04/21/2006: McCormack Distributing Recognized by Broaster for 50 Years of Service

Left to Right: Bob Glisar, Pam Arens, John Ribando, and Darwin Olson of
McCormack Distributing Company display their 50-Year Service Award
plaque and two Sales Award plaques recently presented to them
by The Broaster Company for outstanding performance.

Beloit, WI, April 21, 2006 – McCormack Distributing Company, Inc., of Le Mars, Iowa, was recently recognized by The Broaster Company of Beloit, Wisconsin, for completing over 50 years of service as an Authorized Broaster Distributor. Richard Schrank, Broaster’s President/ COO, and Tracy Choppi, Broaster’s Vice President of Systems Sales, were on hand to present a 50-year service award plaque to the four principals of the firm – John Ribando, Owner/CEO; Pam Arens, General Manager; Darwin Olson, Service Manager; and Bob Glisar, Sales Manager – a team that has been working together since the early 1980’s to make the firm one of the top foodservice equipment distributors in North America. McCormack Distributing Company’s customers include independent operators as well as many major fast food, supermarket, convenience store chains.

The two companies began their over half-century association in 1955 when McCormack was appointed as an authorized distributor for Broaster, a manufacturing company established just one year earlier to produce equipment utilizing a revolutionary new cooking process called pressure frying. Since then Broaster has expanded into a leading marketer of branded food programs, foodservice equipment and supplies, and top quality frozen food products, while McCormack has become one of The Broaster Company’s leading sales producers, winning many of the awards that The Broaster Company presents to its distributors of distinction including the President’s Award, Distributor of the Year Award, and several Salesperson of the Year Awards. Additionally, Broaster executives credit McCormack with being instrumental in the development and success of some of their most popular products.

Located in the city of Le Mars in northwest Iowa, McCormack Distributing serves customers in Iowa, Nebraska, and North and South Dakota with a dedicated team of individuals that includes 6 regional sales managers, 17 service personnel, 2 parts and supply people, and 6 administrative employees. “The reason we have been able to consistently service this area for so long is our commitment to assist and partner with our foodservice customers by providing quality equipment, product, service, and support programs to their businesses,” says John Ribando, McCormack’s owner and CEO. “We represent our manufacturers professionally, and we’re committed to providing a quality work environment to our employees as well.”

To accommodate the increasing demand for their popular lines of Broaster, Taylor, and Flavorburst foodservice products, the company moved to a new building in January of 2005 – a 23,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art structure with a larger warehouse, shop, parts department, demo kitchen, and showroom area custom designed to fit the firm’s expanding distribution and demonstration needs. 

“This team truly takes pride in helping their customers,” adds Broaster’s president, Richard Schrank. “Whether it is supplying training to them in the use of our equipment or working with them in the development of menus, facility floor plans, and food pricing, the McCormack staff is happy to assist their customers in every aspect of their business. We feel lucky to have them as one of our valued distributors and we look forward to another 50 years of partnership with them for our common and continued growth.”

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