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 Conference
The 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!
From Sustaining to Innovating
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/.
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.
The Cookie and Cracker
Manufacturing Course 2nd Edition
This self-study correspondence Course trains and educates each student in all aspects of the manufacturing/production process. One of the trademarks of our Course is that our students work at their own pace within a two-year parameter and testing is completed either on-line or via mail. The Course is targeted towards production supervisors but the information presented benefits anyone who serves in the cookie and cracker industry including suppliers, scientists and sales representatives.
http://www.thebcma.org/educatn.htm
Webinar Series
The B&CMA held it’s first educational Webinar, Bake & Post Bake Operations – Ask the Experts, on August 7, 2007. Our second Webinar, Flour Performance, Choice, Consistency and Control was held on June 19, 2008 and was deemed an “overwhelming success” by participants. The next Webinar is scheduled for November 6, 2008 covering the topic Statistical Process Control.
http://eo2.commpartners.com/users/bcma/upcoming.php
Annual Convention
Attending this Convention provides members an invaluable opportunity to network with fellow executives. The 2009 106th Annual Convention will be held April 19-21, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa, San Antonio, Texas.
Committees
A number of committees have been established to deal with
particular concerns of the cookie and cracker industry. Committees also
provide input to the Board of Directors to assist in policy determination.
Committee membership consists of representatives from member companies thus
ensuring that the views of individual B&CMA members are recognized and used
to their best advantage.
Allied Advisory - Allied Members, an integral part of the Association, provide input to the Association concerning issues of mutual interest.
Convention Planning - Develops an overall plan and format for the Annual Convention.
Education - Examines the educational needs of the industry and recommends various programs. Participates in developing and organizing the Annual Technical Conference.
Financial Planning - Works closely with the B&CMA staff in developing the operating budget for the Association.
Technology -
Staff
Stacey Sharpless, President - ssharpless@thebcma.org
Kathy K. Phelps, Membership & Student Relations Manager - kkinter@thebcma.org
Kerry Kurowski, Education & Meetings Manager – kkurowski@thebcma.org
For more information contact:
The Biscuit and Cracker Manufacturers' Association
6325 Woodside Court, Suite 125
Columbia, Maryland 21046
Telephone: (443) 545-1645
Fax: (410) 290-8585
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