News | Great Lakes Potato Chipshttps://greatlakespotatochips.com/news/2024-03-28T15:16:10+00:00Latest NewsGreat Lakes Potato Chip Company cranks out value-added spuds2019-04-10T17:23:30+00:002024-03-28T15:14:27+00:00Jena VanWagnerhttps://greatlakespotatochips.com/news/author/jena_van@yahoo.com/https://greatlakespotatochips.com/news/great-lakes-potato-chip-company-cranks-out-value-added-spuds-1/<p>BY DAVID L. BARBER</p>
<p>4/10/2019</p>
<p><em>Editor's note: This article was published in Grand Traverse Business magazine's Winter 2019 issue. For more stories from the magazine, click <a href="https://grandtraversebusiness-cnhi.newsmemory.com/">here</a> to read GT Business in its entirety online.</em></p>
<p>TRAVERSE CITY — Washed, dropped, sliced, paddled, boiled and bagged, the process of turning fist-sized potatoes into nickle-thick chips is swift and, in the end, savory, at the Great Lakes Potato Chip Company.</p>
<p>Located on M-72 about three miles west of Traverse City, the business has been producing kettle-cooked chips for nine years. What began as a father-son operation that was supported by family and friends has become an award-winning business that is enjoying a favorable, and flavored, growing spurt.</p>
<p>Great Lakes Potato Chip is the only northwest Lower Michigan business included in the 2018 Inc. 5000, an annual ranking by Inc. Magazine of the fastest-growing private companies in America.</p>
<p>“We continue to grow at a rate of about 30 percent a year,” said business co-owner, Ed Girrbach, who founded the business with his son and partner, Chris. “We think for the next two or three years we could continue at that rate. Our goal is to become one of the top five preeminent facilities in the country.”</p>
<p>And if the slightly altered axiom rings true — “the proof is in the potato” — Girrbach and his son, Chris, just might be on their way to achieving that goal.</p>
<p>At the 2016 The Potato Chip Festival held in Saratoga, New York — the consensus birthplace of the potato chip — the Girrbachs carried home the Gold Medal for the Best Kettle Chip. Their tortilla chip also was honored. Dozens of potato chip manufacturers from across the nation took part in that inaugural competition.</p>
<p>Swift production? From start to finish — being washed and sliced, to dropped and sealed into colorful packaging — takes about 20 minutes; in the middle of which the “chipped” potatoes are paddle-stirred and boiled for about eight minutes before being seasoned by hand, said the 69-year-old business entrepreneur.</p>
<p>Girrbach said his 14,000-square-foot business produced about 25 million ounces of kettle chips in the past year, which translates to about 1.56 million pounds.</p>
<p>“We always thought this company could get to that level,” said Girrbach. “We did our homework and we bought in to the right product, at the right time.”</p>
<p>Delivered to seven states and Canada, the company’s benchmark chip is its Original Kettle Cooked Potato Chip. Other flavors include Michigan Cherry BBQ, Sea Salt and Vinegar, Sea Salt Pepper and Onion, Buffalo Wing Potato Chips and Parmesan Ranch Potato Chips.</p>
<p>“All our chips are produced with their skins on,” said Girrbach. “That enhances the taste.”</p>
<p>Long retired from Merrill Lynch, where he worked for 28 years, Girrbach operated Pangea’s Pizza in downtown Traverse City for a few years. Girrbach said he and his son sometimes sat and talked about “opening a new business, from scratch.”</p>
<p>After considering the possibilities they decided to “go all in” on producing potato chips.</p>
<p>“We considered our options, we did our due diligence,” he said. “At the time, there was just one manufacturer of potato chips in the state, and that was in Detroit. We thought there was a hole in Michigan for this type of operation — we thought there definitely was an opportunity for a chip manufacturer. And that led us to say, ‘okay, let’s do this.’ We did or homework.</p>
<p>“Michigan is the number one state for producing chipping potatoes in the United States, so that was a big plus. We didn’t have to travel far to buy our potatoes.”</p>
<p>Once the Girrbachs located a building to house their operation, Girrbach said “we had to change it into a food manufacturing facility.”</p>
<p>“Needless to say, that took a lot of work,” he said.</p>
<p>Like many neophyte companies, The Great Lakes Potato Chip Company started out small, with Girrbach and his son — aided by family and friends — doing all the work. But each new year brought new growth. Today the company has 35 employees.</p>
<p>“We’ve developed a great team,” said Girrbach. “We have two shifts and we work closely together.</p>
<p>“I get a great deal of satisfaction knowing we’ve created something that can support 35 families. I get a great deal of satisfaction out of working with my son.</p>
<p>“What we did was very capital intensive, especially in the beginning. Chris and I never took an income for our first five years. We took the risks, and they paid off.”</p>
<p>The younger Girrbach said he enjoyed working for years with his father at their Pangeas Pizza in Traverse City, and enjoys working with his father at their potato chip business today.</p>
<p>“My dad and I have a good time working together and our strengths really compliment each other,” said Chris Girrbach, 39.</p>
<p>“It has been both fun and very challenging to create Great Lakes Potato Chips. We have a great team that all have made growing and being successful possible.”</p>
<p>So how did the Girrbachs come about naming their potato chip business?</p>
<p>“Our region is beautiful, one of the most beautiful places in the world,” said the elder Girrbach. “Our names tells people, ‘hey, this product is coming from a real cool place — a beautiful place. We tried to capture the feel of the Great Lakes, of this area – the northern Great Lakes area.</p>
<p>“Another thing about our product — our business — is that’s a truly a ‘green’ one. We have very little waste. That’s important to us.”</p>Inc. Magazine Unveils Annual List of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies—the Inc. 50002018-08-15T13:51:34+00:002024-03-28T08:15:51+00:00Jena VanWagnerhttps://greatlakespotatochips.com/news/author/jena_van@yahoo.com/https://greatlakespotatochips.com/news/inc-magazine-unveils-annual-list-of-americas-fastest-growing-private-companiesthe-inc-5000/<h6>The Great Lakes Potato Chip Company ranks number 2,467 on the 2018 Inc. 5000 with three-year revenue growth of over two hundred twenty five percent</h6>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>NEW YORK, August 15, 2018</strong> – <em>Inc.</em> magazine today revealed that The Great Lakes Potato Chip Company is No. 2,467 on its 37th annual Inc. 5000, the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent small businesses. Microsoft, Dell, Domino’s Pizza, Pandora, Timberland, LinkedIn, Yelp, Zillow, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.</p>
<p>“We are thrilled to have the hard work of our Employee and Distributor teams recognized in this way. Our thanks and gratitude to all our supporters and fans,” said Ed Girrbach CEO”</p>
<p>Not only have the companies on the 2018 Inc. 5000 (which are listed online at Inc.com, with the top 500 companies featured in the September issue of <em>Inc.</em>, available on newsstands August 15) been very competitive within their markets, but the list as a whole shows staggering growth compared with prior lists. The 2018 Inc. 5000 achieved an astounding three-year average growth of 538.2 percent, and a median rate of 171.8 percent. The Inc. 5000’s aggregate revenue was $206.1 billion in 2017, accounting for 664,095 jobs over the past three years.</p>
<p>Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000.</p>
<p>“If your company is on the Inc. 5000, it’s unparalleled recognition of your years of hard work and sacrifice,” says Inc. editor in chief James Ledbetter. “The lines of business may come and go, or come and stay. What doesn’t change is the way entrepreneurs create and accelerate the forces that shape our lives.”</p>
<p>The annual Inc. 5000 event honoring the companies on the list will be held October 17 to 19, 2018, at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort, in San Antonio, Texas. As always, speakers include some of the greatest innovators and business leaders of our generation.</p>
<p><strong>The Great Lakes Potato Chip Company is a family owned maker of “Skin-on” kettle cooked potato chips. Their chips have won numerous awards and are distributed throughout the Midwest and beyond. More about Great Lakes Chips at </strong><a href="http://www.greatlakespotatochips.com"><strong>www.greatlakespotatochips.com</strong></a><strong> and on Facebook. Contact </strong><a href="mailto:info@greatlakespotatochips.com"><strong>info@greatlakespotatochips.com</strong></a><strong> for additional information.</strong></p>
<h5>More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000</h5>
<p><strong>Methodology</strong></p>
<p>The 2018 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2014 and 2018. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2014. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2017. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2014 is $100,000; the minimum for 2017 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in <em>Inc.</em>’s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at <a href="http://www.inc.com/inc5000">http://www.inc.com/inc5000</a>.</p>
<p><strong>About Inc. Media</strong></p>
<p>Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, Inc. is the only major brand dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, with the aim to deliver real solutions for today’s innovative company builders. <em>Inc. </em>took home the National Magazine Award for General Excellence in both 2014 and 2012. The total monthly audience reach for the brand has been growing significantly, from 2,000,000 in 2010 to more than 18,000,000 today. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.inc.com">www.inc.com</a>.</p>
<p>The Inc. 5000 is a list of the fastest-growing private companies in the nation. Started in 1982, this prestigious list has become the hallmark of entrepreneurial success. The Inc. 5000 Conference & Awards Ceremony is an annual event that celebrates the remarkable achievements of these companies. The event also offers informative workshops, celebrated keynote speakers, and evening functions.</p>
<p>For more information on Inc. and the Inc. 5000 Conference, visit <a href="http://conference.inc.com/">http://conference.inc.com/</a>.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>For more information contact:</strong></p>
<p>Inc. Media</p>
<p>Drew Kerr</p>
<p>212-849-8250</p>
<p><a href="mailto:drew@four-corners.com">dkerr@mansueto.com</a> </p>Chippin’ Away With Great Lakes Potato Chip Co.2018-05-02T14:43:31+00:002024-03-28T08:15:52+00:00Jena VanWagnerhttps://greatlakespotatochips.com/news/author/jena_van@yahoo.com/https://greatlakespotatochips.com/news/chippin-away-with-great-lakes-potato-chip-co/<h1 class="entry-title fusion-post-title">Chippin’ Away With Great Lakes Potato Chip Co.</h1>
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<p>“Eddie, what happened to my blankets?” said Ed Girrbach’s mother when she noticed they were missing. Ed jokes that after he explained he’d been selling them as ponchos to his schoolmates, “mom’s reaction helped me understand at an early age about the ‘cost of goods sold.’”</p>
<p>Ponchos were Ed’s first foray into business, but the now co-founder of Great Lakes Potato Chip Company (GLPCC)—a member of Cherryland Electric Cooperative—would carry that entrepreneurial spirit his entire life, eventually leading him—along with his son and business partner, Chris Girrbach—to open Pangea’s Pizza Pub in Traverse City. Even more, it was that same spirit that inspired a growing interest in manufacturing.</p>
<p>Ultimately, deciding where they would strike out next came down to a simple question: “Dad, what do you like?” asked Chris.</p>
<p>Ed thought for a moment and replied, “Well, aside from pizza, I like potato chips.” And the idea for GLPCC was born.</p>
<p>The Girrbachs threw themselves into researching potato chips; and on May 5, 2010, they founded GLPCC with two part-time employees and one old fryer to begin manufacturing their favorite—skin-on kettle chips.</p>
<p>In the eight years since, the chip company has experienced tremendous growth and won numerous accolades, including being named “Number One Kettle Chip” by The Chicago Tribune, and “Most Investable Second-stage Food Company” at Crain’s Food Summit. They also received a “Gold” rating for kettle and tortilla chips at the Saratoga Springs Chip Festival—the birthplace of the potato chip.</p>
<p>Today, the chip company produces seven flavors of kettle chip, a tortilla chip, has 16 distributors, retails in seven states, employs 30 people, and is growing at a rate of 30 percent per year.</p>
<p>All this growth means more potatoes, and Michigan has no shortage—it’s the leading producer of chipping potatoes in the nation. The Girrbachs developed a special relationship with Sackett Farms in Mecosta—a HomeWorks Tri-County Cooperative member—to supply their potatoes. Sackett Farms is a sixth-generation, family-owned farm specializing in A-grade chipping potatoes, whose crop is in high demand.</p>
<p>“Chris’ first trip to Sackett Farms was humorous,” said Ed. “He drove 110 miles to the farm in his pickup truck with a crate in the back and had to get in line with semi-trucks to load up the potatoes. He was the only pickup in the line, and we’re thankful they let us jump in and hold up their process.”</p>
<p>Chipping away at the potato chip industry, the Girrbachs eventually sent more than a pickup truck to Sackett Farms. Now, a semi-truck delivers 120,000 pounds of potatoes a week—and they are looking for more. The chip company has invested nearly half a million dollars in automation to double its capacity to keep up with demand. With each upgrade, Ed and Chris look closely at the most energy efficient equipment as part of their commitment to sustainability, and they value their partnership with their electric cooperative.</p>
<p>Coincidentally, GLPCC and Sackett Farms belong to electric cooperatives that are members of Wolverine Power Cooperative. The Wolverine cooperatives lead Michigan in new renewable energy. In 2018, the co-ops reduced their carbon footprint by 25 percent—now providing members with 56 percent carbon-free energy. “Cherryland operates as a true partner, their whole mindset is how do they help us, and how do we work together to find more ways to be energy efficient,” said Ed. “We love doing business with them.”</p>
<p>As Great Lakes Potato Chip Company continues to grow, Ed takes great pride in his Michigan-made products, their highest-quality ingredients, and their unique process to get a crispier, crunchier, tastier chip. “We get asked a lot why we leave the skin on,” said Ed. “It’s simple. It just tastes better.”</p>
</div>Making It in Northern Michigan: Great Lakes Potato Chip Co. stacks its sales growth2017-11-01T14:22:07+00:002024-03-28T15:16:10+00:00Jena VanWagnerhttps://greatlakespotatochips.com/news/author/jena_van@yahoo.com/https://greatlakespotatochips.com/news/making-it-in-northern-michigan-great-lakes-potato-chip-co-stacks-its-sales-growth/<div class="post_info"><span class="post_category"> <span>In</span> <span><a href="https://www.tcbusinessnews.com/category/issue-2017-november/" rel="category tag">Issue 2017 November</a>, <a href="https://www.tcbusinessnews.com/category/making-it-in-nm/" rel="category tag">Making it in NM</a></span> </span> <span class="post_author"> <span>By</span> <a class="post_author_link" href="https://www.tcbusinessnews.com/author/clark-miller/"> <span>Clark Miller</span> </a> </span></div>
<div class="post_content">
<h2><span>Making It in Northern Michigan: Great Lakes Potato Chip Co. stacks its sales growth</span></h2>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.tcbusinessnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/GL-Potato.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-12556 alignleft" height="241" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://www.tcbusinessnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/GL-Potato-300x241.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcbusinessnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/GL-Potato-300x241.jpg 300w, https://www.tcbusinessnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/GL-Potato-284x228.jpg 284w, https://www.tcbusinessnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/GL-Potato.jpg 429w" width="300"/></a></strong>Six years ago, restaurateur Ed Girrbach was thinking about starting a new business.</p>
<p>It helps to know that the former co-owner of Pangea’s Pizza in Traverse City enjoys potato chips, but when he crunched the numbers for potato chips, he really liked what he saw.</p>
<p>Potato chips are a $7.2 billion dollar-a-year business in the U.S. The largest 10 companies control roughly $5.8 billion of the market. Still, that leaves left some $1.4 billion for some 150 smaller producers across the country. Girrbach figured that if a Grand Traverse-based company could corner just one percent of that, he could build a $14 million business.</p>
<p>Two other things encouraged him. Michigan had only one regional chip company and, from his experience in the food industry, he knew that the “buy local” movement was gaining power.</p>
<p>It all seemed to add up, so he established Great Lakes Potato Chip Co. (GLPC), which he now runs with his son Chris.</p>
<p>In getting started, he thought a lot about what might set GLPC’s product apart from the national and regional competition. He decided to leave the peels on his chips and fry them, kettle-style.</p>
<p>“A lot of people like the taste of the potato skin,” he said. “And there are more nutrients.”</p>
<p>The first year, with only one kettle and two part-time employees, the company used 600 tons of potatoes to create $60,000 in revenue. Almost all the potatoes are from the Sackett Potatoes in Mecosta, Mich.</p>
<p>“They have a quality chipping potato,” Girrbach said. “And leaving the skins on gives them a better flavor.”</p>
<p><strong>Growing Each Year</strong></p>
<p>The Girrbachs’ venture took off, doubling revenues the next four years. In 2016, they sold the pizzeria in order to focus on potato chips.</p>
<p>The company now employs 30, runs six double shifts, has 17 distributors and sells its expanded product line in seven states. The question is no longer will this company work: Revenues this year are projected to be $4 million. The trick now is expanding sales and production to keep up with demand.</p>
<p><strong>Lessons for Other Companies</strong></p>
<p>It’s not by chance that Girrbach’s dream has become reality. There are some lessons here for other would-be manufacturers. Besides having a passion for the product and a background in the food industry, he:</p>
<ul>
<li>Looked at the big picture (sales, the big national players’ market share, statewide competition)</li>
<li>Understood the niche to be filled within Michigan and possibly beyond</li>
<li>Differentiated his product from many other competitors (kettle method, leaving on the skins on the potatoes)</li>
<li>identified a reliable source of raw product</li>
<li>Marketed aggressively</li>
<li>Reinvested (he’s currently putting $1.5 million back into equipment)</li>
<li>Embraced quality (food safety, in particular)</li>
<li>Developed a strong distribution network</li>
<li>Has stayed open to new sales possibilities like export markets and private labeling arrangements with large American universities</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Award-winning Chip</b></p>
<p>As it expands, GLPC is stacking up awards. In 2015, the Chicago Tribune newspaper named GLPC the “Number One Kettle Chip in the Country.” Last year, Crain’s Detroit Business weekly awarded the company its “First Place Growth Award” at the <span class="st">Detroit Food Policy Council’s </span>Annual Food Summit in Detroit.</p>
</div>Great Lakes Potato Chip Company Turns Humble Potato Into Multimillion-Dollar Business2017-06-26T14:15:18+00:002024-03-28T14:56:02+00:00Jena VanWagnerhttps://greatlakespotatochips.com/news/author/jena_van@yahoo.com/https://greatlakespotatochips.com/news/great-lakes-potato-chip-company-turns-humble-potato-into-multimillion-dollar-business/<header class="content-header">
<p class="post-meta">By <span class="contrib"><a class="author url fn" href="https://mynorth.com/author/ross-boissoneau/" rel="author" title="Posts by Ross Boissoneau">Ross Boissoneau</a></span> on <a href="https://mynorth.com/2017/06/">June 26, 2017</a><br/>Tagged <a href="https://mynorth.com/work-in-northern-michigan/northern-michigan-companies/" rel="tag">Cool Companies</a>, <a href="https://mynorth.com/northern-michigan-food-drink/" rel="tag">Food & Drink</a>, <a href="https://mynorth.com/work-in-northern-michigan/" rel="tag">Work Here</a>, <a href="https://mynorth.com/area/traverse-city-michigan/" rel="tag">Traverse City</a></p>
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<div class="r"><img alt="Great Lakes Potato Chip Company" class="attachment-mynorth-inner-featured-900 size-mynorth-inner-featured-900 wp-post-image" height="473" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" src="https://mynorth.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Great-Lakes-Potato-Chip-Company-_-planting-potatoes-900x473.jpg" srcset="https://mynorth.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Great-Lakes-Potato-Chip-Company-_-planting-potatoes-900x473.jpg 900w, https://mynorth.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Great-Lakes-Potato-Chip-Company-_-planting-potatoes-600x315.jpg 600w, https://mynorth.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Great-Lakes-Potato-Chip-Company-_-planting-potatoes-480x252.jpg 480w" width="900"/><span class="image-credit">Photo(s) by Great Lakes Potato Chip Company</span><span class="image-caption">Planting potatoes </span></div>
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<div class="content-content">
<p>Ed Girrbach has had several careers: Pilot. Airplane sales and marketing executive. Financial advisor. Restaurateur. And for the last five years, potato chip impresario.</p>
<p>Girrbach and his son Chris are the co-owners of <a href="http://greatlakespotatochips.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Great Lakes Potato Chip Company</a>. The company has managed to thrive as a regional purveyor of salty, crispy slices of Michigan-grown potatoes. Quite a stretch from six years ago, when the Girrbachs pulled into line alongside several semis to get a load of potatoes in their pickup truck.</p>
<p><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-314826 alignleft" height="300" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://mynorth.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Original-Potato-Chips-300x300.png" srcset="https://mynorth.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Original-Potato-Chips-300x300.png 300w, https://mynorth.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Original-Potato-Chips-300x300-150x150.png 150w, https://mynorth.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Original-Potato-Chips-300x300-32x32.png 32w, https://mynorth.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Original-Potato-Chips-300x300-50x50.png 50w, https://mynorth.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Original-Potato-Chips-300x300-64x64.png 64w, https://mynorth.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Original-Potato-Chips-300x300-96x96.png 96w, https://mynorth.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Original-Potato-Chips-300x300-128x128.png 128w" width="300"/>That 1,500 pounds of potatoes turned into the first bags of Great Lakes Potato Chips. Today the company produces seven flavors of kettle-cooked potato chips as well as some seasonal flavors, two kinds of tortilla chips, and two different salsas. Girrbach says this year he expects sales between $3.5 and 4 million, with next year increasing by another $1 million. He’s hopeful that in five years it will be in the $10–12 million range.</p>
<p>That’s pretty impressive, especially in light of the casual conversation that started the company. Ed and Chris opened Pangea’s Pizza in downtown Traverse City and were looking to expand into retail. Their first thought, naturally enough, was to move into the frozen pizza market, but looking into both production and how difficult it would be to secure freezer space in supermarkets, they decided that wasn’t the way to go. That led to the following exchange: “Chris asked, ‘Dad, what else do you like?’ I said, ‘Potato chips.’ He said, ‘Lets do it,’” recounts Girrbach.</p>
<p>That’s how they found themselves sitting in their pickup truck alongside the big boys, waiting their turn. Since then, Great Lakes Potato Chips has experienced remarkable growth, adding equipment—yes, including bigger trucks—and personnel. Today the company employs 30 people at its facility at 6806 E. Traverse Hwy. It has become so successful the Girrbachs eventually sold their restaurant to stake their future on chips.</p>
<p><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-314824 alignright" height="300" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://mynorth.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Great-Lakes-Tortilla-Chips-300x300.png" srcset="https://mynorth.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Great-Lakes-Tortilla-Chips-300x300.png 300w, https://mynorth.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Great-Lakes-Tortilla-Chips-300x300-150x150.png 150w, https://mynorth.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Great-Lakes-Tortilla-Chips-300x300-32x32.png 32w, https://mynorth.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Great-Lakes-Tortilla-Chips-300x300-50x50.png 50w, https://mynorth.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Great-Lakes-Tortilla-Chips-300x300-64x64.png 64w, https://mynorth.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Great-Lakes-Tortilla-Chips-300x300-96x96.png 96w, https://mynorth.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Great-Lakes-Tortilla-Chips-300x300-128x128.png 128w" width="300"/>The company distributes throughout the region, including Canada. While the brand based its appeal primarily to those who call the Great Lakes region home, one of its bigger (and growing) markets is Florida. After all, explains Girrbach, “It’s like a Great Lake state in winter.”</p>
<p>And the company is poised for still bigger and better things. “We see a lot more potential for growth,” says Girrbach. The company is looking ahead to markets in the Caribbean, South America and China. “There’s no limit to opportunity. This is a really pivotal year for us.”</p>
<p>This next year will see the company invest another $1.5 million in equipment, which Girrbach says will increase its capacity by 150 percent. “We’ve had rapid growth, but we’re being really careful,” says Girrbach. “Growth can outstrip capacity. The world is awash in opportunity. We want to make sure we don’t drown in it.”</p>
<div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_314825" style="width: 310px;"><img alt="" class="wp-image-314825" height="286" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://mynorth.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Ed-and-Chris.jpg" srcset="https://mynorth.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Ed-and-Chris.jpg 314w, https://mynorth.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Ed-and-Chris-300x286.jpg 300w, https://mynorth.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Ed-and-Chris-32x32.jpg 32w" width="300"/>
<p class="wp-caption-text">Ed and Chris Girrbach</p>
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<p>In addition to consumer success, the company continues to receive accolades. Great Lakes Potato Chip Company was named one of the “Top 50 Michigan Companies to Watch” in 2014, and the following year the chips were voted the #1 Kettle Chip in the Country by the <em>Chicago Tribune</em>. The chips received two Gold Ribbon awards for best Kettle Chip and best Tortilla Chip at the 2016 Saratoga Springs New York National Chip Festival. Great Lakes Potato Chips was also awarded the first place Growth Award at the Crain’s Business 2016 Annual Food Summit in Detroit.</p>
<p>The company both exemplifies and adds to the success of the “buy local” focus of the market. By focusing its efforts regionally, Great Lakes Potato Chips has been able to build consumer awareness of its brand. It also helps the state maintain its agricultural success, purchasing nearly all its potatoes from Sackett Potatoes in Mecosta County. “Michigan is number one in the country in chipping potatoes, and number five overall,” says Girrbach. Thanks, in part, to Great Lakes Potato Chips.</p>
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<p></p>Another Making It In Michigan Success Story: Great Lakes Potato Chip Company2017-06-01T14:31:58+00:002024-03-28T08:15:53+00:00Jena VanWagnerhttps://greatlakespotatochips.com/news/author/jena_van@yahoo.com/https://greatlakespotatochips.com/news/another-making-it-in-michigan-success-story-great-lakes-potato-chip-company/<h4>Another Making It In Michigan Success Story: Great Lakes Potato Chip Company</h4>
<p>After leaving a 28-year career in the financial industry, Ed Girrbach opened a pizza restaurant in downtown Traverse City with his wife and son. Part of their expansion plans for the restaurant was to open up multiple locations and create some retail items. They began selling their pizza sauce to local markets early on, and, in 2010, began to look at producing frozen pizza for the retail market. After much due diligence and advice from the MSU Product Center, they decided against the frozen pizzas but continued to look for other food items. While brainstorming one day Ed’s son, Chris, asked him what he liked besides pizza to which he responded - potato chips. <br/>In the beginning stages of the business Ed and Chris were driving 110 miles to load up a fresh harvest of Michigan potatoes that they would process in their small plant just outside of Traverse City.</p>
<p>Like most small businesses, sales began with support from the local retailers but grew quickly throughout the state as Ed and Chris worked the trade show circuit exposing their unique skin-on style chips to large and small buyers around the Great Lakes region. <br/>During the business’ second year a 16-foot box truck replaced the original pickup truck and a second refurbished kettle fryer was added to help meet a rapidly growing demand. At this point in time, the company was producing three flavors of kettle chips: Original Sea Salt, Barbeque and Sea Salt and Vinegar.</p>
<p>The following year a new Salt, Pepper & Onion flavor was added, a larger delivery truck joined the fleet, and they introduced a new tortilla chip. <br/>As demand continued to grow, Great Lakes Potato Chip Company saw a major expansion of the production facilities. In the company’s fourth year, a third fryer was added, and a second high-speed bagging line was put into operation. Production capacity tripled and employee count was then at 13. <br/>Today, the company has over 30 full time employees processing over 80,000 pounds of potatoes per week. The product line now includes seven permanent flavors of kettle cooked potato chips, two flavors of tortilla chips, two flavors of salsas and a few seasonal potato chip flavors. <br/>Seventeen distributors supply a growing list of customers in six states surrounding the Great Lakes as well as Texas, Tennessee and Canada. Future distribution is planned for the Southeast and Florida.</p>
<p>Great Lakes Potato Chips was named one of the top 50 Michigan companies to watch in 2014 and was voted the #1 Kettle Chip in the Country by the Chicago Tribune newspaper in 2015 and was the recipient of two Gold Ribbon awards for best Kettle Chip and best Tortilla Chip at the 2016 Saratoga Springs, NY National Chip Festival. Great Lakes Potato Chips was also recently awarded the Growth Award at the Crain’s Food Summit in Detroit.</p>
<p>“The Product Center has been a great partner for us. Their efforts in keeping us in the loop in all food-related opportunities in Michigan has been instrumental in securing thousands of dollars in sales,” states owner Ed Girrbach. “We have benefited over the years from the MSU Product Center’s efforts with Kroger and Meijer and have found the Making it in Michigan show an excellent opportunity to connect with buyers and distributors. Making it in Michigan is an absolute must for any Michigan food manufacturer.”</p>What to Watch: Great Lakes Potato Chip Co.2017-01-05T15:45:08+00:002024-03-28T07:34:30+00:00Jena VanWagnerhttps://greatlakespotatochips.com/news/author/jena_van@yahoo.com/https://greatlakespotatochips.com/news/what-to-watch-great-lakes-potato-chip-co/<h2><span>What to Watch: Great Lakes Potato Chip Co.</span></h2>
<p><a href="https://www.tcbusinessnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Great-Lakes-Potato.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-9772" height="252" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://www.tcbusinessnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Great-Lakes-Potato-300x252.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcbusinessnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Great-Lakes-Potato-300x252.jpg 300w, https://www.tcbusinessnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Great-Lakes-Potato-272x228.jpg 272w, https://www.tcbusinessnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Great-Lakes-Potato.jpg 480w" width="300"/></a>Amid continuing sales growth, Great Lakes Potato Chip Co. is looking at next steps.</p>
<p>And in 2017, some significant decisions could start to unfold. The six-year-old company is mapping future distribution growth and space needs and weighing possibilities – whether that’s financing growth on its own or bringing in investors or partners that could help the company expand its both physical footprint and its executive base.</p>
<p>President Ed Girrbach, who owns the company with his son, Chris, said Great Lakes Potato Chip is “brainstorming” through a broad range of options. He said the company had 40 percent sales growth in each of the last two years, reaching sales of about $3 million in 2016, and expects sales of $3.5 million to $4 million in 2017.</p>
<p>Participation in a Crain’s Detroit Business food summit competition last summer enabled the company to make a pitch to food industry judges and potential investors. Great Lakes Potato Chip was selected the winner in the competition’s “growth” category and is eligible to receive professional business services like consulting and marketing. The company also made contact with interested investors and “will probably have some more conversations” in 2017, Girrbach said.</p>
<p>“We have people that would invest in us right now, if we wanted them to. But we’re not exactly sure how we want to proceed,” he said.</p>
<p>The company plans to continue to expand distribution in the Great Lakes region and now reaches into other states around the country and Canada. It also does private-label production of its chips – “a niche market that we’ve been able to fill really well,” Girrbach said.</p>
<p>He said the company in 2017 will be evaluating whether to further expand its current location in the coming years to accommodate growth, or to locate elsewhere in Traverse City. By late in the year, he said, the company will likely “be making some significant decisions on how and where we’re going to grow.”</p>Great Lakes Potato Chips Company wins at Crain’s Food Summit2016-09-01T15:41:05+00:002024-03-27T18:48:02+00:00Jena VanWagnerhttps://greatlakespotatochips.com/news/author/jena_van@yahoo.com/https://greatlakespotatochips.com/news/great-lakes-potato-chips-company-wins-at-crains-food-summit/<p>Detroit – Great Lakes Potato Chip Company announces their win at the inaugural Crain’s Food Summit, held August 22<sup>nd</sup> in Detroit. The idea for the pitch competition came out of planning for a food economy summit held by Crain’s Detroit Business.</p>
<p>More than 100 companies applied for the opportunity to pitch in the contest and just a dozen were selected.</p>
<p> “We were proud to be selected as one of four finalists in the Growth Companies Category. We faced some really good companies, but in the end we were voted as the #1 company that the judges would invest in,” said Ed Girrbach, co-owner of Great Lakes Potato Chips.</p>
<p> Great Lakes Potato Chips produces skin-on kettle chips in a variety of flavors and tortilla chips. The company, founded in 2010, started with just $60,000 in sales the first year and has grown to $3 million in sales predicted for 2016. The chips are currently distributed in six states, but more growth is predicted for 2017.</p>
<p> “Even though we have been in the food business for over 10 years, it was eye opening to learn more about all the great food and innovations that are being developed in our state. One thing is for sure, the Food Economy in Michigan is alive and well,” said Girrbach.</p>
<p> In addition to winning the Crain’s Food Summit, Great Lakes Potato Chip Company was honored in 2014 by being selected one of the “Michigan 50 Companies to Watch” by the Michigan Celebrates Small Business Organization. In 2015 they were named “Best Kettle Chip” by the Chicago Tribune and in 2016 received two “Gold Ribbon” awards for Best Kettle Chip and Best Tortilla Chip at the national Chip Festival in Saratoga Springs, New York.</p>
<p> Great Lakes Potato Chips continue to keep their brand promise of “A great tasting chip in every bag, every time.” All products are produced as simply and naturally as possible, allowing for customers to “Snack Happy” with quality gluten free offerings.</p>
<p> Find Great Lakes Potato Chip Company on line at www.greatlakespotatochips.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GreatLakesChips.</p>Great Lakes Potato Chips Voted Best Kettle Chips2016-08-12T15:43:10+00:002024-03-28T04:41:23+00:00Jena VanWagnerhttps://greatlakespotatochips.com/news/author/jena_van@yahoo.com/https://greatlakespotatochips.com/news/great-lakes-potato-chips-voted-best-kettle-chips/<p><strong>Great Lakes Potato Chip Company Wins Awards</strong></p>
<p>Traverse City – Great Lakes Potato Chip Company is thrilled to announce they are winners at the Chip Festival in Saratoga Springs, New York. The company took home two gold medals in the Best Kettle Chip and Best Tortilla Chip categories.</p>
<p> In its inaugural year, The Chip Festival welcomed chip lovers and vendors to sample snacks and talk to chip makers. Saratoga Springs is the unofficial birthplace of the potato chip.</p>
<p> “It was a really great festival,” said Ed Girrbach, co-owner of Great Lakes Potato Chips. “We did not know what to expect the first year, but there were so many people in attendance.”</p>
<p> Since Great Lakes Potato Chips are not currently sold in New York state, the company is looking forward to a boost in their on-line chip sales following the festival and plans on attending again in 2017.</p>
<p> A 2014 recipient of the “Michigan 50 Companies to Watch” by Michigan Celebrates Small Business, Great Lakes Potato Chips has also been awarded best kettle chip by the Chicago Tribune.</p>
<p> Find Great Lakes Potato Chip Company on line at www.greatlakespotatochips.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GreatLakesChips.</p>GL Chips on the ShortsCast!2016-08-02T15:34:02+00:002024-03-28T08:15:53+00:00adminhttps://greatlakespotatochips.com/news/author/admin/https://greatlakespotatochips.com/news/gl-chips-on-the-shortscast/<div class="row">
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<p>Our friends at <a href="https://www.shortsbrewing.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Short’s Brewing</a> recently sat down with our Ed Girrbach and Kevin Paveglio to find out what makes Great Lakes Potato Chip Co click! It’s the latest installment of their Summer Cook Out Series on their popular Short’s Cast Podcast – give a listen!</p>
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</div>Great Lakes Potato Chip Company Celebrates Five Years2015-06-01T15:47:39+00:002024-03-27T18:47:47+00:00Jena VanWagnerhttps://greatlakespotatochips.com/news/author/jena_van@yahoo.com/https://greatlakespotatochips.com/news/great-lakes-potato-chip-company-celebrates-five-years/<p>Traverse City – Great Lakes Potato Chip Company has come a long way in the last five years. In 2000, Ed Girrbach and his son Chris pulled their Dodge pick-up truck into line behind four semi-tractors to get their first load of Michigan potatoes. That first load held about 1,500 pounds of potatoes – enough for 600 bags of chips.</p>
<p> “It was an exciting time,” said Ed. “We drove that one crate of fresh harvested potatoes 110 miles back to Traverse City and turned them into the first hand-crafted kettle chips for our company.”</p>
<p> Like most small businesses, sales began with Ed and Chris driving to local retailers to share their new product. Response was very positive and soon sales spread throughout the state. Great Lakes Chips were also a hit on the snack trade show circuit, exposing them to buyers big and small around the Great Lakes region.</p>
<p> “In the second year we added our 16 foot box truck and a second refurbished kettle fryer,” said Chris. “We faced rapidly growing demand for all three of the flavors being produced: Original, Barbeque and Sea Salt and Vinegar.”</p>
<p> As demand increased over the next two years, a larger delivery truck and fourth flavor (Sea Salt Pepper & Onion) were added. A major expansion to the production facility increased the number of employees to 13.</p>
<p> Great Lakes Potato Chip Company was honored in 2014 by being selected one of the “Michigan 50 Companies to Watch” by Michigan Celebrates Small Business. This award is presented to companies known for their exceptional entrepreneurial leadership, creation of innovation or use of innovation in creative ways, and their sustainable competitive advantage.</p>
<p> Ed commented on the award, “This was such an honor for us. We started our company with one clear goal: to make a chip worthy of the hardy, fresh spirit of the Great Lakes region and its people. To think that our snack food is now an ambassador for our region is amazing.”</p>
<p> Today, the company offers five permanent flavors of the kettle cooked, skin-on potato chips, two flavors of tortilla chips, two flavors of salsa and four seasonal potato chips. A new production line that will double capacity is in the works and employee count is expected to hit 25 this year. They continue to keep their brand promise of “A great tasting chip in every bag, every time.” All products are produced as simply and naturally as possible, allowing for customers to “Snack Happy” with quality gluten free offerings.</p>
<p> There are a lot of exciting things on the horizon for Great Lakes Potato Chips, with both pretzels and popcorn on the drawing board.</p>
<p> Find Great Lakes Potato Chip Company on line at www.greatlakespotatochips.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GreatLakesChips.</p>