WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Bakers Association’s (ABA) President and CEO Robb MacKie will testify before the Maryland House of Delegates Committee on Economic Matters on Tuesday afternoon, March 12. Accompanying Mr. MacKie will be JR Paterakis, Vice President Sales & Marketing for H & S Bakery/Northeast Foods. Mr. Paterakis has been the leader of a multi-industry effort to crack down on organized baking and food industry plastic equipment theft. Also scheduled to appear are representatives of the dairy and the beverage industries.
Mr. MacKie and Mr. Paterakis will be testifying in support of proposed legislation in Maryland to significantly increase penalties as well as create a civil right of action to combat the wholesale theft of plastic bakery equipment such as trays and baskets. ABA and H & S Bakery have been leaders in efforts to provide local law enforcement with more tools and incentives to attack organized equipment theft rings. These theft rings have caused over $100 million in losses to the wholesale baking industry since 2009.
H.B. 1088, introduced by Delegates Doyle Niemann (D-PG) and Michael Vaughn (D-PG) would be a national model legislation in the effort to combat organized theft of plastic bakery equipment. This legislation builds upon the lessons learned during a sting operation of a major organized plastics theft ring in the Washington, DC area.
About the American Bakers Association:
The American Bakers Association (ABA) is the Washington D.C.-based voice of the wholesale baking industry. Since 1897, ABA has represented the interests of bakers before the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, and international regulatory authorities. ABA advocates on behalf of more than 700 baking facilities and baking company suppliers. ABA members produce bread, rolls, crackers, bagels, sweet goods, tortillas and many other wholesome, nutritious, baked products for America’s families. The baking industry generates more than $102 billion in economic activity annually and employs over 630,000 highly skilled people.
Source: American Bakers Association