August 18, 2004 - Ohio Meat Producer to Expand, Distribute Nationally

by Megan Sweas

A small Ohio meat producer is expanding it plant operations to make organic, gourmet sausages for national distribution.

According to a report by the Columbus Dispatch, Rienschield Finer Meats, of Bremen, Ohio, is investing $1 million in a 26,000-square-foot facility 3 blocks from its original 9,000-square-food building, which will still be used. The company expects the new plant to take over manufacturing by March.

The company, which currently produces sausage sticks, bratwurst, breakfast sausages, baloney and hot dogs, will be able to produce 15,000 pounds of meat product a week with the new facility, up from 2,000 pounds now.

Rienschield's sausages will be marketed as organic, with beef supplied by Ohio State University. The company also hopes to create beef sticks, jerky and energy bars by 2006.

The company will distribute as part of the Ohio Signature Beef program, under Berlin, Ohio-based Troyer Cheese Co.'s label, which sells product in 28 states. Two other distribution contracts are pending.

"To expand into the next phase of our kind of business, you've got to get bigger or you've got to get out," Kenny Rienschield, president and owner, told the paper. "There's no in between."

This article reprinted with permission from Meat Marketing & Technology.

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