,” he clarifies.
Alongside this, Skjodt-Barrett carefully sources the highest-quality ingredients from suppliers all over the world.
The company takes its role as a supply chain partner to heart and adheres to strict supplier standards to ensure its vendors uphold the same integrity and values.
“We commit to using our business as a driver of change and are passionate about expanding our sustainability footprint”
Jamie Chiarotto, President and CEO, Skjodt-Barrett Foods
FUTURE PRIORITIES
Beyond financial targets, Skjodt-Barrett aims to strengthen customer relationships, partner on innovative ideas, and execute exciting product launches, as the power of collaboration remains at the heart of its approach leading into the future.
“Looking ahead, we’re passionate about driving innovation in caramel, bakery fillings, dairy, and confectionery ingredients. In the pouch sector, we’re excited to launch the next generation of better-for-you purée products,” Burton excites.
“We’re also expanding our offerings to enhance customer portfolios. Earlier this year, we doubled the footprint of our Indiana facility, providing space for growth and new product launches,” Chiarotto concludes proudly.
