History of the Company

In 1959, the combined assets and efforts of Bob and Barbara Stewart resulted in the purchase of a bag machine and the beginning of a new venture- Stewart Bag Company.

The first employee of the company, Wayne Storms, brought in an order from Dixie Poultry Processors for giblet bags, the first order Stewart Bag Company shipped. Among the original employees were salesman, Garth Stewart; packer, Lena Stewart; and secretary, Dee Osterling. In December of 1960, the company moved to a 5,000 sq. ft. factory building built by Andrew Schmidt in Vicksburg, Michigan. The two-acre site had room for growth. Only a short time elapsed before that growth became necessary. Along with the new additions came a new partner by the name of Louis W. Sutherland who joined the Company in 1960, from hence forth it would be known as Stewart Sutherland Bag Company.

In 1961, another bag machine was purchased, and the building underwent its first of five expansions. By 1964, the company was running one and a half million bags a day on three machines. The rapid expansion of business necessitated a 7,000 sq. ft. addition, which would almost double the floor-space of the plant. The addition would accommodate three new machines, the first of which was shipped from Germany that November. Over the next ten years, the company prospered in consort with the growing bakery business and erupting fast food industry and expansion continued.

In September of 1983, the corporation elected new officers. John Stewart, who joined the company as a salesman in 1976, was named President. John and Patty Stewart purchased the company in 1994 and successfully oversaw its growth and success for over 26 years until the unfortunate passing of John in 2020. John Stewart, a salesman at heart, took enormous pride in his work, with a passion for service and family. His hard work and dedication laid the groundwork for endless opportunities for the next generation. Stewart Sutherland remains a family-owned company with Patty Stewart as owner, their daughter, Colleen Parran as President, and a highly capable staff of individuals who strive to please the customer in a constantly changing market.

For over six decades, Stewart Sutherland has met the needs of their customers, employees, and employees’ families. Their ability to adapt has stood the test of time and will help the company to grow in the future. Today, what once was only a dream of Bob and Barbara Stewart’s is now among the top manufacturing plants in the U.S. for our industry.