Byesville Rotary hears about local international company

Pictured: Chuck Fair, Speaker Host; John Kasinecz, Plant Manager Island Aseptics; and Tanya Hitchens, Byesville Rotary President.

John Kasinecz, plant manager of Island Asceptics, stated that this company which is based in Byesville, has an international business. Products made in the Byesville plant are shipped to 15 countries in the western hemisphere as well as South Africa and China. One of the reasons for choosing Byesville for the plant location is the easy access to two major interstates.

The plant, located at 100 Hope Road in Byesville, operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 51 weeks a year. Six processing and 11 packaging lines are located in a 163,000 square foot space. The local plant has 100 full time employees. Kasinecz explained that business is seasonal. In March through August, production increases. During the high production months, the plant employees 250 people.

International headquarters for the company is located in Walpole, Massachusetts. The headquarters houses the marketing and sales staff. The Byesville plant has the operational expertise and produces products such as beverages, smoothies and bar mixes, and fruit juice concentrates.

Kasinecz pointed out that Island Aseptics is currently the leader in the production of frozen drink concentrates and mixes. The company’s expertise enables them to produce sterile—aseptic—beverages or mixes, put the product into a sterile package, and seal the package so that the beverage will last indefinitely and will not need refrigerated. Getting all the steps exactly right is vital. Island Aseptics prides itself on their quality control and ability to produce products that meet quality standards.

Island Aseptics provides products to restaurants, schools, and the military. This business is bigger than the food business. Some of their customers include Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Restaurants, Royal Caribbean International Cruise Lines, Applebee’s, Olive Garden and Red Lobster, Wal-Mart, Gatorade, Welch’s, ALDI, Kroger, Del Monte, and Procter & Gamble. Byesville residents will have enjoyed one of the company’s products if they ever ordered a fruit smoothie from McDonalds.

Tanya Hitchens reminded club members that next week’s meeting will be a membership breakfast and that the District Governor will be visiting. All club members were asked to invite a prospective member to the breakfast.

Sharon Miller, Interact club advisor, introduced Trislyn Treherne, Interact club secretary, and Karli Tellep, Interact club treasurer. Trislyn and Karli spoke to the club about their school and Internet activities.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Randy Launder, 740-801-0017.