Membership Information
| Welcome to the B&CMA |
The Biscuit & Cracker
Manufacturers' Association serves the cookie and cracker industry from the
B&CMA headquarters in Columbia, Maryland. This office serves as
a center for information concerning Association services and affairs related to
our industry.
On November 11, 1901, the Biscuit & Cracker Manufacturers’ Association was established in Cincinnati, Ohio. This was the era of the nostalgic cracker barrel so aptly characterized by B&CMA’s “Biscuit Boy” Trademark.
The B&CMA is an international trade organization representing the entire spectrum of companies involved in the manufacturing of biscuits and crackers and the suppliers to the baking industry. Our mission is to bring unparalleled educational training programs and networking opportunities to members of the cookie and cracker industry. Board of Directors The basic representation of the membership is found in the governing body of the Association, the Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for establishing policy and direction of the Association.
Membership Categories Regular - Manufacturers of biscuits, cracker or kindred products located in the United States. International - Manufacturers of biscuits, cracker or kindred products located outside of the United States. Allied - Suppliers of products or services to the manufacturers of biscuits, crackers, or kindred products.
Member Services:
Membership Directory & Buyers Guide
• Lists the Main Contact Information for Regular and International Baker Members • Lists the Main Contact Information for Allied (Supplier) Members • Distributed Annually to All Members • Provides Advertising Opportunities for All B&CMA Member Companies
Annual Technical ConferenceThe Conference was the first educational service offered to the membership. The first "school" was held in 1926 and proved to be one of the most successful endeavors of the Association. This is the only Conference available with 100% focus on the cookie and cracker industry that offers the greatest assemblage of biscuit and cracker "know-how." The many benefits of this invaluable Conference include the opportunity to: attend numerous educational sessions including Breakout Sessions and Ask the Experts Panels, discuss relevant issues confronting the biscuit and cracker industry; attend the Allied Member Table Top Exhibit and Luncheon; the time to network with colleagues; hear great guest speakers; tour a cookie and cracker bakery, be part of the popular annual golf tournament, and more!
The B&CMA recently held its 83rd Annual Technical Conference at the Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles. Over 290 members from12 different countries attended the program of keynote speakers, educational sessions and networking events. The sold-out tabletop show had 71 exhibitors displaying the latest developments in ingredients, production and machining. In an effort to create industry collaboration, the B&CMA partnered with Snack Food Association (SFA) on several events including the B&CMA General Session, the luncheon sponsored by Kraft Foods Inc., and the B&CMA Product Display, where participants enjoyed the latest cookies, crackers, chips and other snacks. The General Session featured Jay Cooper, Senior Vice President and General Manager Biscuit of Kraft Foods Inc. delivering The State of the Industry address entitled Changing Consumer Trends: The Impact on the Future of Biscuits and Crackers, followed by keynote speaker Tim Fallon, President and General Manager of Kettle Foods who presented Sustainability and the Snack Food Industry. Highly rated breakout sessions covered topics such as chemical leavening, employee engagement, oven technology, chocolate coatings and handling, flour, commodities, and statistical process control, health trends, and product safety. To view the papers from the breakout sessions, go to the B&CMA website http://www.thebcma.org/index.htm Additionally, several networking events were available to participants such as the golf outing, the Washington D.C. tour, a reception, Allied Sponsored Casino Night, and the Table Top Exhibit & Luncheon. The Conference concluded with a bakery tour of the Interbake Foods, LLC Plant in Front Royal, Virginia and an Allied Member tour of Ashworth Bros. Inc. in Winchester, Virginia with over 150 participants attending the tours.
The 84th Annual Technical Conference will be held September 20 – 23, 2009 at the Embassy Suites Charlotte-Concord in Concord, NC, with a tour of the Lance, Inc. Charlotte Bakery. This location is only 5 minutes from the Lowe’s Motor Speedway and a short 20-minute ride into downtown Charlotte.
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