81 Millennium - Twenty-third Edition BUSINESS, FINANCE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP In 2016, Kevin Louis Forrest witnessed the end of an era when his fourth-generation family-run foodservice business, EG Forrest Company, was sold to Merchants Foodservice. He stayed on for one year as a district sales manager but left the company in 2018. While he may not have realized it at the time, this departure marked a turning point in his life that would launch a new entrepreneurial venture. Today, Mr. Forrest is the chief executive officer of Bevara HPP Tolling Services in North Carolina. The company utilizes a high-pressure processing (HPP) toller to preserve food using water and pressure, not heat or additives. As a result, harmful microorganisms and enzymes are inactivated, dramatically extending shelf life while preserving texture, taste and nutritional value. Bevara HPP aims to meet consumer demand for safe, fresh and flavorful products along the East Coast. Upon the closure of his family’s business, Mr. Forrest joined Village Juice Company in 2018 as the manager of supply chain, logistics and purchasing. It was here that he discovered HPP technology. However, before starting his company, he saw an opportunity to expand his skills in a new field as general manager of the mid-Atlantic region for Style Crest®, a building supply company. In this position, he led two sales teams, oversaw a 100,000-square-foot facility and increased revenue by 40%. Still, Mr. Forrest could not overlook the potential of HPP technology. His belief was bolstered while working at Village Juice & Kitchen, where products were processed at an HPP facility, expanding their shelf life by 90 to 120 days without compromising nutrients. He saw endless applications for the technology. Mr. Forrest officially established Bevara HPP in 2025 with one machine. Though the business has not yet launched commercial sales, demand has already nearly filled three production shifts. A second machine will be needed before the first one reaches full operational capacity. While the path has been difficult at times, Mr. Forrest believes HPP technology can deliver fresh food without unhealthy additives or preservatives. He is also fully committed to utilizing HPP technology to enhance food safety. KEVIN LOUIS FORREST CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Bevara HPP Tolling Services Winston-Salem, NC
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