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1960's
A small, family-owned, beef-boning business founded in the early 1960's is now Keystone Foods -- a worldwide leader in food manufacturing and custom distribution servicing the food industry.
The business converts from a beef-boning operation to a manufacturing facility. The company develops a |  |
mass production and freezing system for producing hamburgers. The innovation in freezing technology, known as cryogenics, instantly locks in freshness, juiciness and flavor. It also preserves the product for storage in the frozen state for extended periods. This provides great value to the rapidly expanding quick service restaurant industry. |
1970's
With the success of the frozen hamburger, and ever-increasing production demands, Equity Meat Corporation is established.
1970 hamburgers manufactured in US: 1.5 million lbs. per year
1972 hamburgers manufactured in US: 50 million lbs. per year | |
In 1974, Keystone enters a new area of customer service by purchasing M&M Restaurant Supply. Keystone pioneers the "Total Distribution" concept. Restaurants receive their entire delivery from one truck. From frozen, to refrigerated, to dry goods, the restaurants can schedule only one delivery. The volume buying and delivery efficiencies allow the restaurants to reduce costs and better concentrate on servicing their customers. |
1980's
By the end of the 1970's, Keystone has recognized the need for a formal R&D effort in the company. An R&D group is formed and the development of the first chicken nugget takes place at Equity's recently acquired manufacturing facility in Tennessee. Pioneered by Keystone, mass-produced, boneless, chicken nuggets are another first in the food industry.
Keystone expands into international markets when it opens operations in France and Malaysia.
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McKey Food Services opens near Orleans (south of Paris) to manufacture hamburgers for quick serve restaurants in France, Belgium and Morocco.
MacFood Services, a beef, fish and poultry manufacturing plant in Malaysia (near Kuala Lumpur) opens to supply quick serve restaurants in Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong. The facility also operates as a distribution center for Malaysia. The same standards for excellence are employed outside the U.S. |
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1990's
During the decade of the '90's, Keystone expanded rapidly into many international markets; adding distribution centers in Korea and Europe, as well as manufactur-ing facilities in China, Thailand and Australia.
In 1995 Keystone begins manufacturing fish portions for quick serve restaurants in the eastern United States, under the name of LD Foods and locates its new facility in Wisconsin.
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In the late 90's and into the new century, Keystone expands its US Poultry business by building 2 new fully integrated poultry facilities in Georgia and Kentucky. Korea expands into manufacturing of protein products.
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2000's
Company growth continues in 2004 with the aquisition of a fully integrated poultry business in Alabama. This additional capacity provides a controlled, consistent supply of raw materials for the expanding U.S. poultry business.
Early in 2005, Keystone's international distribution business expands with the acquisition of six distribution centers in Australia and three distribution centers in the United Kingdom.
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In February of 2008 a distribution center was acquired in New Zealand.
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Present
Today, as we help our customers expand into new markets around the world, their success depends on our understanding | |
of their needs and the constant changes in the marketplace. |
