Rome Grinding Solutions celebrates its 45th year in business. It is a third-generation family operated business that has always been majority women owned. The company was founded in 1977 by Dolores and Dan Boster in Ankeny, Iowa as a refined oil and milling equipment manufacturer.
In 1986 the company moved to Sheldon, Iowa, where the headquarters are still located. In 1989, Rome was then purchased by the Boster’s daughter, Bonnie Weaver and her husband, Mike Weaver. Less than a decade later, the market demand shifted the company’s focus to food processing and in 1997, the first 2 complete grinders were sold to a large meat processor. In 2002, Bonnie and Mike’s daughter Kate Rome became partial owner and worked in various roles to completely understand the business operations. In 2015, she assumed the role of President.
In regards to the anniversary, Kate Rome states,
“I am proud of the hard work that my grandparents and parents put in to lay the foundation for such a healthy company. I am humbled by the opportunity to make an impact on our local community and the various industries that we serve. I strongly anticipate a bright future for Rome Grinding Solutions and all of the people that are part of the Rome team.”
Rome Grinding Solutions has since expanded greatly under the leadership of Kate Rome, and is currently serving the meat, poultry, pet food, rendering, seafood, produce, dairy, ingredient, recycling, and pharmaceutical industries. The company offers grinders and equipment, audits and service, and spare and wearable parts.
The production facility has expanded from a humble 6,200 square feet in 1977 to over 70,000 square feet today. Rome now employs 61 people and has satellite offices in Arizona, Colorado, and Maryland in addition to the Sheldon, Iowa location.