About Us

Our Values


Mission

We strive to delight consumers as the preferred manufacturer of premium, crafted meat snacks.

World Class Hospitality

Our business is a service and so we think like a hospitality company. We provide value through world class service, manufacturing expertise and supply chain operations.

Team Member Growth and Happiness

We create an environment for associates to thrive through training, tools and a safe workplace.

Stakeholder Success

We thrive through absolute commitment to all stakeholders: community, customers, employees and vendors.

Community & Environment

We support brands and suppliers in their missions to bring sustainable, ethical and healthy products to consumers.

Meet The Team



Matt Bormann
Chief Executive Officer

Doug Hankes
Chief Product Officer

Peter Sikorski
Chief Financial Officer

Crystal Bohm
Chief Human Resources Officer

Paul Curlee
Vice President of Operations

Randy Krahmer
Vice President of Information Technology
Laura Williams
R&D & Continuous Improvement Senior Manager

John Keech
Plant Manager- Springfield Facility

Tony Campbell
Plant Manager- Galesburg Facility

Roland Vorwaldt
Plant Manager-Burlington Facility

Curtiss Kellison
Plant Manager- Greentop Facility

Brad Turasky
Director of Supply Chain Strategy

Roberto Giuliano
FSQA Director

History


Western’s Smokehouse
Greentop, MO
Galesburg Overhead View
Thrushwood Farms
Galesburg, IL

Western’s Smokehouse and Thrushwood Farms were separately founded in 1978 by Sam Western and Jim Hankes. They met each other through the industry and became fast Friends.

Soon enough, the second generation emerged. Kevin Western and Doug Hankes grew up in the industry together. Each had coincidentally decided to start making meat snacks.

With a shared passion, the two stayed in touch and shared ideas and best practices.

Eventually Western’s brought in a strategic partner to help grow the company. After a large facility expansion, Western’s and Thrushwood decided to combine. The Western and Hankes families remain large shareholders today.

Today we remain true to our family owned heritage and strive to provide the best service to our customers.