The Shelby Report | By Treva Bennett
Rolling Out the Red Carpet for This Incredible Milestone
Warren, Michigan-based Lipari Foods hosted its annual food show March 22nd, with more than 7,000 people attending. The Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan, was filled with 752 booths and more than 800 brands. It was the largest show in the company’s history.
The theme of the show, “Roll Out the Red Carpet of Savings,” was observed throughout the venue. Movie-themed displays, including a giant Oscar statue, a Rolls-Royce and giant film reels, along with posters of famous movies and movie stars, helped convey the desire to celebrate Lipari Foods’ vendors and retailers for their “role” in the company’s history.
Lipari Foods CEO Thom Lipari and President and COO John Pawlowski took a moment to speak with The Shelby Report of the Midwest on the show floor.
The company, which was started by Thom Lipari’s father, the late Vincent “Jim” Lipari, is celebrating its 60th anniversary. Lipari Foods is an independent “perimeter of the store” distributor, delivering a wide range of quality bakery, deli, packaging, seafood, meat, specialty grocery, international specialty, foodservice, confectionery and convenience food and beverage products to more than 11,000 customers in 28 states.
The business was founded in 1963. Thom Lipari became the fourth employee when he joined the company in 1971, helping his grandfather make sauce.
“The company has grown tremendously…we’ve had a lot of great people over the years who have supported us and worked with us, both on the employee side and the customer side,” he said. “They’re what makes today what it is.”
Lipari said employees have been key to the success of the business. “I’ve had so many good people that had been with me for many years, and many new people now have joined the company. That’s what makes the difference. We all sell groceries…it’s the people that make the difference – how you take care of the customer and how you go to market.”
