Grote Company, an industrial food equipment manufacturer, has announced the retirement of Tom Mathues, Chief Development Officer, effective December 31, 2018, after 15 years with the company.  He will remain on the company's advisory board.

Mathues started with Grote Company as Vice President of Engineering and Manufacturing in 2004, and has served in several roles within Grote Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Vanmark Equipment, since.  This includes President of Vanmark following its acquisition in 2007 and later merger with GME (now Vanmark's Boise location).  For the last several years, Tom has developed new international facets of the business, including the opening of the Vanmark factory in India.

“It is with mixed emotions that we make this announcement,” says CEO Bob Grote.  “Tom has been an integral cog of our business over these years and contributed mightily to our growth.  We will miss his detail, his intelligence, his unbridled curiosity and the endless energy he demonstrated daily in his quest for our company's success.”  To personally show Tom your appreciation, visit the Vanmark area of the Columbia Food Machinery booth #1355 at Food Northwest, January 14-16.

About Grote Company
Grote Company manufactures reliable, top-quality food slicing and assembly equipment.  Their trusted equipment is expertly designed and built strong for pizza, sandwich and slicing applications.

About Vanmark
Vanmark expertly manufactures industrial potato and produce processing equipment that optimizes in-process storage, washing, peeling and cutting processes.  Learn more at vanmark.com