Quantum Foods, North Star Foods Merge

BOLINGBROOK, Ill.North Star Foods, Inc., a protein processing (poultry, pork and beef) company serving the industrial, retail and foodservice sectors, and Quantum Foods, LLC, one of the worlds largest food processors, announced today that they will combine operations into a single food company: Quantum Foods.

 This combination represents a very bold step as we seek sustainable long-term growth and the ability to deliver the best products and service possible, said Edward Bleka, Quantum Foods founder, president and CEO. 

In April 2009 a fire completely destroyed North Star Foods meat and poultry processing plant in southeastern Minnesota, resulting in the loss of 250 jobs. Quantum Foods has been one of several companies helping to serve North Star Foods customers since the fire.

Prior to the fire, North Star Foods engaged in processing, packing and selling chicken, turkey, beef, pork and other food products. The company has actively explored and evaluated various options to rebuild its plant or acquire an existing facility and focus operations in Saint Charles or nearby. Considerations including market conditions and the cost associated with constructing or acquiring a new facility compelled North Star Foods to end its operations in Saint Charles.

Our goal has always been to provide North Star Foods customers with the highest possible level of responsiveness, service and product quality. We firmly believe we can continue our customer commitment with Quantum Foods, said Patrick Thesing, vice president and co-owner of North Star Foods.

According to Thesing, a new food processing research center may be located in or near Saint Charles. Quantum Foods has a Research and Development Culinary Center located at the companys headquarters in Bolingbrook, Ill.

North Star Foods co-owners Thesing and Brad Arndt will continue in active leadership and customer contact roles in the combined business. In addition, several of North Star Foods remaining employees will be working with Quantum Foods in operating, sales and research, and development positions.