Monogram Foods, Paradigm Partners and Dacon Complete New Northeast Production Facility

Dacon Corporation has completed construction of a 135,000 square foot facility for Monogram Foods, a leading manufacturer of value-added food products for its new location in Creek Brook Park, Haverhill, MA. Founded in 2004, Memphis-based Monogram has
experienced a 620% increase in sales rate and surpassed $1 billion in revenue last year, making it one of the fastest growing companies in Inc. 5000. This facility is dedicated to manufacturing pre-assembled sandwiches and is Monogram’s 4th location in Massachusetts. The company will bring 355 positions to this location through 2023. With a business model based on rapid responsiveness in product innovation, private label and brand development, Monogram’s portfolio includes 10 snack brands to meat base covering hot dogs, sausages, beef jerky and bacon, as well as 1 licensed line, Butterball. Distribution is broadly split across retail, convenience, club, restaurant, military, and pharmacy channels.

The design of this facility optimizes production to meet consumer demand with 6 areas – Freezer, Cold Warehouse, Refrigerated Dock, Dry Goods Warehouse, Production and Offices – configured for easy employee access. Critical to operational efficiency, process engineering includes a state-of-the-art ammonia refrigeration system. The loading dock and parking areas have been configured to maximize a restricted site plan. Notes Karl Schledwitz, CEO of Monogram, “This facility is being created to meet increased demand from our valued customers across the country. Dacon has been an excellent and innovative partner from start to finish. We are proud of this project and proud to be part of the Haverhill community.” Paradigm Properties, an investor/operator/developer of office and industrial properties, owns and develops. According to Kevin McCall, CEO of Paradigm, “Paradigm is thrilled to have helped Monogram significantly expand its operations in Massachusetts. In a challenging Covid environment, our contractor, Dacon Corporation, led a team effort with tremendous support from the City of Haverhill, our lender, LowellFive, and dedicated contractors.

Monogram, Paradigm Partners and Dacon have partnered with Groundwork Lawrence to mark the event with a $20,000 “Growing Community” program. Groundwork Lawrence is a nonprofit civic organization that focuses on improving the environment, access to fresh food, youth/adult education, and employment initiatives in cities north of Boston. To support their mission to change places and change lives, 40 participants will receive a cooking and nutrition class, as well as $100 in Market Basket gift cards and $100 in Groundwork Farmer’s Market gift cards to cook the recipes learned. for their families. To encourage long-term food sustainability, 525 plants will be purchased for Groundwork’s 12 community gardens and an allowance will be provided to overwinter the greenhouse. Comments Heather McMann, Executive Director, “Groundwork Lawrence creates community building blocks through its civic, environmental and healthy food initiatives programs. By providing current food support and longer-term garden sustainability, the Growing Community program meets several needs. We appreciate the kindness and generosity that Monogram, Paradigm and Dacon have shown in creating this comprehensive program. Added Lauren Nowicki, Director of Communications for Dacon Corporation, “Dacon Designed with Dignity Philanthropy believes that grassroots organizations drive change at a level of impact equivalent to large-scale charities. They create impressive and measurable differences in the lives of the communities in which we build. Lawrence’s groundwork is both extensive and remarkably effective in building civic responsibility, economic betterment
and productivity.