Food Chain - Issue 200 - June 2024 | Page 153

_________________________________________________________________________________________________ Gielow
Pickles
It includes various types of refrigerated pickles ranging from wholes , to spears and chips , with flavors like Kosher , Dill , and Bread and Butter . We also offer a superior refrigerated sweet relish , which offers a fresh take on old favorites and is ideal for burgers , hot dogs , and as an ingredient in potato salad , Thousand Island dressing or alongside tuna . Lastly , Gielow provides a selection of banana peppers and jalapeno peppers , as well as pepper relish , which are all preservative-free and made with turmeric ,” Craig highlights .
With this comprehensive product portfolio under its belt , Gielow is now expanding its manufacturing footprint with new operations taking place in Lexington , Michigan . “ During the pandemic , like many businesses in the food service sector , Gielow experienced significant reductions in business . Despite this , our growth has rebounded very well , even surpassing pre-pandemic levels , thus presenting us with the need for further expansion . Currently , we are expanding our Michigan distribution center , which is set to have doubled in size by June 2024 . Gielow is seeking to grow its distribution facilities in Washington and Florida , too . Additionally , a new manufacturing facility is scheduled for construction in Michigan in 2025 . Our continued growth in the food service segment , driven by the introduction of new product lines along with anticipated growth in the retail sector , fuels our need for these additional facilities ,” explains Craig .
Innovative solutions
Moving forward , Craig reveals Gielow ’ s secret to fostering positive and enduring relationships with its network of suppliers . “ One key factor which contributed to Gielow ’ s rapid and strong growth in the midst of the pandemic was its longstanding relationship with suppliers . The traditional model of just-in-time inventory supply was in trouble , prompting the need for
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