Cargill Value Added Meats, Wichita, Kan., is scaling back at two Willow Brook Foods operations in Springfield, Mo.

Industrial lift truck supplier Toyota Material Handling USA Inc., Irvine, Calif., said it promoted Brett Wood to president, effective immediately.

Stewart Owens, former chairman and CEO at Bob Evans Farms, died on Sept. 18 after a battle with gastric esophageal cancer.

Hormel Foods Corp., Austin, Minn., said Gary Ray, president of the company's protein units, and Russell Potter, vice president of operations-grocery products division, will retire.

The Organic Trade Association (OTA), Greenfield, Mass., said it hired Christine Bushway as the organization's executive director.

Food industry equipment, supply and service companies will honor Arthur Wolcott, chairman of Seneca Foods Corp., during  PROCESS EXPO on Nov. 10 in Chicago.

Citing feed costs and an oversupply of chicken, Pilgrim's Pride Corp., Pittsburg, Texas, said it will lay off 116 workers at the company's Franconia, Pa., plant.

Bret Weaver has succeeded Troy Hendricks as president and chief executive officer at H.C. Brill Company Inc.

Diversified frozen food giant Schwan Food Company, Marshall, Minn., said it hired Yvonne La Penotiere as the company's first chief strategy and marketing officer.

Hanson Logistics, St. Joseph, Mich., said it hired industry veteran Matt Luckas as vice president of supply chain services.