Two Food Firms Planning A Merger

SNOQUALMIE

A merger is in the works between two longtime area food-processing and distributing companies that are purchasing the former Snoqualmie Winery property on Interstate 90.

Monte Vista Distributors Inc., of Snoqualmie, and K&N Meats Inc., of Seattle, announced yesterday the merger will take effect Oct. 1. Monte Vista will become a wholly owned subsidiary of the K&N parent company.

The two companies are among the largest suppliers of food in large quantities to restaurants, stores and fast-food outlets in Western Washington. Monte Vista is owned by George Swenson of Snoqualmie, and K&N by Wayne Keener and Gene Orrico.

The merger is the latest news to come out of the two companies' purchase of the 160-acre Snoqualmie Winery property, formerly owned by the city of Snoqualmie and leased to the Snoqualmie Winery Development Co. for a tasting room and distribution outlet.

Initially, the two companies had planned to buy a 10-acre tract on the east end of the winery property, but they found that it was not large enough to accommodate the planned warehouse and processing plant they needed for their planned dual operation.

In the meantime, the winery development company, which still held a 99-year lease on the property, went into bankruptcy. With the bankruptcy court's approval, the lease was sold to the two companies for $2.9 million and they, in turn, bought the entire property for $2.5 million from the city of Snoqualmie.

"Even though we are two different types of businesses, we have the same philosophy," said Swenson, when he announced the merger yesterday. Swenson said, although he is 65, he is not ready to retire and will continue to run Monte Vista, a company founded by his father, Ralph, 50 years ago. The original Monte Vista Dairy evolved into a distributorship which, among other things, supplies products to all Dairy Queen restaurants in Western Washington.

K&N Meats was founded in 1967 out of the original Keener Meats in Bothell, said Oricco. "The merger is very much a plus and a savings for both companies. We have been looking for a new home for some time," he said. Both companies have outgrown their facilities and have been looking to expansion, Swenson said. Monte Vista is located in downtown Snoqualmie and has no room for expansion or for parking its large tractor-trailer rigs, which haul food products to stores and restaurants throughout Western Washington.

Oricco said K&N is operating out of four different places - a meat and refrigerated products distribution warehouse in Renton serving Costco stores, two processing and distribution warehouses in Seattle and a fish company in Seattle. All but the Renton facility will be moved to Snoqualmie, he said.