About Us

Kayem Foods Incorporated Company History Kazimierz Monkiewicz began his handmade sausage business in 1909 with the opening of a meat market, shortly after he and his wife Helena emigrated from Poland and settled in Chelsea, Massachusetts. When word of the high quality meats and handmade sausage spread, Kazimierz began delivering to neighboring communities via horse drawn wagon. Soon Kazimierz's four sons entered the business, and with an entrepreneurial spirit, strong values and a focus on the customer, the company flourished. Ninety-nine years later, Kayem is a premier marketer and manufacturer of some of the leading brands of meats both regionally and nationally. The product line now includes hot dogs, traditional Italian sausages, deli meats, and all natural chicken sausage marketed under the Kayem, al fresco, Triple M, Genoa Sausage, Schonland's and Meisterchef brands. Kayem is the #1 brand of franks in New England and the al fresco is the #1 brand of chicken sausage in the Total U.S. The Chelsea plant, with over 500 employees, has grown with the latest addition to over 200,000 square feet. The new addition includes a state of the art continuous Frankfurt operation. In addition to the Chelsea plant, Kayem operates a fresh sausage plant in Woburn MA that employs over 80 people and produces the highest volume of fresh sausage in New England. Quality workmanship, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction have always been the hallmark of Kayem's success. The company was the first Frankfurt manufacturer to seek ISO 9001 International Standards registration in 1995. In 2007, Kayem kicked off its continuous improvement platform, called META, which means Goal in Spanish, to ensure the company is equipped to meet the ever changing needs of its customers and the meat industry. Today, Kayem operates plants with cutting edge technology and stringent USDA & ISO 9000 quality standards but they still retain their "Old World" philosophy and vision. Almost a century later, Kayem is still owned by the same family, still employing many other families for multi-generations, still in its hometown of Chelsea and still manufacturing & delivering freshly made convenient, wholesome and delicious foods to its most valued customers. Some things are too good to change.   Officers & Board of Directors Ralph Smith President & CEO, Director Ray Monkiewicz Chairman/Director Stephen Barber Director Johannes Heinlein Director Ron Miles Director Matt Monkiewicz Vice President of Marketing, Director Peter Monkiewicz Vice President of Manufacturing, Director Steve Mosher Director Harry Thomasian Honorary Director Jim Weber Director Tricia Williams Associate Marketing Manager IS, Director   Committment Statement We will be a world-class company by providing products and services that meet or exceed all our internal and external customer expectations and by continuously improving everything we do. Kayem Core Values Honesty, integrity, and respect in all relationships. Support for Family Values for employees to succeed in their jobs and personal lives. Profitability to grow our business and our people.   ABOUT US   |   BRANDS   |   KAYEM STORE   |   STORE LOCATOR   |   NEWSROOM   |   CONTACT US   |   RECIPES BRATWURSHIP   |   HOME