Our Story
Established in 1947, Stevison Meat Co. has been making the finest pork, beef, poultry and lamb using only the finest cuts and the highest quality herbs, spices and ingredients.
1947: Founded
A family owned business going back three generations to its foundation by Raymond A. Stevison.
Research & Development
We are one of the few meat processors who perform ideation and development work for their customers.
Food Safety
Grade of AA in our BRC certifications and consistently score 95% or higher in standard customer audits.
Raymond A. Stevison
Early Beginnings
The Stevison Meat Company was founded in 1947 by Raymond A. Stevison. Ray came home from World War II, and like many Americans, he began to build his future.
He became a jobber by buying and selling hams around the St. Louis, Missouri area. While building his sales, getting married and having three boys, he built the Stevison Meat Company.
Business Expansion
As his business kept growing, he began outselling his supplier. One day his supplier said “Ray, you are buying so many hams I don’t have enough to sell my customers. Why don’t I show you how I make them, and you can go into business for yourself?” At this point, Ray’s business really starting taking off by refining what he was taught and making the best hams in St. Louis. Ray built his first manufacturing plant in St. Louis, which created the foundation from which we grew into the state of the art plant we have today located in Portland, TN.
Leaving A Legacy
Ray’s three sons worked in the business and two of them, Mike & Dave, followed in Ray’s footsteps. Mike got his degree from St. Louis University in 1969 with a major in Sociology. Ray talked to Mike about his aspirations, and Mike explained he wanted to help people, so he was going to be a social worker. Ray asked Mike how many people & families he thought he could help. He was told not to expect high numbers, but he could probably make a real impact on 4-5 families a year. Ray, being great in sales, asked Mike if he employed 100 people and they could help everyone they knew, and those people who were helped could help others, doesn’t he think that would have a greater impact? Mike became the President, and Dave became the Director of Food Safety & Quality Assurance. As Ray retired, Mike took over and followed Ray’s path by getting married and having two kids while continuing to build the business. Mike grew the business from selling across Missouri to selling all over the world and working with the biggest names in the meat industry.
Third Generation:
Mike’s two kids, Sean & Lara, worked in the business growing up the same way many of their relatives did over the years. Sean got his degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 1998 with a major in Marketing. Mike talked to Sean about his aspirations the same way Ray did so many years before. Sean decided to join the business out of college and promised Mike 5 years, but could not guarantee he will stay. Mike understood but explained the impact the business has had on so many lives and its importance to the community. Sean became the President, and Lara became the Secretary & Treasurer. Mike is still active in the business as the Chairman, but is planning his retirement. As Mike has been handing over the company, Sean has followed Mike’s path by getting married and having two kids while continuing to build the business and expand the product line to include Beef, Pork, Poultry, and Lamb.
History Timeline
1947-1971
Founded by Raymond A. Stevison
1971-1980
Moved to Portland, TN
1980-1990
Co-packing, food-service
1990-2000
Customer base expands
2000-2010
Became the primary supplier of fully cooked pork to one of the major bacon companies in the US.
2010-2018
Exporting to Australia, Became BRC certified, Plant expansion, launched whole Smoked Turkey
- Earned the Vendor of the Year Award for Innovation from one of the largest food distribution companies in the United States, by creating an all-natural line of products for their brand. Became BRC Certified, Grade A.
Expanded our export offering in Australia to include varieties of ham and sausages. Began exporting our smoked sausages and hams to Mexico. - Began our expansion plans to increase our cooking, packing, storage, export and shipping capacities. This expansion would double our size and allow us to fully diversify our product offering. We broke ground for the expansion in Q4 of 2015. In 2015 we received the grade of AA under the new BRC grading system.
- Opened the new expansion in October of 2016. Began working with Costco Wholesale on various projects.
- Our new Whole Smoked Turkey launched in Fall 2017 at Costco stores across the country.
- Developed new smokehouse line of pork, beef and poultry products for Robert Irvine Foods to be sold at all of the military bases in the US.
Stevison’s Meat Co. makes the best Ham, Sausage, Ribs, Turkey, Pork loin and more!
Stevison Meat Company
We supply international and domestic food-service distribution to companies and restaurant chains. We process products for the largest food companies in the world. Our product line has grown from hams and sausage, to over 200 different products. Some of which include: Beef Brisket, Beef Tri-Tip, London Broil, Roast Beef, Corned Beef, Pastrami, Boston Butts, Various Styles of Turkey Breast, Whole Smoked Turkeys and Drumsticks, Australian Bacon, Cotto Salami, Patented Bone-In Ham Steak, Ribs, Pork Roast, Pork Chops and more.
Stevison Meat Co.
Careers
Resources
Connect With Us
Phone
1-800-844-4267
sales@stevisonham.com
Address
125 Stevison Ham Rd
Portland, TN 37148