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

    4d ago

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

    May 27

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

    May 27 ·  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
  4. Episode 16 - Why Drainage Is Essential Food Safety Equipment With Viking Kristjansson

    May 27

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

    May 27

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

    May 27

    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
  7. Episode 13 - Why Your Next Trailer Should Last Three Decades With Keith Eastman

    May 27

    Episode 13 - Why Your Next Trailer Should Last Three Decades With Keith Eastman

    In potato processing, moving the crop from field to facility is a critical logistics challenge. Processors need a reliable, efficient, and gentle way to transport potatoes—whether for immediate processing or long-term storage. Today on the Tater Talk podcast, we speak with Keith Eastman (  / keith-eastman  ) from Trinity Trailer (https://trinitytrailer.com/) about transportation innovation. For nearly 50 years, Trinity Trailer has built equipment designed not just for the haul, but for the long haul. We explore Trinity’s pioneering self-unloading belt trailer, the Eagle Bridge design, and features like flexible side frames and the patented Ultra Spud tail fin, all engineered to extend trailer life, increase versatility, and minimize bruising and damage. Discover how this industry leader stays relevant with customer-driven customization, in-house financing, and a commitment to quality that keeps trailers running reliably for decades. A must-read for anyone in potato logistics, farming, or processing. Chapters: [00:00] Intro [1:31] Background & Entry Into The Potato Industry [6:31] Founding Of Trinity Trailers & Eagle Bridge Design [16:44] Market Conditions, Purchasing Decisions, & In-House Financing [20:50] Specific Trailer Design Advantages For Potato Handling [26:45] Product Innovation & Automation In Potato Transportation [32:48] Pride In Supporting The Potato Industry & “Feeding The World” [37:45] Service And Parts Support, & Future Trade Show Plans

    42 min
  8. Episode 12 - From Seed To Shelf: Revolutionizing Produce Traceability With Creg Fielding

    May 27

    Episode 12 - From Seed To Shelf: Revolutionizing Produce Traceability With Creg Fielding

    In this digital age, where all kinds of technology are easily accessible, there is no excuse to stick to outdated ways to track your products. Mike DeLong is joined by Creg Fielding (  / creg-fielding-a677987  , Founder and CEO of Fusionware, a company at the forefront of digital transformation that helps retailers and farmers vastly improve their produce traceability. Together, they discuss how technology can eliminate data silos by tracking every touch point of the agricultural process, from seed certification all the way to harvest. Creg also explains how Fusionware (https://fusionware.com) seamlessly integrates its processes with a retailer’s existing ERP ecosystem and accounting systems, saving time, energy, and resources. Chapters: [00:59] - Looking Back To Creg’s Career Journey [05:12] - Helping Companies Get Rid Of Antiquated Systems [15:20] - How Produce Traceability Plays Into Quality Expectation Of Retailers [21:49] -The Risk Of Not Having A Digital Platform [26:14] - How Fusionware’s Solutions Fit Within A Company’s ERP Ecosystem [31:27] - Fusionware’s Footprint Around the World Today [35:27] - Advice To Entrepreneurs Getting Into The Agricultural Field [37:08] - Get In Touch With Creg

    39 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

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

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