The Maschhoffs Ranks in Top Ten on Global Production Scale
Folks around the country, particularly in Illinois, have always known that The Maschhoffs is one of the larger and more progressive pork production companies in the United States. The company, owned by the fifth-generation of Maschhoffs, Ken and Dave; and their wives, Julie and Karen, has been in business in Clinton County for over 40 years. Recently, a research group studied the largest pork producers in the world and compiled a list, ranking The Maschhoffs number nine in production worldwide among 27 producers with at least 100,000 sows.
“In college in the ‘70s, I thought a lot about what it would be like to be the number one pork producer in Illinois,” co-owner and chairman Ken Maschhoff says. “At the time, Tyson foods was the largest pork producer and I always admired their size and scope. Now we’re 25 times what they were at the time and ranking on a global scale. It’s a tremendously humbling experience to think that two boys from Southern Illinois have grown to this level.”
In addition to topping global lists, The Maschhoffs is the largest family-owned pork producer in the world. The fifth-generation currently owns and operates the company with some of the sixth-generation of Maschhoffs, Josh, Ryan and Ryan’s wife Amy, working in the family business as well.
Outside of the pork business, the family has other ownership interests in companies ranging from asphalt and paving to fire safety and security systems. Just last year, the St. Louis Business Journal ranked The Maschhoffs as the 17th largest privately-held company in the region, and the company has routinely topped their “fastest-growing” list as well.
The Clinton County-based business now operates in nine states with roughly 1,300 employees, boasting a number four ranking in the United States with just shy of 220,000 sows. The Clinton/Washington county operations make up three percent of total operations and more than 12 percent of employment.
“We could not be successful without our people helping to make this business what it is,” Maschhoff says. “The sheer expertise and dedication of our employees and Production Partners, coupled with volume and innovation, is what keeps us competitive in the industry. We strive to stay competitive as the global pork industry grows in the coming years.”
To view the list in its entirety, visit http://www.nationalhogfarmer.com/global-mega-producer.