BOLINGBROOK, IL, JANUARY 15, 2010 North Star Foods, Inc. a protein
processing (poultry, pork and beef) company serving the industrial, retail and
foodservice sectors and Quantum Foods, LLC, one of the worlds largest and
most technologically advanced food processors, announced today that they will
combine operations into a single food company. The move combines two
successful and uniquely compatible companies into a single organization
Quantum Foods — now capable of offering an even more diverse line of custommenu
solutions for national and regional chains, including full-service and quickservice
restaurants.
We will be able to harness the unparalleled industry knowledge,
technologies and expertise within these two organizations to fully benefit the
customer, Edward Bleka, Quantum Foods President & Chief Executive Officer
(CEO) and its founder said. This combination represents a very bold step as we
seek sustainable long-term growth and the ability to deliver the best products and
service possible, he added.
We also believe this move will accelerate the capabilities of Quantum
Foods new products development and it will significantly differentiate us in the
marketplace, Bleka added.
Combining both companies will enable us to immediately address our
total customer needs and offer unique custom menus with a broad array of multiprotein options, said Patrick Thesing, Vice President, North Star Foods and its
co-owner.
North Star Foods was founded in 1971 in Saint Charles, Minnesota. In
April 2009 a fire completely destroyed its meat and poultry processing plant in
southeastern Minnesota resulting in the loss of 250 jobs. Quantum Foods has
been one of several companies helping to serve North Star Foods customers
since the fire.
Founded in 1990 as a hand-cut butcher operation, Quantum Foods
became a custom-menu source for national and regional chains and an important
co-packer to the nations largest retailers as well as serving the foodservice
needs of the hospitality industry. Quantum Foods also provides its high quality
products to many recognized food companies and since 1994 it has been
providing nutritious and convenient meals to the United States military.
Prior to the fire, North Star Foods engaged in processing, packing and
selling chicken, turkey, beef, pork and other food products. Chicken, turkey and
beef rolls, diced meat, specialty wings, chicken and turkey medallions, chicken
tenders as well as diced and shreds and custom marinating were among the
products it offered to the industrial, retail and foodservice sectors.
North Star Foods has actively explored and evaluated various options to
rebuild its plant or acquire an existing facility and focus operations in Saint
Charles or nearby. Considerations including market conditions and the cost
associated with constructing or acquiring a new facility compelled North Star
Foods to end its operations in Saint Charles.
Our goal has always been to provide North Star Foods customers with
the highest possible level of responsiveness, service and product quality. We
firmly believe we can continue our customer commitment with Quantum Foods,
Thesing said.
According to Thesing, a new food processing research center may be
located in or near Saint Charles. The center would focus on developing even
more innovative ways in providing protein foodservice products and mass
production. Quantum Foods has a Research and Development Culinary Center
located at the companys headquarters in Bolingbrook, Illinois.
We want to have the facilities, talent and experience to work closely with
customers and prospects to formulate and test new protein products. Quantum
Foods believes it is essential to turn food insights into desired products and
increased success rates that add significant value to customers. Bleka added.
North Star Foods co-owners Thesing and Brad Arndt will continue in
active leadership and customer contact roles in the combined business. In
addition, several of North Star Foods remaining employees will be working with
Quantum Foods in operating, sales and research & development positions.
Quantum Foods has more than 1,500 employees who work in two
production plants and one distribution center on the Bolingbrook, Illinois campus.
Source: Quantum Foods LLC
