Tater Talk Podcast w/Mike DeLong

Mike DeLong

Host Mike DeLong and guests share stories and insights impacting the $32 Billion USD global potato processing industry.

  1. Episode 21 - Behind US Ag Exports: A USDA Specialist's Trade Insights

    3 days ago

    Episode 21 - Behind US Ag Exports: A USDA Specialist's Trade Insights

    Uncover the intricate world of US agricultural exports and the journey of a USDA trade specialist in this compelling episode. We sit down with Tess Acosta-Watkins to explore her 34-year career protecting and promoting American agriculture on the global stage, from clearing cargo at major ports to shaping international trade policy. Get ready for a deep dive into the regulations, challenges, and triumphs behind getting US-grown produce to markets worldwide. This Podcast Was Provided To You By: [Projex Consultants](https://projexconsultants.com/) Follow us on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-tater-talk-podcast-w-mike-delong/about) Follow us on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565980726251) Listen to the podcast on [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/26eWo6x32EW7fBckHsD7ls?si=a99764c02dda4a2c) Listen to the podcast on [Apple Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tater-talk-podcast-w-mike-delong/id1744443900) Chapters 00:00 Journey to Agriculture06:02 Market Access and Trade Negotiations15:00 Export Process and Compliance Blind Spots19:51 Navigating the Export Process26:28 Exporting Potatoes to Mexico33:35 Role of Trade Up Global Agri Trade39:23 Preparing for Audits and Regulatory Changes

    49 min
  2. Episode 20 - Why the Cut Matters: The Impact of Cutting Technology on Quality and Profitability

    24 Jun

    Episode 20 - Why the Cut Matters: The Impact of Cutting Technology on Quality and Profitability

    Ever wonder what truly separates a perfect fry from a mediocre one? It's more than just the potato – the precision of the cut has a profound, yet often overlooked, impact on everything from yield and quality to a manufacturer's bottom line. The conversation delves into the complexities of potato cutting and processing, the impact of innovation on legacy machines, and the global trends in the potato industry. Our guests, Tristan Scoble, Director of Sales for North America and Mexico, and Scott Klockow, Director of New Product Development and Applications, both from Urschel Labs, share their expertise on: The critical role of cutting technology in potato processing and food manufacturingHow precise cuts directly influence product yield, quality, and overall profitabilityAn exclusive look into Urschel Labs, the global leader in food cutting equipmentThe fascinating 116-year history of Urschel, from its innovative beginnings to its unique employee-owned structureInsights into the engineering and sales strategies for developing cutting-edge solutions for the food industry Discover how cutting-edge technology drives efficiency and innovation in the world of potatoes and beyond. Chapters 00:00 Improving Cutting Performance33:23 Innovation and Legacy Machines at Urschel38:53 Customer-Driven Product Development and Market Trends46:35 Impact of PEF Treatment on Potato Cutting54:19 Global Trends in the Potato Industry This Podcast Was Provided To You By: [Projex Consultants](https://projexconsultants.com/) Follow us on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-tater-talk-podcast-w-mike-delong/about) Follow us on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565980726251) Listen to the podcast on [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/26eWo6x32EW7fBckHsD7ls?si=a99764c02dda4a2c) Listen to the podcast on [Apple Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tater-talk-podcast-w-mike-delong/id1744443900)

    50 min
  3. Episode 19 - Building a Better Snack Brand: Mark Samuel on Entrepreneurship & Staying Authentic

    3 Jun

    Episode 19 - Building a Better Snack Brand: Mark Samuel on Entrepreneurship & Staying Authentic

    Mark Samuel, a fitness-focused entrepreneur and host of the "Let's Eat" podcast, shares his unconventional journey into the highly competitive potato chip market. Discover how he's building Mark Snacks, a seed oil-free kettle chip brand, with a unique blend of personal branding and bold ambition, despite not even being a snacker himself! This episode dives deep into the strategic choices and mindset required to disrupt a category dominated by giants, offering invaluable insights for anyone in the food industry or aspiring to launch a CPG product. Our guest, Mark Samuel, is the founder of Mark Snacks, a seed oil-free kettle chip brand, and host of the "Let's Eat" podcast, bringing over two decades of experience in building and exiting businesses across fitness and consumer packaged goods. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on innovation, supply chains, and the future of snack brands. This Podcast Was Provided To You By: [Projex Consultants](https://projexconsultants.com/) Follow us on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-tater-talk-podcast-w-mike-delong/about) Follow us on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565980726251) Listen to the podcast on [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/26eWo6x32EW7fBckHsD7ls?si=a99764c02dda4a2c) Listen to the podcast on [Apple Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tater-talk-podcast-w-mike-delong/id1744443900)

    39 min
  4. Episode 18 - From Pharma to Fries: Eyal Pauker on Scaling Complex Food Operations

    27 May

    Episode 18 - From Pharma to Fries: Eyal Pauker on Scaling Complex Food Operations

    Ever wondered what it takes to rapidly scale a complex food manufacturing operation, especially in a niche market like French fries? This episode takes you on an incredible journey from the pharmaceutical world to the heart of Israel's burgeoning potato processing industry, revealing the innovative strategies behind accelerating major industrial projects. Join Mike DeLong as he chats with Eyal Pauker, CEO of Green Frost Foods, about his unique path and the challenges of building a thriving food enterprise. Eyal Pauker, CEO of Green Frost Foods, shares his unparalleled expertise in project management, operational excellence, and scaling complex manufacturing environments. Dive into the world of potato innovation, food processing, and the global supply chain challenges faced by a rapidly growing industry. This Podcast Was Provided To You By: [Projex Consultants](https://projexconsultants.com/) Follow us on [LinkedIn](  / about  ) Follow us on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...) Listen to the podcast on [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/26eWo6x...) Listen to the podcast on [Apple Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...)

    44 min
  5. Episode 17 - PMI Talk: There's More to Project Success Than Startup

    27 May ·  Bonus

    Episode 17 - PMI Talk: There's More to Project Success Than Startup

    Does a successful project end at the handover? For many organizations, startup day is treated as the finish line, but for the operations team, it’s only Day One. Mike introduces the Project to Performance (P2P) Framework, a structured approach to operational readiness that bridges the gap between traditional project metrics and long-term business results. Whether you are in industrial construction, IT, or business services, this framework provides a mindset shift to ensure your project doesn't just start but performs. Connect with Mike DeLong: LinkedIn:   / mike-delong-pmp   This Podcast Was Provided to You By: https://projexconsultants.com/ Follow us on   / about   Follow us on https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... Listen to the podcast on https://open.spotify.com/show/26eWo6x... Listen to the podcast on https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

    48 min
  6. Episode 16 - Why Drainage Is Essential Food Safety Equipment With Viking Kristjansson

    27 May

    Episode 16 - Why Drainage Is Essential Food Safety Equipment With Viking Kristjansson

    When you think of food safety, your mind probably jumps to stainless steel equipment, high-tech sanitation, and rigorous inspection programs. But what about the often-overlooked area right beneath your feet: the drainage system? For too long, drains have been treated as a mere afterthought—a simple hole for wastewater to disappear. However, in the high-stakes world of food processing, this passive approach is creating massive, unseen risks, from decaying cast iron piping to environments where deadly pathogens can thrive. In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Viking Kristjansson   / viking-kristjansson-global-drain-technologies  , Vice President of Sales Engineering at Global Drain Technologies https://globaldraintech.com/, to discuss why it's time for the industry to embrace a critical culture shift: viewing drainage as truly essential food safety equipment. Chapters: [00:00] - Introduction [01:45] - Viking Kristjansson’s Background And Career Path Into Drainage Industry [03:10] - Shift From Home Building To Food Safety Drainage Industry Entry Story [04:20] - Engineering-Led Innovation And Problem-Solving In Food Facility Drain Systems [08:47] - Drainage As An Overlooked But Critical Food Safety System In Plants [13:00] - Alliance Partner Program And Turnkey Solution For Food Facility Drainage Projects [16:35] - Development And Expansion Of The Alliance Partner Network Across North America [19:52] - Service Excellence, Innovation, And Manufacturing Philosophy Driving Company Growth [25:36] - DrainWorks Platform And GDT University Enabling Partner Marketing And Training

    31 min
  7. Episode 15 - 20 Years Of PotatoPro: Mapping The Global Potato Industry With Paul Van Eijck

    27 May

    Episode 15 - 20 Years Of PotatoPro: Mapping The Global Potato Industry With Paul Van Eijck

    Potatoes are harvested, processed, and manufactured around the world. Keeping up to date on everything about the global potato industry can be a chore, but thankfully, one website is doing all the hard work. Mike Delong is joined by Paul Van Eijck (  / potatopro  , owner of PotatoPro (http://PotatoPro.com), one of the top digital media platforms covering all about this particular business area. He talks about the origin story of his website that offers all of the latest news, the biggest developments, and some statistical data – all available for free and without subscription fees. Paul also explores how the shifting supplier base, the ever-changing weather conditions, and rapid AI adoption are transforming the global potato industry, and what they mean for its future. Chapters: [00:00] Intro [1:00] How Paul Got Into The Potato Industry [11:03] Establishing A Processing Technology Center For McCain Foods [15:27] Career Transition From Researcher To Publisher [21:47] Running The Number One Platform For The Potato Industry [28:42] Meaningful Changes In The Global Potato-Processing Industry [33:45] How To Adopt And Leverage Today’s Innovative Technologies [38:12] Discussion Wrap-up And Closing Words

    40 min
  8. Episode 14 - Revolutionizing Potato Harvest: Inside Raytec’s Ingenuity Sorter With Mehtab Sarao

    27 May

    Episode 14 - Revolutionizing Potato Harvest: Inside Raytec’s Ingenuity Sorter With Mehtab Sarao

    Modern potato harvesting requires more than just speed; it requires precision data and reliable automation. Today on Tater Talk, Mehtab Sarao of Raytec Vision (https://www.raytecvision.com/en/) breaks down the Ingenuity Sorter, a heavy-duty optical solution that handles up to 150 tons of unwashed potatoes per hour. From eliminating foreign objects to providing real-time size distribution, learn how Raytec is replacing the "headache" of manual sorting with consistent, 360-degree vision technology. Chapters: [00:00] Intro [1:58] Global Expertise and the Journey to Raytec [5:00] Market Drivers: Labor Shortages and COVID-19 [7:34] Mid-Air Scanning and Three-Way Sorting [8:54] Data Harvesting and Size Statistics [10:18] Solving the Unwashed Potato Challenge [11:37] The ROI of Consistent Performance [13:55] Protecting Brand Image: The "Golf Ball" Crisis [27:23] The Move Toward Mobile Sorting Solutions [31:52] Future Trends: Digitalization and Global Demand

    38 min
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Host Mike DeLong and guests share stories and insights impacting the $32 Billion USD global potato processing industry.

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