ADPI Recognizes Dairy Pioneers

The dairy industry honored its own this week with the American Dairy Products Institute bestowing awards on pioneers within the community during the organization's annual meeting in Chicago.

Mark Davis, Davisco Foods International Inc., and A. Kent Keller, Whey Systems Inc., received the organization's 2000 Award of Merit.

In recognizing Davis, ADPI officials noted he has developed new and unique dairy products requiring cutting-edge technology and major capital investments, and that in 1983 he installed the first U.S. whey protein plant.

"Comparing the state-of-the-art of whey processing then and now clearly demonstrates the vision, commitment and tenacity Mark has for developing new dairy products," ADPI leaders said. "As a result of his work in the field of dairy proteins, numerous patents and application patents are held by Davisco."

Keller (a.k.a. "Mr. Lactose") is credited as being largely responsible for the fast-paced growth in the volume of lactose and whey protein products being processed.

"Realizing that whey permeate must be profitably utilized if whey proteins are to be recovered, Keller developed a simple, reliable process for manufacturing lactose," ADPI officials said. "This process included a novel dryer that has been patented and accepted throughout the world."

Keller also introduced an automated, counter-current washing system for producing high-quality, edible lactose. Roughly 80% of new lactose systems installed around the globe during the past two decades have included his dryer or his process design or both.

The organization also bestowed its 2000 Honorary Lifetime Director Award on Dairy Farmers of America's Larry Claypool and Brewster Dairy's Fritz Leeman, both of whom served as ADPI directors for 14 years.

Established in 1993, the award recognizes individuals for "outstanding, untiring and long-time service" on the board of directors of ADPI and its predecessor organizations: the American Dry Milk Institute, the Whey Product Institute, and the Evaporated Milk Associations.

The ADPI event was held as a joint annual meeting with the American Butter Institute.

Edited by Gerry Clark