Ian Schenkel of Newport Beach

Founder

Ian Schenkel of Newport Beach is a mechanical engineer turned entrepreneur who has dedicated more than thirty years to the food industry. Living in Newport Beach, California, he has built a reputation for combining technical knowledge with business experience. His professional journey has included designing machinery, managing large-scale food production, private labeling, and product development. Today, he is best recognized as the founder of a food manufacturing company that has remained stable and successful for over three decades despite an industry known for rapid change.

What makes him stand out is his ability to design systems that are built to last. Whether developing new products or enhancing production processes, he applies the precision of an engineer with the problem-solving mindset of an entrepreneur.

Early Career and Technical Roots

His career started with a degree in mechanical engineering, which gave him the skills to understand systems in depth. In the early years, he built machines that later became essential for food production. This early work shaped his technical understanding and helped him approach food manufacturing with an engineer’s eye for efficiency.

Rather than beginning with marketing strategies like many new entrepreneurs, he brought technical knowledge into the field. He understood how well-built machinery could improve reliability in food processing. Ian Schenkel Haliburton also recognized the importance of time, knowing that even seconds saved in production accumulate into many hours of efficiency across a year.

From Manufacturing to Entrepreneurship

Before launching his own business, Ian worked in different areas of the food sector. Through private labeling, he learned how to balance brand requirements with the realities of large-scale production. His experience also included specialized techniques, such as frozen vegetable processing and fire roasting.

When he decided to start his own company, he was aware of the challenges ahead. The food industry is known for slim profit margins, complex supply chains, and consumer preferences that change quickly. Still, he aimed to build a company that could adapt while maintaining strong quality standards.

That decision proved to be the right one. Over the years, the company expanded into new business areas, improved operations, and became one of the few long-term players in a competitive industry.

Keys to Running a Lasting Food Business

For Schenkel, success does not come from following every new market trend. Instead, it comes from focusing on core principles and applying them consistently. Some of the most essential practices he emphasizes include:

This practical approach has helped the company remain competitive while developing strong relationships with customers and partners.

Leadership in Action

His leadership style combines technical expertise with strategic thinking. Ian uses both data-driven analysis and the instincts developed from years of experience. Known for being approachable yet firm in decisions, he listens to his team while keeping focus on long-term goals.

In Newport Beach, he is also recognized for supporting local partnerships. By working closely with suppliers, distributors, and business partners, he has built a reputation for fairness and reliability.

Lessons Learned Over 30+ Years

Over more than three decades, he has experienced shifts in the economy, evolving consumer preferences, and advancements in technology. One of the main lessons he has learned is that lasting success comes from steady improvements rather than single breakthroughs.

Schenkel often reflects that staying in business is more difficult than starting one. The ability to withstand supply chain disruptions, pricing pressures, and regulatory adjustments requires determination and resilience.

This year marks 33 years since the founding of his company, an achievement that highlights his ability to build something lasting in such a demanding industry. What he values most, however, are the relationships, trust, and shared accomplishments built over those years.

Beyond the Office

Outside of work, he spends time on the water or the golf course. Both activities require patience, strategy, and the ability to adapt to changing conditions, qualities that mirror his approach to business.

Ian also maintains a connection to Haliburton, a place that offers a refreshing balance from his professional responsibilities. Surrounded by nature, it provides perspective and a reminder of the importance of balance between work and life.

Looking Forward

Although his company has already established itself in the industry, he continues to look for improvements. This includes developing new products, adopting more sustainable practices, and keeping up with shifting consumer expectations.

With his engineering background, Schenkel sees opportunities in automation, advanced inventory systems, and updated production methods. Still, he believes that technology should enhance human expertise rather than replace it, since skilled people remain central to maintaining real quality.

A Career Defined by Consistency and Adaptability

From his beginnings as a mechanical engineer to his role today as the founder of a long-standing food manufacturing company, his career has been marked by consistency and adaptability.

Whether managing operations in Newport Beach or finding balance in Haliburton, he has always relied on the same principles: focus on quality, maintain efficiency, and keep evolving.

In every stage of his career, Ian Schenkel has shown that success is not about quick gains but about building something that endures over time.