HISTORY

Today, we are a broadline distributor offering in excess of 3,000 items to meet the ever changing needs of our customers. Coupled with our Processing Plant we can provide the highest quality of specialty items from fresh Ground Beef to Portion Cut Deli Hams and Steaks.

Partnering with Pocahontas Foods USA in 1987 has enabled us to supply our customers with our own consistent high quality brand products that are second to none in the industry and available exclusively from Orrell's Food Service.

Orrell's Food Service was honored as the "Distributor Of The Year" in 1999 by Pocahontas Foods USA and for the last 3 years (2000, 2001, 2002) as an "Outstanding Distributor". Other awards include the Golden Arrow, four Silver Arrow and 13 Millionaire Club awards for growth during the years. Presently we are among the top 15 of more than 140 distributor locations throughout the US and abroad.

We service customers in Central North Carolina and Southern Virginia. Even though we have enjoyed considerable growth we are yet small enough to respond to our customer's individual needs. Our customers are our "Partners" in business and we will always strive to provide them with quality products, exceptional service and competitive prices.

We stand firm on our beliefs of hard work, honesty and family values - values that the Company was founded on and continue to make us a proud leader in foodservice distribution.

As we look forward to our 50th anniversary in 2004, we thought it would be a good idea to take a look back at our history and how we made it to where we are today.

Orrell's Cold Storage was founded in 1954 by the brothers, Herman and Roy Orrell. The 800 square foot facility offered Custom Butchering and Processing of Beef and Pork. Within a couple of years Herman purchased Roy's interest in the business and in 1962 was joined by his son Tony who is President and CEO of Orrell's Food Service today.

The Company was incorporated in 1979 and under NCDA inspection began manufacturing and selling beef products.

1981 was a year of great change for the Company. Herman Orrell, after leading the company for nearly 27 years, decided to retire. After Herman's retirement, current management took over and began redefining the vision for the Company. The new focus was to be on Food Service and the name of the Company was changed to Orrell's Food Service, Inc.

A new Foodservice warehouse comprised of 6,000 square feet was opened in December of 1984 adjacent to the Processing Plant.

In March of 1987 Orrell's became a Pocahontas Foods USA distributor which remains the Company's label group today and in May discontinued the service of custom butchering.

1988 ushered in the start of what has become a decade and a half of expansion and progress. Few of the highlights of those years are:
  • 1988 - New freezer and expanded dry storage
  • 1989 - New brick offices to the existing facilities
  • 1990 - Purchased N & S Produce
  • 1991 - Company's FIRST Food Show in Salisbury on 4/30 with 105 customers in attendance.
  • 1992 - Land purchased for expanded parking
  • 1993 - Construction on new freezer and dry storage
  • 1994 - Completion of new freezer, cooler and dry storage increased warehouse space to 38,000 square feet. Live with state of the art computer system on November 1st.
  • 1995 - Part of the original 6000 square foot facility renovated for new Conference Room and Training Center
  • 1997 - Renovation of original facility continues for more offices and kitchen
  • 1998 - Pegram Foods in Kernersville, NC was acquired along with the opening of a State of the Art Test Kitchen and new offices for Human Resources, Sales Management and IT
  • 1999 - Growth thru the years saw the need for the Company's first purchase of Tractor Trailers Construction started again in 2000 for the largest expansion yet in Company history.
  • In December 2001 expansion was completed and included new freezer, cooler, dry storage, new offices for Cash N Carry and the Purchasing staff. Facility nearly doubled and totals 72,000 square feet.
  • In March of 2002 the Kernersville facility was closed and all operations are centralized at the new facility in Churchland.
  • 2003 brings changes in technology as we upgrade to Windows based software for our Laptops with SPS

As you can see Orrell's Food Service, a family owned business, has enjoyed continued growth through the years but we have not forgotten our humble beginning. Our "Cinderella" story of success is due to hard work, honesty, and family values supported by dedicated employees. We appreciate ALL who have shared in the life and growth of our Company.