Ian Schenkel of Newport Beach
Founder in Newport Beach, California, United States
Ian Schenkel of Newport Beach is a mechanical engineer turned entrepreneur with more than thirty years of experience in the food industry. Living in Newport Beach, California, he has built a career that connects engineering knowledge with business practice. Over time, his work has covered machinery design, food manufacturing, private labeling, and product development. He is best known as the founder of a food manufacturing company that has remained strong in a highly competitive market for more than three decades.
His journey began with a degree in mechanical engineering, which gave him the skills to understand and improve systems. In the early part of his career, he focused on designing and building machinery, a foundation that later became essential when he moved into food production. Unlike many who enter the field from sales or marketing, he started with technical knowledge. Ian Schenkel Haliburton understood how vital reliable equipment was and how even minor efficiency improvements could lead to significant time savings when measured over long periods.
Before creating his own business, he worked across several parts of the food industry. Private labeling taught him how to manage production while still protecting brand identity. Schenkel also gained hands-on experience with specialized food manufacturing processes, including frozen vegetables and fire roasting. When he decided to build his own company, he understood the challenges of the industry. Margins were tight, supply chains complex, and consumer demands often unpredictable. Still, his focus was on developing a business model that could adapt without losing quality.
That approach proved successful. His company refined its operations, expanded into new areas, and became one of the few long-standing players in the industry. Ian built the business on core principles: strong quality control, efficiency in operations, adaptability to change, and investment in people. Training and developing staff was always a priority, as he believed the strength of the company relied on its workforce.
His leadership style combines technical expertise with strategic decision-making. He values both data and experience while keeping sight of long-term goals. Beyond the office, he enjoys activities such as boating and golf, which provide balance and require the same patience and focus found in business. His connection to Haliburton also gives him time away from the daily demands of work, offering space for reflection.
Over more than three decades, he has seen markets shift, technology evolve, and consumer preferences change, yet his philosophy has stayed consistent. Success comes not from one single breakthrough but from steady improvements carried out over time. With 33 years in business, his company reflects both endurance and the trust built with employees, partners, and customers. From his first steps as an engineer to his long career as an entrepreneur, Ian Schenkel continues to show that lasting success is built on quality, efficiency, and adaptability.