Podcast

LISTEN: NCA new Chairman Paul Chibe on why sustainability counts in the US confectionery industry

01-Apr-2021 - Last updated on 01-Apr-2021 at 08:08 GMT

Related tags Nca Ferrero

Paul Chibe, President and CEO of Ferrero North America, is the new Chairman of the National Confectioners Association Board of Trustees for a two-year term. In an exclusive ConfectioneryNews podcast, Chibe talks about his 30 years of experience within the confectionery and consumer products industries and why he is looking forward to his new role as Chairman at the NCA.

Chibe, who recently served as Vice Chairman, took over last month from departing NCA Board Chairman Kirk Vashaw, Chairman and CEO of Spangler Candy Company.

The NCA represents more than 550 member companies in the North American confectionery industry, from multi-national, global manufacturers to small, family-owned businesses.

Doing the right thing always pays back in the long-term, and that is something I will bring to the NCA

As the chocolate and candy industry enters a critical period, not only recovering from the economic affects of a global pandemic, but also changing consumer trends in terms of product transparency and sustainability - and the larger issues of social equality in the workplace; Chibe says he can bring a lot of guidance and experience to NCA member companies to help with these issue.

He has learned from his time at Ferrero, for example, “that doing the right thing always pays back in the long-term, and that is something I will bring to the NCA.”

Ferrero

He is proud to work for a company with a robust sustainability programme and an excellent track record on corporate social responsibility. Historically the ethics of the Ferrero family permeate the company in a strong way, he says, and it takes great pride in caring for its partners, associates, workers and customers.

Diversity, equity and inclusion is fundamental, he says, for companies to be successful. He says it is crucial that the NCA shares ways to help its member companies in these areas, to make sure the candy industry is seen as a career opportunity for people with diverse backgrounds.

Sustainability is also extraordinarily important to the American consumer, he confirms.

“The big companies and the small companies are all pursuing very specific sustainability agendas in the context of moving the industry in the direction of being good citizens of the planet. People care in the United States, the industry cares in the United States, and you see a broad set of actions by member companies to move the sustainability agenda forward.”