Ralph Cator

(Ralph Cator) focused on being an innovative player in the meat industry by
seeking out the best minds in each field and then capitalized on their knowledge.
serve the rapidly growing food service market. He focused on
being an innovative player in the meat industry by seeking
out the best minds in each field and then capitalized on their
knowledge. He continues to be a huge believer in “no one of
us is as smart as all of us” and made this a key business strategy
while driving the company’s growth.
Cator was always active in the industry and knew that
expanding the knowledge of the Cardinal team was
imperative to remaining innovative and competitive. By
joining the National Association of Meat Purveyors in 1969,
He established Cardinal’s long-standing relationship with
NAMP and in 1992 became the association’s first Canadian
president. Cator helped broaden the association’s scope to
become a truly North American organization leading the
group to change their name to the North American Meat
Processors Association.
At the forefront
To keep his company of the forefront of the industry, he was
always seeking new and improved technologies. Cardinal’s
ability to differentiate itself from the competition was driven
in large part by its innovation. His efforts to expand the
business and provide superior products to the market led
Cardinal to become the first meat processor to utilize many
new technologies that have become industry standards today.
Under Cator’s leadership, the company continued a steady
introduction of new equipment, production methods and
product innovation, many of which are the basis of Cardinal’s
leading position today. Always a risk taker, he spearheaded a
bold move for Cardinal introducing Canada’s first national
brand premium burger in foodservice: Cardinal’s Roadhouse
Beef Burger.
Today, Cardinal’s product line covers the gamut of meatbased
proteins. Pork mini-ribs, pulled beef au jus, meatloaf
and gravy, and Kettle Cooked Ribs are all on their menu.
In 1990, Cator turned over day-to-day management of the
company to his two sons, Mark and Brent, allowing him to
return to school to pursue his love of art. He graduated from
Humber College in 1992 and soon after, became a licentiate of
the Professional Photographers of Canada – a second career,
which he pursues to this day.
Next generation
Cator continues as chairman of the board for Cardinal
Meat Specialists, advising his son Brent, who now owns the
company and continues the growth of this third generation
business at an astounding pace.
His lifetime of service is far broader than his
accomplishments in the meat industry. During his term with
NAMP, he was presented with the NAMP President’s Award,
The Angus Award and The Fifty Year Service Award. He
has also served as the Foundation Chair for the Canadian
Association of Family Enterprise and is an Associate of the
Trillium Health Centre Foundation.
Along with a successful stock photography business, his
photographs have been used to promote such things as the
Canadian Open Golf Tournament and charitable causes such
as the United Way, Rally for the Cure, the Hospital for Sick
Children and Habitat for Humanity.
Other inductees
Other members of MIHoF’s Class of 2010 include:
• Richard Bond, CEO, president and director of Tyson
Foods Inc.
• William D. Farr, of Farr Feeders (deceased)
• Joel Johnson, chairman, president and CEO of Hormel
Foods Corporation
• H. Kenneth Johnson, vice president of meat science for the
National Live Stock and Meat Board; executive director of
the National Cattlemen's Beef Association
• Ray Kroc, founder and chairman of McDonald's
Corporation (deceased)
• Dr. Roger Mandigo, professor at the animal science
department of the University of Nebraska
• Robert E. Rust, professor emeritus, animal science at Iowa
State University
• Col. Harland Sanders, founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken
(deceased)
• Dr. Jeff W. Savell, regents professor and E.M. "Manny"
Rosenthal, chairholder in animal science at Texas A&M
University
• Deven Scott, vice president - member services for the
American Meat Institute; executive vice president of
NAMP
• Dave Thomas, founder, CEO, Wendy's Old Fashioned
Hamburgers (deceased)
-staff
10 Canadian Meat Business September/October 2010 meatbusiness.ca