Marel Stork Poultry Processing Inc.

GAINESVILLE-Stork Gamco Inc., a hallmark of the Hall County manufacturing community for more than 67 years, was acquired by Marel Food Systems in 2008. The final public transformation to the new company name, Marel Stork Poultry Processing Inc., was completed today with the removal of the familiar Stork signage and change to the new Marel Stork Poultry Processing logo.

"This change, while largely aesthetic, represents the culmination of two and a half years' of hard work bringing together the best of both companies to position Marel Stork Poultry Processing as the customer's choice in supplying integrated poultry processing solutions to a worldwide market," said David Wilson, Senior Vice President. "We are very pleased to be able to continue our growth and progress here in Gainesville where our company began."

The company began business in 1944 as a local machine and welding shop to provide repair work for the Gainesville, Georgia area which included poultry processing plants. The company was founded originally as Gainesville Machine Company. In the late 1940's, the company became involved in the development of scalding and picking equipment and by the late 1950's had progressed to providing a full line of equipment, parts and services.



In the early 1970's the company was purchased by Chickmaster Corporation and consolidated its seven locations into one new 113,000 square foot facility, still located at 1024 Airport Parkway in the Gainesville Industrial Center. The company name was also changed to GAMCO.



In January, 1976, Stork acquired Gamco and over the years proceeded to successfully restructure the organization and automate manufacturing. Between 1976 and 1998, the company added an additional 97,000 square feet to the building. Then in 1998, another 40,000 square foot expansion was completed to accommodate growth in the industry.



In May 2008 Stork Gamco Inc. was purchased by Marel. With corporate headquarters located in Iceland, Marel designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of innovative equipment and systems for most sectors of the food processing industry, including poultry, fish and red meat. Along with the sale came the name change to Marel Stork Poultry Processing Inc.



"The combination of the two companies positions us as a worldwide, single-source supplier of advanced equipment and systems for the poultry processing industry" noted Wilson. "Working continuously on innovative technology, the company has the process knowledge and extended sales and service organization to equip and support our customers, increasing their profitability and earning our position as the customer's choice in integrated poultry processing solutions."


United, the two companies are a forerunner in the development of equipment for the food processing industry with more than four thousand employees located around the world. With the addition of the Stork poultry brand and market share, Marel now has the critical mass to enter emerging markets and is better placed to provide comprehensive services to large international clients.


Pictured l-r: Anton de Weerd; Dale Stoltzfus, Vice President After Market Sales; Mike Sales, CPA, Vice President Finance; Ken Falls, Vice President Human Resources; Jamie Usrey, Vice President Innovation; Mike Barton, Vice President Manufacturing and IT; David Wilson, Senior Vice President.

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