Frozen treat maker sold

Derek Redd
CHANGING HANDS — The Ziegenfelder Co. announced Thursday that it has been acquired by The Armstrong Group, a company based in Butler, Pa. On hand for the announcement were, from left, Ziegenfelder CEO Kevin Heller, Lisa Allen, outgoing chair of the company’s board of directors, and Barry Allen, outgoing company president.

WHEELING — The Ziegenfelder Co. has been a part of Lisa Allen’s family since her grandfather started there in the 1930s. She grew up in the Wheeling-based company, eventually becoming its CEO and guiding it through national expansion and into a leader in the frozen treat industry.

Looking back through a life’s worth of memories, Allen admits it’s a little bittersweet to bid farewell to the Ziegenfelder Company. Ziegenfelder announced Thursday that it has been acquired by the Armstrong Group, based in Butler, Pa.

But when she looks forward to the future of the company and the potential there, she feels a great deal of joy.

“It’s more sweet than bitter, to be honest,” Allen, who retired as CEO in 2019 and became chair of the company’s board of directors, said. “We look forward to standing on the sidelines and watching our tribe grow, watching our product become available in more outlets across the country and around the globe. It’s very sweet for us.”

As far as changes in the operations of the company — whose Budget Saver Twin Pops can be found in stores throughout the country — there shouldn’t be any, Ziegenfelder CEO Kevin Heller said. Heller will remain in his position as well as all other seasoned leadership.

“Things here are going to continue to run exactly as they have been,” Heller said. “We met with our employees this morning and said what they did yesterday is what they’ll do today, tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now, a year from now.

“We plan to keep things exactly the same,” he added. “Everyone here has their job. We’re looking for more people. The news for us, really, is that we’re growing.”

Allen said it wasn’t until the past year that this process began. She admitted this transition was not the original plan, that she and her family love the business. But as things evolved, they realized there were many companies looking to work with a business like Ziegenfelder. She said that it was more important to find a match than complete a sale, and she felt that match came in the form of the Armstrong Group.

“They were looking for a company that has strong leadership, that has great values,” Allen said. “They were looking for a company that had a history of growth and a future of growth. They’re relying on our leadership team and our tribe to continue that growth.”

The Armstrong Group’s portfolio includes interest in broadband, video, telephone, security, real estate, electronic manufacturing and HVAC.

“We are excited to add a company with the rich heritage of Ziegenfelder,” said Armstrong Group President and CEO Dru Sedwick. “Their family-centric approach matches well with our culture. Their product offerings are highly regarded in the frozen novelty space, providing great taste at a great value.”

More so than a business fit, Ziegenfelder was looking for a cultural fit in the process. Barry Allen — Lisa Allen’s husband and outgoing company president — said culture has always been important. Employees are referred to as “The Zieggy Tribe.” The company also practices a compassionate hiring program, where the company hires those just released from jail, allowing them to get back on their feet and make a solid living in a supportive environment.

What attracted the Allens to the Armstrong Group, Barry Allen said, was its faith-based company philosophy and a devotion to Christian values and taking care of its people. In discussing the acquisition, the Armstrong Group was very interested in keeping the compassionate hiring program going.

“They feel the same way as we do and they said we’re open to learning more about it,” he said. “There were several opportunities for companies for us to partner with. And if they didn’t check the boxes, we just didn’t talk to them.

“The reality is we have over 350 employees,” Barry Allen continued. “And they’re not perfect and we’re not perfect. All you’ve got to do is walk around the world today and see people need a chance. If you start saying no to everybody, you might as well shut the doors. I’m not sure we could have partnered with any business not willing to take chances on folks like we do.”

What started out as a local ice cream shop has grown through the decades with the help of leadership from Lisa Allen, her father Charles Lando and grandfather Abe Lando. The company now has facilities in California and Colorado and is well-known for its community philanthropy.

Now a new era begins, and Lisa Allen is excited to see what the future holds.

“Our company is ready,” she said. “And they’re strong and they’re prepared for this next step.”