Ian Schenkel Haliburton
Founder
Ian Schenkel of Newport Beach is a mechanical engineer turned entrepreneur with more than three decades of experience in the food industry. Based in Newport Beach, California, he has built a professional path that bridges technical knowledge with business expertise. His career has included machinery design, large-scale food manufacturing, private labeling, and product development. He is widely recognized as the founder of a food manufacturing company that has remained steady and successful for over thirty years, despite the challenges of a highly competitive market.
What makes his approach distinctive is his ability to create systems that last. Whether he is working on new products or refining production processes, he combines an engineer’s discipline with the adaptability of a business leader.
Early Career and Technical Roots
His foundation began with a degree in mechanical engineering. This background gave him the tools to understand complex systems and improve them. Early in his career, he worked on building machinery that would later serve as an essential part of the food production processes he would manage. These experiences gave him valuable insight into the role technology plays in ensuring consistent quality.
Unlike many entrepreneurs who focus on marketing first, he entered the food industry with a technical mindset. Ian Schenkel Haliburton understood the machinery itself, its design, and the efficiency it could create. He also realized that saving even a few seconds in production time could translate into many hours of efficiency across a full year of operations.
From Manufacturing to Entrepreneurship
Before establishing his own business, he gained vast experience in different areas of the food industry. In private labeling, he learned how to protect brand identity while still meeting the needs of large-scale production. Ian also developed practical knowledge in specialized processes such as frozen vegetables and fire roasting.
When he decided to start his own company, he knew it would not be easy. The food industry is marked by tight margins, complicated supply chains, and changing consumer demands. Still, he was determined to create a company that could adapt to these challenges without ever losing focus on quality.
That decision proved successful. Over the years, his company has refined its processes, expanded into new product lines, and maintained its place as one of the few businesses able to last more than three decades in such a demanding field.
Keys to Running a Lasting Food Business
For Schenkel, lasting success in food manufacturing does not come from following every new trend. Instead, it comes from focusing on the essentials and applying them consistently. His philosophy is based on four key principles:
- Quality Control: A company’s reputation is created in the factory. Every stage, from sourcing materials to packaging, must meet strict standards.
- Operational Efficiency: Reducing waste and improving workflows keeps costs under control while protecting product quality.
- Adaptability: The food industry changes constantly, and businesses must be able to adjust to new consumer preferences, regulations, and technology.
- Team Development: Employees are at the heart of every business. He invests in training and building a culture where contributions are valued.
These guiding principles have helped his company stay competitive while earning the trust of customers and partners.
Leadership in Action
His leadership style combines technical skill with strategic direction. Ian uses both data and the lessons learned from years of experience to make decisions. Known for being approachable but decisive, he balances listening to his team with keeping long-term goals in focus.
In Newport Beach, he has also built strong connections with local suppliers, distributors, and business partners. His fairness and reliability have established trust and strengthened relationships across the community.
Lessons Learned Over 30+ Years
In more than three decades, Schenkel has seen economic shifts, changes in consumer preferences, and ongoing advances in technology. From these experiences, he has learned that lasting success is rarely the result of one significant achievement. Instead, it is the outcome of minor, steady improvements carried out consistently over time.
He often remarks that staying in business can be more complicated than starting one. Supply chain interruptions, pricing pressures, and new regulations are constant challenges. Surviving and growing requires persistence and adaptability.
This year marks 33 years since the founding of his company, a milestone that reflects not only his endurance but also the trust and relationships built over that time. For him, the achievement is not only about the number of years but also about the people who contributed to that success.
Beyond the Office
Outside of his professional role, Ian enjoys spending time on the water or the golf course. These activities demand patience, strategy, and flexibility—qualities that also apply to his work.
He also values his connection to Haliburton, where the natural surroundings provide balance and perspective. Time spent there offers him a change of pace from business life and a reminder of the importance of balance.
Looking Forward
Even after more than three decades, Schenkel continues to look ahead. He focuses on developing new products, exploring sustainable practices, and staying aligned with evolving consumer expectations.
His engineering background gives him a unique advantage in applying new technologies such as automation and advanced systems. However, he believes technology should support rather than replace human expertise, since true quality comes from skilled people.
A Career Defined by Consistency and Adaptability
From his early career as a mechanical engineer to his current role as the founder of a successful food manufacturing company, his professional path has been defined by consistency, adaptability, and focus.
Whether he is working in Newport Beach or finding balance in Haliburton, he continues to apply the same principles he began with: focus on quality, keep operations efficient, and stay adaptable.
Through every stage of his journey, Ian Schenkel has demonstrated that success in business does not come from short-term wins but from creating systems and relationships built to last.