Snyder of Berlin
Looks Back on 50 Years
by Bobbie Black
Business Editor of the Daily American, Somerset, PA
December 10, 1997
Sitting regally on a 48 acre tract of land in Berlin, the Snyder of Berlin plant, encompassing 178,225 square feet, has reached a milestone.
Started in 1925 by Mr. and Mrs. Edward Snyder, who made their first potato chips from their home in Berlin, the factory now is 50 years old.
What was started by the original Snyder family grew into the construction of the plant in 1946 and production starting the following year.
In 1964, a new office building and modern packaging warehouse were added.
The business has continued to flourish over the years, and in June 1972, the plant was named a division of Curtice-Burns Corporation of Rochester, N.Y. In 1994, the Pro-Fac Corporation purchased Curtice Burns Foods and is now the parent company to Curtice Burns and Snyder of Berlin.
The plant employs over 300 people, which includes production, sales, engineering, quality assurance, and office staff.
Selling throughout the eastern U.S., Snyder pumps $7,500,000 into the local economy annually, producing over 17 million pounds of potato chips.
In addition to Pennsylvania, Snyder snack food is also sold in Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky, Virginia, Washington, D.C., North Carolina, South Carolina, Indiana and New Jersey, utilizing seven company-owned divisions and 36 independent distributors. Products are sold primarily through distributors on a store-door delivery basis, using a fleet of 27 trailers.
Over 70 million pounds of potatoes are used annually in making the snack foods, or about 12 acres of harvested potatoes per day, over half of which come from the surrounding Somerset County area. The balance of the potatoes used come from the Florida, Virginia and Carolinas area. Approximately 80 percent of the tonnage is delivered by the Pro-Fac Cooperative.
Snyder of Berlin Family of Employees Celebrate Anniversary
Kate Gumbert remembers when the Snyder of Berlin potato chip plant was being built in Brothersvalley Township more than 50 years ago.
She was living just a few hundred yards away.
"I was still in school when it opened up," she recalls. "I wondered if I would get a job there . . . And I did!"
She's been working at Snyder of Berlin ever since. That's 46 of the 50 years the facility has been producing the real taste of Snyder of Berlin.
Kate's father also was employed at the plant. Today, she serves as warehouse lead person and is the longest active employee.
Fryer Al Knotts has been working at Snyder of Berlin since 1963, and he is proud of the 50th anniversary that's been achieved.
"Absolutely. No doubt," he says. "It shows that there is a good market, good management, and good people.
We also have a pretty good potato industry in the County. They do a tremendous job for us. It's a good feeling knowing that Curtice Burns and Pro-Fac have faith in us to do the job. We appreciate that they allow us to do what we do best!"
Francis Bittner, a slurry operator at Snyder of Berlin since 1969, sees significance in the 50th anniversary celebration.
"It's important to Berlin," he says. "It's really important to the borough."
Ken Stuck, a 27-year employee and fryer operator, agrees.
"It says a lot for the product," he adds.
"It's a quality product that the public still seems to enjoy. In fact, they demand it. That says a lot for the company."
(captions):
Joe Lahm, production manager, drives efficiencies while still delivering what Snyder of Berlin promises.
Francis Bittner recognizes the importance of the Snyder of Berlin 50th anniversary to the local economy.
Ken Stuck, fryer operator, understands the importance of quality in Snyder's past and future.
Terry Kaufman lathes machine parts as Dennis Brant, plant engineer, observes.
Above, chips are constantly scrutinized by product inspectors Glenda Zolla, left, and Jane Werner, right. John Hayes looks on.
Kate Gumbert is the longest active employee, with 46 years of devoted service to Snyder of Berlin.
Al Knotts has contributed more than 30 years of his expertise as fryer at the Snyder of Berlin facility.
