Sara Lee Frozen Bakery, a leading North American manufacturer of premium frozen baked goods, has announced the appointment of Peter Laport as its new Chief Executive Officer. Laport succeeds Craig Bahner, who is stepping down after an eight-year tenure leading the company.
The leadership transition comes as the company, backed by private equity firm Kohlberg & Company, looks to initiate its next phase of growth. Laport’s strategic mandate will focus on strengthening organisational culture, deepening partnerships with foodservice and retail customers, and advancing operational excellence across its manufacturing footprint.
Deep CPG and Supply Chain Experience
Laport joins Sara Lee Frozen Bakery with over three decades of leadership experience across the consumer packaged goods (CPG) and food manufacturing sectors. He is recognised for his expertise in supply chain management, enterprise leadership, and guiding organisations through complex transformations.
Most recently, Laport served as CEO of Arctic Glacier Premium Ice, where he was credited with improving performance and positioning the business for long-term value creation. His previous resume includes senior leadership and operational roles at several heavyweight food and beverage organisations:
Bakkavor USA
Ready Pac Foods / Bonduelle Fresh Americas
Dunkin’ Brands
Nestlé
“Sara Lee Frozen Bakery is a trusted brand with talented people and products that matter in everyday moments,” said Laport regarding his appointment.
“I’m honoured to work alongside this talented team to build on the Company’s solid foundation, strengthen our culture and customer relationships, and drive preference among consumers and foodservice customers by delivering consistent quality and trusted performance.”
Private Equity Backing and Strategic Outlook
The appointment underscores Kohlberg & Company's focus on operational discipline as a driver of value in the competitive frozen bakery category.
Gus Harwood, Partner at Kohlberg, commented on the leadership shift: “Peter brings a rare combination of enterprise leadership, operational discipline, and a people-centred approach to Sara Lee Frozen Bakery. His ability to align strategy, teams, and execution makes him exceptionally well-suited to spearhead the Company’s exciting next chapter."
Harwood also acknowledged the outgoing CEO, adding, "We are grateful to Craig for the role he has played in positioning the business for long-term success."
Bahner, who oversaw the establishment of the company's current operational foundation, stated he is confident in the brand's future success under Laport's leadership as it continues to navigate the demands of both the retail freezer aisle and high-volume foodservice channels.
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