Beginning of this month, local pork processor Webster City Custom Meats Inc. became a division of Midwest Quality Wholesale Inc.
Midwest Quality Wholesale Inc. is a subsidiary of Boone-based Fareway Stores Inc.
Phil Voge, vice president of WC Custom Meats, stated that the local company will maintain its Webster City Custom Meats brand, but labels will now read: Webster City Custom Meats, a division of MQW Inc.
Voge and Connie Ingraham, the former president of Webster City Custom Meats, are vice presidents of the new organization.
Wednesday, Voge stated, “I don’t believe we could have been more philosophically aligned with another buyer than Fareway.”
He utilized the terms consistency and stability to characterize the transition.
He stated, “They will do nothing but improve the business and take us to a new level.”
Aaron Irlbeck will take over as the new local supervisor; he is currently employed in Boone.
Voge stated that Webster City Custom Meats’ Bell’s Mill and Prairie Gold labels will remain unchanged. The processor already produces products for Fareway under the supermarket’s private trademark.
In addition, employees of the swine processor located at 1620 E. Second St. in Webster City have been assured that their employment will be safe during the transition.
Voge stated that he and Ingraham will gradually withdraw from daily operations. He anticipates that they will work fewer and fewer hours until perhaps the end of the year.
In July, Voge will celebrate 45 years as vice president of Webster City Custom Meats. Eleven years ago, when he was presented with the opportunity to become a partial proprietor of the business, he recognized the good fortune he embraced.
“We were given the opportunity to purchase the company in 2012,” he said, adding, “We are passing the baton.”
Concerning Webster City Custom Meats
Webster City Custom Meats has been in operation for fifty years “and has been a good business,” according to Voge.
According to its website, it specializes in custom processing of smoked ham, smoked bacon, smoked turkeys, fresh sausage products, boneless ham roasts, and smoked pork loins.
The primary facility and warehouse are located on the east side of Webster City. The commercial complex also includes a vehicle garage measuring 9000 square feet.
