Laudermilch Meats changes ownership after 107 years of family operation
The Pennsylvania-based specialty meat business has been acquired by Justin Smith and Josh Shope, marking a new chapter for the century-old retailer while preserving its legacy in the regional meat and poultry industry.
USA – Laudermilch Meats, a specialty meat, poultry and cheese company with more than a century of family ownership, has been sold to Justin Smith and Josh Shope, effective 13 October 2026.
The business, which has served customers across Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, for generations, was owned and operated by the Laudermilch family since its establishment in 1919.
The transaction marks a change in ownership for the long-standing retailer as it enters its next phase of operations.
Founded by brothers Edwin, Clayton and John Laudermilch in an old barn in Cleona, Pennsylvania, the company built its reputation on traditional Old World recipes, product quality and personalised customer service.
It relocated to its current premises in 1970 and has since expanded its facilities several times to accommodate its operations.
The company operates from a federally inspected facility, supplying primarily retail customers alongside selected commercial accounts.
Its product portfolio spans specialty meats, poultry and cheese, positioning it within the regional market for value-added meat products and traditional food retailing.
Jim Bitner and Kristi May of J&E Business Group represented Laudermilch Meats in the transaction, helping facilitate the transfer of the family-owned business to its new owners.
“It was a privilege to represent the Laudermilch family in finding the right path forward for their business and helping ensure its legacy continues under new ownership,” said May.
She noted that long-established businesses such as Laudermilch Meats play an important role in their communities, building customer relationships and maintaining traditions through successive generations.
The sale reflects a broader business consideration within the meat processing and specialty food sectors: ensuring continuity as established family enterprises transition to new ownership.
Such businesses often combine processing capabilities, established customer relationships and regional brand recognition, making succession planning important to their long-term viability.
For specialist meat retailers, maintaining product consistency, food safety standards and customer confidence will remain central to sustaining competitiveness, particularly as consumer expectations and operating costs evolve.
While the financial terms of the acquisition and the new owners’ future operating plans were not disclosed, the transaction provides an opportunity for Laudermilch Meats to continue serving its established customer base under new leadership.
After 107 years under the Laudermilch family, the company’s next chapter will build on a legacy shaped by traditional meat products, local relationships and a longstanding presence in Pennsylvania’s food industry.
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