Clemens Food group, one of the nation’s largest pork processors, has purchased a family-owned pork producer in a “strategic purchase” that will expand both operations.
According to Lancaster Online, Clemens Food Group said it would keep the Kunzler factories and the Kunzler brand, which dates back to 1901. The company has not said what will happen to employees as it integrates Kunzler’s Lancaster factory, located at its headquarters at 652 Manor St. and two Blair County factories as well as its headquarters employees.
Clemens Food Group said the strategic locations of the plants align with the company’s goals to expand support for Pennsylvania’s agriculture and food processing industry.
Kunzler & Co. makes hot dogs, Lebanon bologna, bacon, ham and other meat products and posts estimated annual sales of $150 million, the article said. The 123-year-old regional pork producer has two plants in Tyrone, Pa., and one in Lancaster County, Pa., where Clemens also operates one of its facilities that stretch across multiple states.
In a statement, former Kunzler president Chris Kunzler said, “It has been an honor and a privilege for the Kunlzer family to have been invited to the table of our customers for over 120 years, but now is the right time to pass the company reins. We found a great steward to carry on the Kunzler family legacy and we look forward, with joy and anticipation, to what they will do to enhance and grow the brand and product offerings.”
Kunzler was founded by German immigrant Christian Kunzler, who invested his $700 life savings to launch a sausage manufacturing business in Lancaster, Pa. Clemens is a sixth-generation family-owned business that has offered pork products for foodservice, manufacturing customers and retail since 1895.
