Jel Sert Marks 100 Years of Family Ownership in Food Manufacturing
The Illinois-based manufacturer behind brands like Fla-Vor-Ice remains privately held as it navigates a century of grocery price fluctuations.
The Jel Sert Company, founded in Illinois in 1926, has completed 100 years of operation under the continuous ownership of its founding family. The company, which produces consumer staples such as Fla-Vor-Ice and Wyler’s drink mixes, has maintained its status as a private enterprise without the involvement of external equity investors.
Current president Ken Wegner, grandson of founders Charles and Lillian Wegner, attributes the company's long-term stability to a strategy of vertical integration. By handling the majority of its manufacturing processes in-house, the company aims to maintain cost control in an industry where many competitors have raised prices in response to shifting economic conditions.
The business has evolved from a single gelatin dessert product to a broad portfolio of food and beverage goods, including licensed products for major brands. As the company enters its second century, it maintains its focus on value-driven production to mitigate the impact of rising grocery costs for consumers.