Detailed History

A new business opportunity was sweeping across America in the early forties.  They were places where you could store meat, vegetables and fruit in your…

In 1945 Gerald and Gert Sytsma decided they would like to build a locker plant in the town of Moline, Michigan, where they were living. …

By the time they were ready to start the project, someone had already started building a locker plant in Moline.  That led them to Byron…

In 1966 Gerald sold the business to his oldest son, Jim, and Jim’s wife Ruth, while Gerald went into politics, becoming the Byron Township Supervisor. …

In 1984 a new opportunity opened up for Byron Center Locker…supplying the food service industry with fresh cut steaks to be distributed to hotels, restaurants…

Byron Center Locker changed its name to Byron Center Meats in 1991.  The change was brought about by the loss of identity to the younger…

In 2001 a 16,000 square foot addition and remodel more than doubled the production area and added two loading docks, employee break room and bathrooms. …

After a major fire in 2007, the plant was once again doubled in size by adding new coolers and freezers, additional production and storage areas,…