Nefs and Gonzenbachs Offer Share of Ownership to Valley Queen Employees

Valley Queen today announced the establishment of the Valley Queen company stock profit sharing plan and trust. Valley Queen was founded in 1929 by Alfred Nef and Alfred Gonzenbach and had remained a family owned and operated business.

Ray Trankle, Valley Queen’s chairman of the board, told employees that the primary investment in the new profit sharing plan will consist of shares of Valley Queen company stock. He pointed out to the group of over 100 employees, “That means, as of today, you are owners in Valley Queen through your participation in this new profit sharing plan.” He also surprised the employees by sharing the company’s inaugural contributions into their individual retirement accounts will be nine percent of their 2017 eligible compensation.

Trankle said, “This is an amazing time to be part of Valley Queen Cheese Factory as we implement our strategic plan, expand our operations and product mix, open our new Heritage Center, and build upon our proud legacy. To be in a position of strength and stability, and to be able to provide financial benefit to you and your families in retirement, is exactly what we’ve set out to do.”

“As Valley Queen strives to become the premier, privately owned dairy manufacturer in the U.S., we believe the key to our success is an engaged, supported, and motivated team,” said Doug Wilke, CEO. “We want to share the success of the company with the employees who will shape our future.
We expect this enhanced profit sharing plan is to be one more step toward becoming the best employer in the industry and in our region.”