Shearer's Foods, home of Shearer's Award Winning Snacks, was one of 14 Northeast Ohio companies to participate in MAGNET's (Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network) Second Annual Competitiveness Challenge.

Each company assembled an internal team charged with undertaking a specific project that would increase their company's global sales or productivity by focusing on innovation, product development or process efficiency for some critical aspect of the company's business. In addition, this year's Challenge also encouraged companies to showcase their commitment to social responsibility and the environment by undertaking projects with "green" impact.

In mid-October, the projects were ready for submission to the Competitiveness Challenge judges, who recognized Brewster-based Shearer's Foods for its dedication to sustainability.

Headed by Chris Tallman, the Shearer's Team implemented a plan to track and reduce the company's overall consumption of electric, water, and natural gas. Besides achieving their goal, the Team also increased efficiencies in sanitation downtime and water treatment processing, leading to a stunning .50 per cent reduction in water usage/discharge and an overall 3 per cent facility reduction in electric usage. As a result of the Challenge, the fourteen companies participating in this year's friendly competition realized an aggregate economic impact of more than $250 million. In addition, more than 136 jobs were created or retained in Northeast Ohio and 20 new products were developed.

MAGNET's mission is to help manufacturing and technology-based companies and entrepreneurs excel and grow through understanding, adopting, and implementing innovative methods and technology.