Sara Lee Frozen Bakery Appoints Peter Laport as Chief Executive Officer
Sara Lee Frozen Bakery, a leading manufacturer of premium frozen baked goods serving retail and foodservice customers across North America, has announced the appointment of Peter Laport as its new Chief Executive Officer. He succeeds Craig Bahner, who is stepping down after eight years of leadership at the company.
The leadership transition marks a significant milestone for the organization as it prepares to enter its next chapter of growth and strategic development. With a strong heritage rooted in quality, consistency, and trusted consumer brands, Sara Lee Frozen Bakery is positioning itself to further strengthen its market presence under Laport’s guidance.
A Strategic Leadership Transition
Laport brings more than three decades of executive leadership experience in consumer-packaged goods and food businesses across North America and international markets. Over the course of his career, he has built a reputation for strengthening organizations, aligning teams around clear and achievable strategies, and delivering disciplined operational execution.
The Board and ownership group see this transition as an opportunity to build on the solid operational and cultural foundation established under Bahner’s leadership. During his tenure, Bahner helped reinforce the company’s manufacturing capabilities, strengthen customer relationships, and position the business for long-term stability and success.
As Laport steps into the CEO role, he is expected to focus on advancing operational excellence, enhancing product quality, and driving sustainable growth. His leadership style, centered on collaboration and accountability, aligns closely with the company’s long-standing values and customer-first approach.
Focus on Growth, Culture, and Customer Partnerships
In his remarks, Laport expressed appreciation for the opportunity to lead an organization with such a respected brand legacy. He emphasized that Sara Lee Frozen Bakery’s strong brand equity, talented workforce, and portfolio of high-quality products provide a robust platform for continued expansion.
He outlined several immediate priorities, including strengthening the company’s leadership structure, fostering a high-performance culture, and deepening strategic partnerships with customers across retail and foodservice channels. By focusing on innovation, consistent product performance, and customer satisfaction, Laport aims to drive preference among consumers while maintaining the operational reliability valued by business partners.
Operational excellence will also remain a key pillar of the company’s forward strategy. Laport has consistently demonstrated the ability to streamline processes, enhance supply chain effectiveness, and improve manufacturing performance without compromising quality. Under his leadership, Sara Lee Frozen Bakery is expected to continue investing in systems, talent development, and continuous improvement initiatives to remain competitive in a dynamic marketplace.
Support from Ownership and Leadership Team
The company’s owner, Kohlberg, expressed strong confidence in Laport’s appointment. According to Gus Harwood, Partner at Kohlberg, Laport brings a rare combination of enterprise leadership, operational discipline, and a people-centered management approach.
Harwood noted that Laport’s ability to align strategic direction with execution makes him exceptionally well-suited to guide the company through its next phase. The ownership group views this transition not only as a change in leadership but as a continuation of a carefully designed growth trajectory.
At the same time, Kohlberg acknowledged the contributions of Bahner, thanking him for his dedication and for establishing a solid operational framework that will support the company’s long-term ambitions.
Craig Bahner’s Legacy and Contributions
Craig Bahner’s eight-year tenure as CEO was marked by significant organizational progress. He helped build a resilient operational foundation and strengthened internal capabilities that positioned the company for stability in an evolving food industry landscape.
Under his leadership, Sara Lee Frozen Bakery enhanced its production efficiency, invested in manufacturing infrastructure, and reinforced relationships with key customers. Bahner emphasized his pride in the company’s achievements and expressed confidence in Laport’s ability to build upon the progress already made.
His departure represents a planned transition rather than a disruption, as the organization remains focused on continuity and long-term performance.
Extensive Executive Experience Across Leading Brands
Prior to joining Sara Lee Frozen Bakery, Laport most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of Arctic Glacier Premium Ice. During his tenure there, he led a comprehensive transformation initiative that strengthened leadership alignment, improved financial performance, and enhanced operational efficiency. His efforts positioned the business for long-term value creation and sustainable competitiveness.
Earlier in his career, Laport held senior leadership roles at Bakkavor USA, where he contributed to operational improvements and strategic growth initiatives within the fresh prepared foods segment. He also served in executive capacities at Ready Pac Foods, which later became part of Bonduelle Fresh Americas. In these roles, he gained deep experience in supply chain management, innovation, and customer-focused execution.
Laport’s background also includes leadership positions at Dunkin’ Brands, Revlon, and Nestlé. Across these globally recognized organizations, he guided teams through periods of growth, operational complexity, and market change.
His diverse industry experience has equipped him with expertise in enterprise leadership, continuous improvement, large-scale supply chain operations, and brand stewardship. These capabilities are expected to be instrumental as Sara Lee Frozen Bakery navigates competitive pressures and evolving consumer expectations.
Strengthening Operational Excellence and Innovation
Laport’s career has consistently emphasized disciplined execution and measurable performance improvements. He has overseen complex supply chains, driven manufacturing optimization efforts, and implemented innovation pipelines designed to meet changing consumer demands.
At Sara Lee Frozen Bakery, this operational focus is likely to translate into enhanced quality control systems, stronger production consistency, and improved responsiveness to customer needs. The frozen bakery segment requires precision in logistics, temperature-controlled supply chains, and rigorous quality standards—areas where Laport has demonstrated proven leadership.
Innovation will also remain central to the company’s strategy. By leveraging consumer insights and market data, the company aims to expand its product offerings while maintaining the trusted flavors and formats that define its heritage brands.
Positioning for Long-Term Value Creation
As the company moves forward under Laport’s leadership, the overarching goal remains sustainable growth and long-term value creation. This includes strengthening partnerships with foodservice operators, retailers, and distribution networks, while maintaining a consumer-centric mindset.
With the support of Kohlberg and an experienced leadership team, Sara Lee Frozen Bakery is positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities within the frozen and convenience food categories. By combining operational discipline with cultural alignment and customer trust, the company aims to reinforce its competitive standing in a rapidly evolving market environment.
The appointment of Peter Laport signals a new era of leadership for Sara Lee Frozen Bakery—one that builds on a solid operational foundation while embracing innovation, collaboration, and strategic expansion.
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