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Trusting Our VisionPresident and CEO Mark Jansen thanked the members for “...trusting in our new vision...,”which delivered industry leading grower returns at the same time the cooperative was investingin new marketing strategies and expanding processing capabilities. “You have the security ofknowing that each year our aim at Blue Diamond is to have the best return in the state.”The cooperative achieves superior, dependable returns by “not taking risky marketpositions,” Jansen noted. “We do not try to time a peak in the market. Given our size andbusiness model, this is not an option. Our strategy is to average sales throughout the year.”As for returns on the 2012 crop, Jansen said, “Most of you had lower yields per acre this year,but you should be comforted in knowing that early in the marketing year we are generatingsignificant increases in returns per pound. Barring a significant turn in the market, BlueDiamond is on track to achieve record grower revenues for the third straight year!”Jansen described the remarkable response from employees to his challenge to “find $10million in margin enhancements for our growers.” Employees delivered $13 million insavings though improved manufacturing yields, faster manufacturing lines and lowercosts, he said, and are continuing down that path to even more savings and value-addedproducts for higher grower returnscontinued on next page »NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2012 Almond Facts 23