A Unique Family Atmosphere

Monogram Food Solutions Continues To Grow

Memphis-based Monogram Food Solutions started operations in 2004 but doesn't allow its young age to get in the way. This food sales and marketing company has several national brands, including Emeril's Original Blend Signature Coffees, NASCAR officially licensed meats, Jeff Foxworthy Jerky Products and Trail's Best Jerky Products. In addition to these product lines, Monogram purchased King Cotton and Circle B, two leading brands in the retail sales of hot dogs, sandwich meats, smoked sausage and other meat products in the Memphis and mid-South area.

This unique business is led by Wes Jackson, president and chief operating officer of the company. When Monogram recently bought a meat snack manufacturing facility in Chandler, Minnesota, the company more than doubled in size. Wes knew he would need additional management expertise. He turned to his twin brother, Ches, to take the role of president of Monogram's meat snacks subsidiary. This partnership marked the first time in over 20 years that these twins brothers have worked together.

"During the last 20 years, they both were in the food business but always with different companies in different cities," said Karl Schledwitz, executive chairman of Monogram. "They worked their way through college. Their first year out of college they worked together in sales and then went their separate ways." Schledwitz further explained that the brothers had extremely successful careers with some of the largest companies in the food industry. Wes became one of the youngest division presidents in Sara Lee's history, and Ches became the vice president of customer development for ConAgra.

"There's something unique about being twins," said Wes Jackson. "We grew up in a small town and were actually best friends." He said the relationship with his brother has only fostered friendly competition. "Whether it be baseball or basketball or football or any of those things, we've always been competitive and I'd say pushed each other in a good way," he said.

Monogram's future includes expansion of its current product lines, creation of new product lines and additional licensing agreements. With these goals in mind, Wes Jackson wants the company to remain entrepreneurial. "We plan to continue adding high-quality individuals to our team while maintaining our sense of innovation and our collegial atmosphere in a way that will allow us to provide for our families," he said.

They also want to provide for their customers. "We are a food company, but we added the name 'solutions' because we wanted to be innovators and be able to take our talents and resources and provide solutions for our customers," Schledwitz said. These solutions include approaching known brands like NASCAR and introducing new products or approaching a celebrity like Emeril Lagasse or Jeff Foxworthy and creating a product line.

Monogram has partnered with other local companies to take care of its business needs. "We are a Memphis, Tennessee company and we're proud of that," Schledwitz said. "Our banking is with First Tennessee and First Bank. Our ad agency is Thompson & Company, our law firm is Bass, Berry & Sims, and our tax work is done by Thompson & Dunavant, one of the largest accounting firms in Memphis."

"We think there's a loyalty there, as well as controlling expenses," Wes Jackson said. He added that his business is a relationship business, and the companies he works with have people that eat and shop in Monogram's markets.

"It's very exciting to take something that starts from scratch, do consumer research, and see the packaging and the product development all end up with finished goods that are actually being sold through some of the largest retailers in America," Wes Jackson said.

Article courtesy of Bass, Berry & Sims.