Luke Rincker may not have the longest tenure with The International Companies, but he was certainly present at the ground floor of its sustainable food waste management company, Green Field Solutions. From farm family and agri-accounting studies to business analyst, global ingredient buyer and now corporate sales, Luke not only has an interesting career journey within the food industry, but also a lifetime of helping feed people.
Now, after several years working with The International Companies’ other business entities (International Ingredient Corporation and International Food Products Corporation), Luke is rejoining the GFS team as the Director of Corporate Sales. We asked him to walk us through the Green Field Solutions story, from the proof of concept that he helped develop to the company’s present day success to its plans for the future.
STEP 1: It Began With all or Nothing
Initially, IIC manufactured animal feed ingredients at its facilities throughout the U.S., and it sold those products worldwide. To support that business, it purchased raw ingredients or co-products from food manufacturers to meet those demands.
In 2015, one of IIC’s clients told Tony Armitage, now General Manager of Green Field Solutions: “We know you really enjoy this one piece of our business. Now, we need you to take all of our waste, including food by-products, inorganic materials, solid waste, recyclables, and anything at all.”
In order to retain the source of that specific raw material, IIC had to figure out what to do with the rest, much of which didn’t fit within the company’s capabilities. That’s when a light bulb went off for Tony.
STEP 2: From Petition to Proof of Concept
After reframing the new conditions as a business opportunity, The International Companies invested in a year-long exercise. Luke was tasked with helping to create a proof of concept for “Total Solutions,” which is present day Green Field Solutions.
“Tony had recognized the opportunity to help food manufacturers not only keep their by-products out of landfills, but also manage their recycling, which IIC wasn’t able to do at the time. Also, IIC’s facilities were purpose built and dedicated to some food by-products but not all food by-products,” said Luke.
“We looked at the potential business activities, how they fit or did not fit into our core business, and how profitable or unprofitable they could be as additions to the current business model or as a different business altogether.”
A year into into the endeavor, and after a very successful pilot program, the proof of concept was complete and the team was given the green light to move forward with Green Field Solutions.
STEP 3: Grow & Stay a Startup
Before there was GFS, there was IIC and IFPC. The creation of each one was the vision of the entrepreneurial Fred Brown. Because of the Brown family’s penchant for innovation, each one of the International Family of Companies is equally as entrepreneurial in its startup story and business approach.
That same enterprising spirit continues to permeate everything from our corporate directive to our daily operations.
“I like to say that The International Companies is a startup — a 50-year-old startup,” Luke said. “We continue to evolve because we challenge ourselves and continually ask questions like: ‘What more can we do?’ and ‘How can we look at this differently?’ It’s a very entrepreneurial way of looking at things. And that is Mr. Brown’s legacy within the organization — his entrepreneurial spirit.”
While the initial concept for GFS happened in 2015, it took the company a few years to officially “get out of the garage.” Then, in 2023 GFS added recycling to its services. The following year, it launched a comprehensive client portal that has reshaped how CPGs interact with data and achieve their sustainability goals. This continual expansion is the true expression of the enterprising spirit that started it all.
STEP 4: Make People the Difference
Working with The International Companies for any length of time, one quickly comes to realize that it’s assertion, people make all the difference is anything but an empty trope. It’s a value shared by its employees as well as its long list of long-time clients, third-party providers and industry partners.
“We understand that we can’t do this alone,” Luke said. “Our employees and partners and relationships are really important. That’s what makes everything go.”
Learn more about the history of Green Field Solutions with these articles:
Luke Rincker
Luke Rincker is the Director of Corporate Sales for Green Field Solutions. His farm upbringing led him to the University of Illinois’ agricultural accounting program and later Washington University in St. Louis’ EMBA program. His journey through the food industry includes farm life, agricultural accountant, data analyst, category manager, as well as leadership roles in procurement and sales.
