Press Releases

5/08 - A Story With Local Flavor And Nyc Style

Albany meat processor christens first retail outlet.

Albany, New York – Old World Provisions, Inc., Albany, NY today will cut the ribbon (actually, a chain of hot dog links) on its first ever retail outlet store branded as Old World Provisions Outlet.

Located in downtown Albany’s historic South End, Old World Provisions is a manufacturer of authentic New York deli meat products. For over 60 years and four generations, the company has been supplying “Best-in-Class” pastrami, corned beef and beef tongue to the finest and most famous delis across the country. Now with the opening of the Old World Provisions Outlet store, located adjacent to the company’s plant, the public can purchase these prized meats by the pound, hot and sliced to order. In addition, the store offers real NY rye bread, deli mustard, deli pickles and Dr. Brown’s soda – all selected because they are the same products found in NYC’s iconic delicatessens. The store will also market hot dogs, salami, beef bacon and beef tongue.

Old World CEO Mark S. Shuket commented, “Our desire to open this store was based on several key motivators. The unit will serve as a test kitchen for our manufacturing operations, enabling us to continue to produce the very best products for our wholesale accounts. The store also serves as a training center for our food service customers who will be guided through the process of preparing and serving our meats. And finally the opportunity to face the public directly with our product, gives us primary consumer research.”

Today’s ribbon-cutting, scheduled for 11AM, will host a wide array of local and state elected officials as well as representatives from economic development agencies such as the NYS Agriculture and Markets’ Pride of New York program and the Downtown Albany BID. Product sampling throughout the day will be part of the celebration.

Shuket went on to say, “Every item we sell is real New York deli. The bread is baked at Rockland Bakery - supplier to most of NY’s best delis, the pickles are shipped fresh to us from The Pickle Guys on NY’s lower east side and our mustard is the famous Gold’s brand made in Brooklyn. Our menu is the real thing. Not that driving to New York City is such a bad way to spend the day, but with gasoline at over $4.00 a gallon, the drive to downtown Albany is a lot easier and less expensive.”

About Old World Provisions

The company began as State National Provisions on Westerlo Street in Albany, NY in 1942. Shuket purchased the company in 1991 and merged it with his JoMar Provisions a Bronx, NY meat processing company he founded with his father in 1981. The new company emerged as Old World Provisions. Today, Mr. Shuket’s sons Seth and Ross are members of the company’s management team and represent the fourth generation to be in the meat business. Mr. Shuket’s grandfather was the General Manager of the Hebrew National brand

Recently, the company completed the acquisition of the highly regarded Fritz Helmbold hot dog plant and outlet market in Troy, NY.

The company employs nearly 50 between its Albany and Troy operations.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

Additional info can be found at:

Old World Provisions Outlet - pastramiandcornedbeefoutlet.com

Old World Provisions, Inc. – pastramiandcornedbeef.com

Fritz Helmbold Brand – helmbolds.com

5/08 - Old World Provisions Acquires Helmbold

Two Capital Region Meat Processors combine for growth.

Albany, New York – Old World Provisions, Inc., Albany, NY today announced the acquisition of Fritz Helmbold, Troy, NY.  Effective May 9, 2008, Old World Provisions assumes ownership of all Helmbold hard assets, brands and recipes.

The combination of Old World Provisions and Helmbold will enable the company to produce and sell a wider array of meat products, leverage each other’s customer bases and ensure more consistent seasonal selling patterns. Together, the two companies will meet a wider set of customer needs and have a significantly greater opportunity to grow into new markets.

“Our desire to pursue this acquisition was considerable. We foresee significant operational advantages when the two companies are combined via boosted economies of scale. In addition, we forecast greater sales revenue and market share as well as a more diversified product line,” commented Mark S. Shuket, President / CEO of Old World Provisions. Mr. Shuket went on to say, “Helmbold’s, under the care of the Widmer family, has built a brand based upon unmatched quality and customer service. Those values are consistent with our core beliefs. My family and staff are excited about working with our new team members.”

In the combined company, Shuket will continue as president / chief executive officer. Marilyn Widmer will remain with the company as Helmbold Brand Manager. Mr. Jerry Viasner, a 35 year industry veteran, has been named Plant Manager for the Helmbold Troy operation. Mr. Viasner has served locally as a plant manager at both Levonian Brothers and Bilinski’s Sausage Manufacturing Company

Kurt Widmer, Helmbold President, stated: “For our family, customers and employees, we felt the time was right for our company to embark on a growth plan. The Shuket family and its outstanding team will give the time-honored Helmbold brand an excellent opportunity to grow regionally and nationally.”

Integration and Expansion

The two companies are implementing integration plans that build on the cultural similarities and the best business and product development practices from each company.

"While we anticipate the integration process will identify opportunities for cost savings, the primary motivation for the two companies joining is to continue to expand and grow our business into new markets," said Shuket.

Mr. Shuket expects to make a substantial investment in equipment, people and buildings as he grows the business.

Old World Provisions currently employs 30 at its Albany plant. It is hoped that Helmbold’s current staff of 15 may grow by 20% within a year should business goals be met.

Both companies also support retail outlet operations at or near their respective plants.

About Old World Provisions

Old World Provisions, a manufacturer of real New York deli meat products. For over 65 years the company has been supplying “Best-in-Class” pastrami, corned beef, beef tongue and hot dogs to the finest and most famous delis across the country.

The company began as State National Provisions on Westerlo Street in Albany, NY in 1942. Shuket purchased the company in 1991 and merged it with his JoMar Provisions a Bronx, NY meat processing company he founded with his father in 1981. The new company emerged as Old World Provisions. Today, Mr. Shuket’s sons Seth and Ross are members of the company’s management team and represent the fourth generation to be in the meat business. Mr. Shuket’s grandfather was the General Manager of Hebrew National brand.

Mr. Shuket is the current President of the North American Meat Packers Association. NAMP, founded in 1942 is a non-profit industry organization. Members are meat processing companies both large and small throughout the United States, Canada and other parts of the world who share a continuing commitment to provide their customers with safe, reliable and consistent meat, poultry, seafood, game and other products.

About Helmbold

Fritz Helmbold founded company in 1913 on 4th. Street in downtown Troy NY.

Kurt Widmer, a former executive with the Zum Zum chain of meat stores in Manhattan and Montreal, purchased the company in 1968. In 1971, he and his wife Denise built the current plant and retail store and moved the company there.

Mr. Widmer was born and raised near Zurich, Switzerland where he learned the craft of sausage making. His reputation as a respected and sought-after sausage maker was well established across Europe before he immigrated to the United States in 1959.

Helmbold’s is a true family story. Over the years the business has been run by Mr. and Mrs. Widmer, son Roland Widmer, daughters Marilyn Widmer and Heidi Yetto and her husband David Yetto. Even the Widmer’s grandchildren have worked for the company.

Helmbold’s Brand hot dogs and other products are sold throughout the region at numerous retail markets including Price Chopper stores and are shipped by special order all over the country. Helmbold’s iconic hot dogs are sold at Gus’ Hot Dogs, Watervliet, Famous Lunch, Troy and at Ted’s Fish Fry stores as well as many other restaurants throughout the Capital District

Additional Information and Where to Find It

Additional info can be found at:

Old World Provisions, Inc. –  pastramiandcornedbeef.com

Fritz Helmbold, Inc. – helmbolds.com

11/07 - Mark Shuket featured in National Trade Association Article

In a competitive market like today’s, one of the best ways to maximize profits is to get the maximum use out of products and supplies. One of the most basic ways to do that is to get the best yield for the product that comes in from suppliers. Mark Shuket offers his opinions on the market and true production goals.

Read entire article

10/07 - Mark Shuket, President of Old World Provisions, Elected NAMP president

Mark Shuket, President of Old World Provisions, Albany, NY, was elected president of
The North American Meat Processors Association (NAMP) during its annual convention last week in Tucson, AZ.

In accepting the year-long position, Shuket said, “The meat industry is facing many challenges today and NAMP is an organization well-suited to meeting those challenges.
“I’m honored at being asked to take on this responsibility, and I plan to work hard to further the goals and enhan

The North American Meat Processors Association is a non-profit industry organization, now in its seventh decade. Its members are meat processing companies and associates who share a continuing commitment to provide their customers with safe, reliable and consistent meat, poultry, seafood, game and other products.

The Association, founded in 1942, is a member-driven organization with member companies both large and small throughout the United States, Canada and other parts of the world.

NAMP serves the business and professional needs of its members through a variety of services and educational programs, meetings and seminars.

9/07 - National Article about how Old World Provisions sets itself apart with authentic New York-style deli meats.
by Tom Wray, Associate Editor, Provisioneronline.com

One thing some tourists really want on a visit to New York City is a hot pastrami on rye or a good corned beef sandwich. Just so they can get a real taste of the culture of the city. Thanks to Old World Provisions, they don’t have to travel that far.

Old World, which also does business under the name New York State National, is a “New York” style deli meat producer based in Albany, N.Y. It’s a family-run business, with the fourth generation now working with the company.

Mark Shuket, current president of Old World, says the company got its start with his grandfather, who worked for Hebrew National before moving out to start his own company. His own history with pastrami started in his 20s, when he started working with his father. He worked with his father for 10 years before they moved the company from its original home base of New York City to Albany, the state capital.
Since then, the company has grown by leaps and bounds. “It was doing $750,000 in business,” Shuket says. “We will do in excess of $12 million this year.” The company’s revenue has grown 15 percent per year on average.

Read entire article

6/07: Old World Provisions President Mark Shuket elected to serve as North American Meat Processors Association President

The North American Meat Processors Association (NAMP), founded in 1942, is an international nonprofit trade association dedicated to meat processing organizations that provide customers with reliable and safe meat, poultry, seafood, game and other products. A member-driven organization, NAMP offers both services and educational programs designed to help members achieve business success.

1/06 - Corned beef, pastrami, salami: Shuket's recipe for growth
The Business Review (Albany) - by Eric Durr The Business Review

Forget Christmas. When you're in the corned beef business, St. Patrick's Day is it.

For Mark Shuket, president and CEO of Old World Provisions, peak season starts in December and ends in a feast of corned beef and cabbage--and Irish nostalgia--on March 17. Fifty percent of the company's $10 million in annual sales occur during those four months.

Read entire article

11/05: Old World Provisions awarded Small Business of the Year: Albany Business Review Achievement Award Winner for 2005

The Business Review's (www.albany.bizjournals.com) Achievement Small Business Award winner for 2005 is Old World Provisions.

In the 15 years since moving his specialty meat products company from The Bronx to Albany, Mark Shuket has seen annual sales revenues for Old World Provisions grow from $750,000 to more than $8 million. And this year the company is on track to break the $10 million mark in sales. The company employs approximately 20 people at its Albany plant, shipping non-kosher meat products throughout much of the country. Old World has been especially successful finding business in Las Vegas and Atlantic City casinos and other markets where New York City-style deli foods are on the menu. Winners were honored at The Business Review's 22nd annual Achievement Awards dinner Nov. 3, 2005 at the The Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Albany.      

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