About IFD

1947	Voight P. Gillett and Richard Gillett opened a frozen food locker plant on Platt Street in Eau Claire.
1952	The brothers expanded into both the retail and foodservice wholesale distribution business with the introduction of Bird's Eye frozen vegetables.
1957	A pre-sell sales department is organized to replace the previous direct truck driver sales combination.
1964	The company moves to a larger warehouse on Water Street in Eau Claire.
1976	The business is sold to Edward Ackerman and Thomas J. Gillett, son of Voight Gillett.
1978	The retail business is sold and the company redirects its focus entirely on foodservice distribution.
1982	Indianhead becomes a member of Nugget Brands, a national purchasing cooperative for independent distributors.
1982	Continued business growth has the company relocating to a larger warehouse space located on Oxford Avenue in Eau Claire.
1984	Indianhead opens its Cash n' Carry store in the south end of the warehouse to accommodate both foodservice customers and the general public.
1985	The company name, Indianhead Frozen Foods, is updated to Indianhead Foodservice Distributor, Inc. to more accurately reflect the company's marketing efforts.
1989	Indianhead expands into the equipment and supply business and enlarges the Cash n' Carry store.
1990	Indianhead acquires Nathe's Wholesale Meats located in Winona, Minnesota, adding southwestern Minnesota to Indianhead's distribution marketing area.
1991	Indianhead purchases Armour facility, plus 10,000 square feet.
1994	Indianhead Foodservice employs 80 staff members who are committed to make Indianhead Foodservice a broadline foodservice distributor to the eat-away-from-home market.
1995	Indianhead Foodservice, in conjunction with 30 other distributors, begins a joint venture with Chain Distribution Service (CDS), whose purpose is to develop contracts with national accounts.
1997	Indianhead Foodservice Distributor is updated to IFD and celebrates its 50th anniversary.
1998	IFD begins 28,000 square foot addition.
1999	IFD opens newly constructed Warehouse Store (formerly Cash n' Carry).
2002	IFD merges with Unipro Foodservice, Inc.
2004	IFD purchases the assets of Zeches Institution Supply, Inv. located in Winona, Minnesota.

Mission and Principles

Mission

To continue to grow as a broadline foodservice distributor through satisfied customers.

We distribute seafood, frozen foods, meats (fresh and frozen, grocery items (dry and canned), refrigerated items, produce (bulk and pre-cut), and non-food items (equipment and supplies). Our sales force acts as food specialists which, in turn, helps our customers with menu planning, portion costs, and server training.

Principles

The IFD business compass - integrity you can count on, fairness you expect, dependability you can trust.

Work Quality: We will perform at the highest level possible in a safe, cooperative nature, enabling the individuals who receive our work to perform equally well.

Honesty and Fairness: We will operate with integrity in an honest and respectful manner towards Customers, suppliers, each other, and the community.

Safety: We will maintain and work in a safe workplace. Our work practices will assure the safety of each other and the public.

People Development: We will commit to personnel development on both the professional and personal level by investing in training and mentoring programs that result in obtaining company objectives.

Business Approach: We will proactively respond to the changing needs of our Customers, suppliers, employees, and other stakeholders.

Decision Making: We will make decisions while considering the long-term strength and success of the company, being mindful of the impact on Customers, suppliers, and employees.

Business Scope

IFD covers 32 counties in Wisconsin and 17 counties in Minnesota. We successfully handle 32,000 cases per week, service over 1,500 accounts, ship out 17 - 18 trucks daily, and deliver 3 million pounds of product per month. Our Customer base includes schools, healthcare institutions, restaurants, night clubs, fast food facilities, taverns, deli, bakeries, and C-stores. With over 7,000 products, our product areas consist of seafood, frozen foods, meats (fresh and frozen), grocery (dry and canned), refrigerated, produce (bulk and pre-cut), non-food (equipment and supplies). We have 50+ years of outstanding customer service. Through our affiliation with Unipro Foodservice, we are able to service customers nationwide.

IFD Solutions

Throughout the year IFD's Marketing Department works hard to bring our valued customers new and exciting promotions and offers so they may realize maximum profitability. Some of our many promotions include our Annual Buying Show, coupon rebates, Winter Madness, and others. Please remember to ask your sales representative about current and upcoming promotions, or contact our Marketing Department. We welcome the opportunity to assist you. Our goal is your complete satisfaction through:

Broadline foodservice distribution

Major national brand alliances

Nugget-brand products

Sophisticated technology

Corporate staff committed to customers

Division Specialists
Healthcare, Chemical and Beverage, Equipment and Supply, Produce

Menu preparation assistance

Inservices & seminars

Video library

Dietary & nutritional information

Marketing

Trained foodservice consultants

Library and database services

Training and marketing support programs

When our Customers are satisfied...we succeed!

About IFD

Mission and Principles

Business Scope

IFD Solutions

313 Hastings Place ▪ P.O. Box 1506 ▪ Eau Claire , Wisconsin 54702-1506 ▪ Tel: (715) 834-6513 ▪ Fax: (715) 834-3723