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Valley Queen Cheese has been named the South Dakota
Business of the Year by the SD Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Mark Leddy,
CEO and other company executives accepted the award at a reception at the
Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls on Thursday evening. It was one of two
ABEX (Awards in Business Excellence) awards presented at the reception.
Molded Fiber Glass Companies of Aberdeen won the New Kid on the Block Award.
“It is really a nice honor,” said Leddy. “It was
unexpected.”
Previous winners of the Business of the Year Award have been
companies such as Daktronics, Larson Manufacturing and 1st Premiere Bank.
“It is gratifying to be considered in that group,” said Leddy.
Governor Mike Rounds presented the award. He praised Valley Queen for its
success and commitment to quality.
Finalists were judged on various factors including
economic impact, job creation, growth potential and community service.
In addition to Leddy, those attending the awards
presentation from Milbank were Susan Leddy, Brian and Janel Sandvig, Lance
and Dina Johnson, Jason and Heidi Mischel and Milbank Chamber of Commerce
Director Laura Foss. Also attending were Dr. Phil Tanner and his wife
Kristin (Nef) Tanner of Sioux Falls. Three members of the Valley Queen
board of directors - Ray Trankle, Jane Shorma and Steve Kirby, all of Sioux
Falls - were also in attendance.
Valley Queen was founded in 1929 by Swiss immigrants
Alfred Nef and Alfred Gonzenbach. Their sons, Rudy Nef and Max?Gonzenbach
managed the company for many years. Both remain active as board members.
Valley Queen employs 185 workers and is currently in the midst of
a $45 million plant expansion and facility upgrade. It will allow Valley
Queen to increase its manufacturing capacity by 30 percent.
The project is expected to be completed by December of this year.
In 2008, Valley Queen produced over 90 million pounds of cheese.
Valley Queen was one of three finalists for the award.
The other nominees were Dakota King Inc. and Howalt-McDowell Insurance
both of Sioux Falls. |
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