Dietz & Watson
Encyclopedia
Dietz & Watson is an American
manufacturer of delicatessen
foods, based in Philadelphia.
sausage maker
fleeing the economic collapse of his country in wake of World War I
. Using capitol raised by working at a meat packing plant for almost two decades, Dietz bought the ailing Watson Meat Company and combined his name with the business' former owner Walter Watson (who took on the role of sales manager). Initially a small operation, when Dietz' daughter Ruth Eni took control of the company after her father passed, she built the company to be the largest deli meat purveyor in Philadelphia. A family run business, the company is in its third generation under Dietz' grandchildren. With facilities in Philadelphia, Baltimore
(in the former Parks Sausage Company plant), Corfu, NY
(in the former Yancey's Fancy Inc./Kutter's Cheese Factory) and Delanco, NJ
, they employ over 1,000 people. The company is known for their high quality meat, importing beef from the Midwest
and pork from Canada
, and not using artificial flavors, colors, fillers, extenders or MSG
. In 1975, they relocated to their present location in Philadelphia when their original facility needed to be cleared for the Interstate Highway System
. When Federal guidelines changed about shipping meat, Dietz & Watson began to branch out to neighboring states and would eventually move into Japan
, developing a growing market in Asia
.
. Other charities include Susan G. Komen for the Cure
, Crohn's
& Colitis
research, Police Athletic League
, the Golden Slipper Organization, United Service Organizations
, and, in sponsorship with the Philadelphia Eagles
, the Hometown Heroes program.
threatened to ban sale of their product to supermarkets that continued to also carry Dietz and Watson. Dietz and Watson fired back with a blind taste test in Charlotte
where the Philadelphia-based company was the overwhelming winner. During a charity event in Sarasota, Florida
where Dietz and Watson products were taste-tested, Boar's Head appeared to disrupt the festivities. While there are no strong figures to say either way, Louis Eni (CEO for Dietz and Watson) claims his company is the second largest deli meat processor in the US with Boar's Head as the largest.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
manufacturer of delicatessen
Delicatessen
Delicatessen is a term meaning "delicacies" or "fine foods". The word entered English via German,with the old German spelling , plural of Delikatesse "delicacy", ultimately from Latin delicatus....
foods, based in Philadelphia.
History
Dietz & Watson was founded in 1939 by Gottlieb Dietz, a GermanGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
sausage maker
Sausage making
Sausage making originally developed as a means to preserve and transport meat. Primitive societies learned that dried berries and spices could be added to dried meat. By 600-500 BC there is mention of sausages from China, Rome and Greece. Sausages come in two main types: fresh and cured. Cured...
fleeing the economic collapse of his country in wake of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. Using capitol raised by working at a meat packing plant for almost two decades, Dietz bought the ailing Watson Meat Company and combined his name with the business' former owner Walter Watson (who took on the role of sales manager). Initially a small operation, when Dietz' daughter Ruth Eni took control of the company after her father passed, she built the company to be the largest deli meat purveyor in Philadelphia. A family run business, the company is in its third generation under Dietz' grandchildren. With facilities in Philadelphia, Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
(in the former Parks Sausage Company plant), Corfu, NY
Corfu, New York
Corfu is a village in Genesee County, New York, United States. The population was 795 at the 2000 census. It is named after the Island of Corfu....
(in the former Yancey's Fancy Inc./Kutter's Cheese Factory) and Delanco, NJ
Delanco Township, New Jersey
Delanco Township is a Township in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the township population was 3,237....
, they employ over 1,000 people. The company is known for their high quality meat, importing beef from the Midwest
Midwestern United States
The Midwestern United States is one of the four U.S. geographic regions defined by the United States Census Bureau, providing an official definition of the American Midwest....
and pork from Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and not using artificial flavors, colors, fillers, extenders or MSG
Monosodium glutamate
Monosodium glutamate, also known as sodium glutamate or MSG, is the sodium salt of glutamic acid, one of the most abundant naturally occurring non-essential amino acids....
. In 1975, they relocated to their present location in Philadelphia when their original facility needed to be cleared for the Interstate Highway System
Interstate Highway System
The Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, , is a network of limited-access roads including freeways, highways, and expressways forming part of the National Highway System of the United States of America...
. When Federal guidelines changed about shipping meat, Dietz & Watson began to branch out to neighboring states and would eventually move into Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, developing a growing market in Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
.
Charity Work
Beyond being one of the few remaining large-scale factories based in Philadelphia, Dietz & Watson contributes to local charities such as the Police and Fire Departments and the Battleship New Jersey Museum and MemorialBattleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial
The Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial is located at 62 Battleship Place, Camden, New Jersey, United States. This museum ship preserves and displays the , the most decorated battleship to have served in the U.S. Navy and one of the largest ever built....
. Other charities include Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Susan G. Komen for the Cure, formerly known as The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, often referred to as simply Komen, is the most widely known, largest and best-funded breast cancer organization in the US....
, Crohn's
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease, also known as regional enteritis, is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus, causing a wide variety of symptoms...
& Colitis
Colitis
In medicine, colitis refers to an inflammation of the colon and is often used to describe an inflammation of the large intestine .Colitides may be acute and self-limited or chronic, i.e...
research, Police Athletic League
Police Athletic League
The Police Athletic League is an organization in many American police departments in which members of the police force coach young people, both boys and girls, in sports, and help with homework and other school-related activities. The purpose is to build character, help strengthen police-community...
, the Golden Slipper Organization, United Service Organizations
United Service Organizations
The United Service Organizations Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization that provides morale and recreational services to members of the U.S. military, with programs in 160 centers worldwide. Since 1941, it has worked in partnership with the Department of Defense , and has provided support and...
, and, in sponsorship with the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, the Hometown Heroes program.
Boar's Head Controversy
Reportedly, Boar's Head Provision CompanyBoar's Head Provision Company
Boar's Head Provision Company is a supplier of delicatessen meats and cheeses. The company was founded in 1905 in the New York City area and now distributes its products throughout the United States....
threatened to ban sale of their product to supermarkets that continued to also carry Dietz and Watson. Dietz and Watson fired back with a blind taste test in Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
where the Philadelphia-based company was the overwhelming winner. During a charity event in Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota is a city located in Sarasota County on the southwestern coast of the U.S. state of Florida. It is south of the Tampa Bay Area and north of Fort Myers...
where Dietz and Watson products were taste-tested, Boar's Head appeared to disrupt the festivities. While there are no strong figures to say either way, Louis Eni (CEO for Dietz and Watson) claims his company is the second largest deli meat processor in the US with Boar's Head as the largest.
See Also
- Amoroso's Baking CompanyAmoroso's Baking CompanyAmoroso's Baking Company is a Philadelphia based, family-owned company that specializes in hearth baked breads and rolls. Over the years the Amoroso sandwich roll has become synonymous with those Philadelphia culinary institutions, the hoagie and the cheesesteak.-History:The company was founded in...
- Federal Pretzel Baking CompanyFederal Pretzel Baking CompanyFederal Pretzel Baking Company of South Philadelphia was the first large scale manufacturing soft pretzel factory in Philadelphia and the United States of America...
- Herr's SnacksHerr's SnacksHerr's is a Nottingham, Pennsylvania-based brand of snack foods, most notably potato chips. While their products are sold throughout the Eastern United States and Canada, their stronghold is the Mid-Atlantic region. -History:...
- TastykakeTastykakeTastykake is the brandname for a line of snack foods manufactured by the Tasty Baking Company, currently headquartered at the Philadelphia Naval Business Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Established in 1914 by Philip J. Baur and Herbert T...
- Utz Quality Foods, Inc.Utz Quality Foods, Inc.Utz Quality Foods, Inc. , based in Hanover, Pennsylvania, is the largest independent privately held snack brand in the United States. The company was founded in 1921 and distributes a variety of potato chips and other snack foods throughout the United States....