Monogram Comfort Foods Grand Opening

July 28, 2009

The Monogram Management team and Board of Directors were on hand to participate in the official opening of the Monogram Comfort Foods plant in Muncie, Indiana. Chairman of the Board/CEO Karl Schledwitz and President Wes Jackson both spoke regarding the hard work and investment Monogram has made in Delaware County and graciously thanked our community partners for their efforts in making this event a reality.

Dignitaries and guests attending included Mayor Sharon McShurley, members of the City Council, the Economic Development Council and our banking partners, First Merchant's Bank. Media coverage was provided by the Muncie Star Press. The event featured plant tours and a Corn Dog and Smoked Sausage lunch.

Muncie Mayor Sharon McShurley prepares to cut the ribbon at the official Grand Opening of the Monogram Comfort Foods plant in Muncie, Indiana.

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Corn dog makers give shout-outs

Muncie Star Press - Biz Blog

July 28, 2009 - by Keith Roysdon, Muncie Star Press Business Editor

Local officials got their next economic development slogan during Tuesday’s open house for Monogram Comfort Foods.

Monogram, based in Memphis, Tenn., bought longtime local pork patty producer Al Pete Meats in 2008 and has expanded the company’s East Willard Street plant, turning out thousands of hot dogs and Pete’s Pride pork fritters.

In the process, the company has increased employment to about 45 people, with plans for 100 employees or more within months.

During the open house, Monogram president Wes Jackson gave local economic development efforts a shout-out that could be the centerpiece of future efforts to attract business investment.

Noting that Monogram has facilities in Memphis and Minnesota, Jackson said the company has been more than pleased with the cooperation of local officials in their expansion plans.

“There has been no better business hospitality anywhere we do business than in Muncie,” Jackson said.

Mayor Sharon McShurley, chamber of commerce president Jay Julian and others were among those who showed up for the open house, which included a cookout and tour of the recently renovated plant.

First Merchants Bank president Jack Demaree and other bank officers were also on hand, which prompted a good line from Karl Schledwitz, Monogram’s CEO.

After pointing out the bankers, Schledwitz said, “If you know either one, put in a good word, because we’ve got some loans outstanding.”

Star Press Biz Blog

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Corn dog maker growing in Muncie

Muncie Star Press

July 29, 2009 - by Keith Roysdon, Muncie Star Press Business Editor

On a quiet street on the city's east side, a corn dog dynasty is growing.

Local officials got a glimpse into that world on Tuesday, when Monogram Comfort Foods held an open house for its local corn dog and pork fritter plant.

The plant, in the 2300 block of East Willard Street, isn't new. The plant has turned out pork patties for decades under the name Al Pete Meats, and longtime owner John Hartmeyer is still part of the operation.

But Monogram, a Memphis, Tenn., company that bought Al Pete Meats in mid-2008, is taking the plant to new heights.

"By the end of the summer, every corn dog in Kroger stores will be made here," company CEO Karl Schledwitz told the crowd.

And the company's plans don't stop there. Monogram, which now makes hot dogs elsewhere and coats them with breading here, hopes to secure funding and tax breaks that would allow it to build an adjacent hot dog plant.

The past year has seen substantial growth for the company, which produces 12,800 pounds of corn dogs per shift per production line and thousands of pounds of Pete's Pride pork fritters.

Plant manager Greg Staley said the plant has increased employment from 16 workers to 45 in a few months.

"We'll go into 2010 with (more than) 100 people at this plant," Monogram Meat Snacks president Ches Jackson said.

The company recently predicted that the local payroll would amount to $20 million within three years.

A crowd that included Mayor Sharon McShurley, chamber of commerce officials and local business figures gathered for Tuesday's open house of the plant, which has seen millions of dollars in remodeling and improvements in the past year.

Besides the tour, the visitors were treated to grilled hot dogs and sausages and -- of course -- corn dogs.

Monogram officials said they found a ready workforce locally. Marketing vice president Kathy Mullins said the company has been conducting job fairs.

Monogram president Wes Jackson said the company could add as many as 100 jobs, and Schledwitz said the economy in Delaware County -- where unemployment reached 11.7 percent in June -- helped that goal.

"Unfortunately, a lot of good people need jobs, and we're taking advantage of that," he said.

Muncie Star Press article