Klement's sold: What, if anything, will change?

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Tall Tree Foods, a food holding company backed by Altamont Capital, announced on Monday, May 5th the acquisition of Klement Sausage Company.

Altamont Capital Partners is a private investment firm based in the San Francisco Bay area.

"It does concern me a little bit. Hopefully they stick to their roots and don't change anything. People love sausage in Milwaukee," Jeremy McCown, who runs a sausage stand at the corner of Water Street and Wisconsin Avenue said upon learning of the sale.

Klement’s -- a leading manufacturer of premium sausage based in Milwaukee, has been family-owned since 1956. It produces sausage, meat and deli products — but it is likely best known for sponsoring the famous Klement’s Racing Sausages at Milwaukee Brewers games.

"We are excited to expand on Klement's successful history. Klement's is a strong regional brand with the potential for growth in both its current markets and beyond," said Tim Bruer, the CEO of Tall Tree. 

"They are going to keep the operations in Milwaukee, and the management team is staying put as well," Denise Lockwood with the Milwaukee Business Journal said.

FOX6's partners at the Milwaukee Business Journal say it seems as though Klement's 500 employees at two Milwaukee locations won't be affected.

"Any time you see a sense of disruption if you're an employee you want to know -- do I have a job? Could they really change their minds? Sure, but at this point, I'm not getting any information that's leading to that," Lockwood said.

The acquisition will bring additional scale and geographic expansion for Tall Tree as well as adding an attractive portfolio of high quality products. Tall Tree will build upon the longstanding heritage and brand equity that the Klement family has created over generations.

A statement from John Klement, the former chairman of the company, says Klement's is looking forward to the future growth of the brand.

As for the famous Racing Sausages -- as of right now, it seems as though they'll still run here in Milwaukee.

There is no word on how much the company was sold for -- or when, exactly the deal will go through.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett issued the following statement on the sale on Monday: “Klement Sausage is a company with a half-century of history in Milwaukee, and I am optimistic about its future here.  The new owners of Klement Sausage appreciate the company’s products and markets and they will quickly discover they have a great workforce and a supportive community in Milwaukee. I welcome Tall Tree Foods to the Milwaukee business community.”

Klement's got its start in the sausage business back in 1956. But it's did not initially start with the Klement's name.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Klement's history and its partnerships over the years.

We also invite you to check out a couple of the company's commercials featuring the Famous Racing Sausages.





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