There’s a real entrepreneurial spirit that pervades Berks Packing Co., the Reading, PA meat processor that continues as the three-generation Reading, PA meatpacking company celebrates its 90th anniversary. What started as a small, local meat processor by Charles A. Boylan in 1933 has developed into a growing enterprise that services retail, foodservice and convenience store customers primarily in the Mid-Atlantic region.
We recently sat down with David Boylan, president; Joe Boylan, director of human resources; John Buckley, director of operations; David Maurer, CFO; and Brian Pastor, director of sales and marketing to discuss the reasons for the success of the 90-year old company and its outlook on the future.
Key to Berks’ growth over that period has been the continuity and stability provided by family members including brothers David, Joe, Tim and Peter, and the many family members who remain vital to the business. Both brothers noted the impact that their father, Charles P. Boylan, had in shaping the business. At 95, Charles P. remains an active part of the business and all told Charles P., and his wife Teresa, had 11 children, all who were involved in some aspect of the business over the past 40 years. Today, there are still six Boylan family members who remain active in the business.
“There are family virtues that remain in place today that began with my grandfather and were perpetuated by my father,” said David Boylan. “It’s how you deal with your associates and customers – openly and honestly – that provides us with an intangible advantage. We’re competing against a lot of companies that are much larger than we are – it’s our product quality and high-level of customer service that has also allowed us to effectively grow our business.”
Anchored by its hot dog line (including beef and pork, all-beef and organic varieties) and its assortment of snacking items including the Pennsylvania-favorite hickory smoked ring bologna, the company has been able to grow market share not only in Central and Northeastern PA, but also in the Delaware Valley and the Baltimore-Washington markets. The Berks product line also includes Berkshire Hams and a complete line of deli meats.
Brian Pastor is encouraged by a new more aggressive marketing effort at Berks Food which includes being named the official hot dog of the Baltimore Ravens, Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards and the two Philadelphia Phillies minor league teams – the Lehigh Valley IronPigs and the hometown Reading Phillies.
He is also excited about Berks new Antibiotic Free (ABF) line which includes organic uncured grass-fed beef franks, organic uncured turkey franks, organic uncured deli meats to cater to a new generation of shoppers looking for items in the better-for-you category. Pastor added that Berks has several other new items in development.
“We’re just getting started here,” Pastor explained. “There’s a lot of opportunity here and I’m bullish about our business because of the our strong culture built on family values and a great product line.”
Currently Pastor oversees a team of sales reps that primarily cover the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast markets.
One of Berks Packing’s most important executives is John Buckley, director of operations, who has been with the company for nearly 42 years and has worked in all areas of plant operations. The Reading native also feels the company is moving forward with new equipment at his disposal including an increased reliance of robotics.
“I agree with what Dave, Joe and Brian have said – our culture, our product line and the service we provide to our customers are the primary reasons why we’ve been had such a long track record of success. When we were faced with major labor and supply chain challenges during COVID, our people made the sacrifices that were needed to keep our customers informed and satisfied. We never lost sight of our objectives, not only in sales, but in maintaining our high standards of plant and food safety.”
Internally, Berks Packing will soon add new packing and slicing equipment utilizing robotics, which Buckley said will significantly improve production efficiency. Currently the meat processor has about 170 associates working in its plant covering two shifts.
Joe Boylan, Dave’s younger brother, acknowledged that labor hurdles still exist but said he feels confident that the way in which Berks Foods treats its associates has been repaid in their loyalty and trust in management.
“We’ve got a very talented team at Berks with lots of experience in all aspects of the meat industry. We’ve always taken a conservative approach to our business and viewed the values of our family as being vitally important.. In the last few years, we’ve brought some experienced people into the business that’s also added more creativity to our go-to-market process.” Joe Boylan noted.
David Boylan also predicted solid future growth at the company founded by his grandfather, noting that the even balance of sales in retail, foodservice and convenience allows for expansion in all areas without placing too much reliance on any one channel.
“To succeed in any family business for 90 years is a great achievement, said David Boylan. “We are fortunate and blessed that we have many wonderful people on the Berks team and have never lost sight that the quality of our products and the importance of serving our customers at a high-level remain first and foremost.”