Our Company

In 1973 Ernest L. Groeb Jr. (Father) involved his high-school-age sons, Ernie and Troy, in a beekeeping operation. They called their partnership "ETE Honey".

As the years progressed, the family kept the bees, establishing a working operation of over 5,000 hives in Michigan, Florida and Wisconsin. In 1984 the family changed the name to Groeb Farms, Inc. (GFI) and expanded their Onsted, Michigan operation by processing their Honey for the Foodservice and Industrial Markets. That same year, the Groeb family processed approximately 400,000 pounds of Honey!

Recognizing the Industrial and Foodservice markets appeared to be future growth markets, the owners knew they must differentiate themselves from other Honey packers to continue growth. Products such as Peanut Butter, Mustard, Molasses and Vinegar were added to complement the Honey, thus Groeb Farms became a "One Stop Shop" supplier.

In 1987, Groeb Farms bought a Honey packer in Belleview, Florida and in 2007 a third honey processing operation was opened in Baytown, Texas. In 2010, a fourth addition of Miller's American Honey to the Groeb organization has helped to provide customers the opportunity for national coverage.

Today, Groeb Farms buys Honey from more than 40+ states and countries around the world. Groeb Farms, Inc. packs 85+ million pounds annually. GFI is the largest honey packer in the world. The sales of these products are accomplished with the combination of GFI staff and one of the world's largest brokerage network!

If you ask the "Groeb's", they'll say they have been very fortunate. The success of Groeb Farms, Inc. is directly attributable to four things:

• Nurturing a contented, productive staff of 100+ employees who approach production with a TQM attitude.
• Building a national sales/marketing system that includes a company-owned trucking fleet, 9 warehouses nationwide and a value-oriented sales staff.
• Product quality, educating our customers and personable service
• Family Comes First!

"Our people are what makes this company grow... I have a tremendous respect for all
the people who work for us. They want to be
the best."

– Ernest L. Groeb Jr.

Shooting the bull