Nearly 45 years ago, hardworking butcher Guenter Lotzmann and skilled salesman, Martin Gedja, had a vision of opening a meat processing plant. Together their winning formula created a successful business that is still going strong decades later.

Feeding the fires of success

From those early days of the business, Kitchener’s Finest Sausage and Meat Ltd. knew that customers were looking for more.

And the two business owners weren’t afraid to take on whatever tasks needed to be done. Lotzmann and Gedja would take turns stoking the fires of their wood burning smokehouses to ensure their products would finish with the distinctive flavours that kept their customers returning for more.

Today the family’s second generation still operates Finest Sausage and Meat’s smokehouses and the storefront on Trillium Drive in Kitchener, but customers can also buy a huge range of Finest’s products at Victoria Street Market, the downtown Kitchener Market and at the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market. As well, the company sells its products across Ontario in markets, small delis and larger grocery store chains.

 
“Our customers expect the high-quality products that we still make in our smokehouses,” says Shannon Desborough, one of the owners. “These products contain no MSG, are gluten-free – and are made with fresh, local Ontario pork.”

Customer feedback is key

Even after more than four decades, Finest is consistently creating new value-added products to showcase in stores and markets. 

“Customers offer us feedback, which helps to shape our product offerings,” says Desborough.

The results of which are evident from the company’s online customer reviews:

•   “My favourites are their Hungarian sausage, bacon and beerwurst cold meats.”
•    “Would recommend! I will keep shopping here forever.”
•    “The best bacon, sausages, schnitzel, etc. Around!! Never a disappointment shopping at Finest!”

 
Offering these new items in their value-added meat counter, Finest has found a new – and engaged – customer base, especially in their seasonal offerings. The excitement builds approaching summer barbeque season, as consumers regularly check in to see what new products are on offer. 

The importance of local

“Offering Ontario pork to our customers ensures we’re using great quality meat to create our products,” says Desborough. “When we are able to offer local, fresh meat products, our customers keep coming back.” 

And why do Finest’s customers care about buying local?

“By supporting local business today,” says Cindy McKinley. “Customers are helping to keep jobs in their community tomorrow. Purchasing local meats ensures the freshest, highest-quality, best-tasting products to bring home to your family.” 

 
Finest family values

In everything it does, Finest is a business with strong family values. 

“Our customers aren’t just customers,” says Tania Lotzmann, Guenter Lotzmann’s daughter. “They are a part of our family. The same goes for our staff – they are all part of the Finest Family.”

And those values have been rewarded many times over. Most recently, Finest proudly won the Ontario Independent Meat Processors 2017 Gold Award for its Finest Spiced Turkey Roast.

In the past they’ve also won awards at the Meat Industry Expo, one of Canada’s largest meat industry product competitions, for their salami and delicious bacon.
 
 
For extensive product selection, legendary customer service and award-winning local meats, the answer has to be Finest Sausage and Meat. 

Visit them in person at any of their four locations – and follow them on Facebook and Instagram for the latest delicious offering to hit the meat counter!