Wachusett Potato Chip Sold
Fitchburg-based Wachusett Potato Chip Co., founded in 1939, has been sold to Pennsylvania-based Utz Potato Chip Co., Wachusett President Edward Krysiak confirmed.
Wachusett was the last remaining independent chip company in the area. Various other chip companies in Massachusetts have closed or been bought over the past 15 years.
Hyannis-based Cape Cod Potato Chips was bought in 1999 and Leominster-based Tri-Sum Potato Chip Co. moved its manufacturing to Ohio around that time.
Utz bought Wachusett's 56,000-square-foot facility Oct. 1 for $1.7 million. Krysiak said the company is also buying Wachusett's inventory and equipment, for which a final price has not been determined.
Krysiak said several of his siblings have passed away over the past 15 years and that he's almost 75 years old. He said he's proud his company outlasted all other New England independent chip companies and that his family gets to walk away with something for their work.
"The offer was a good offer compared to the fact that virtually every other company went the way of the flesh," he said. "They presented us with an opportunity and we felt it was a sound plan."
Krysiak said he has kept the plant's machinery up to date, which he said helped attract Utz to the plant. Utz said in a press release that it plans to produce both Utz and Wachusett lines at the plant, and will increase overall production.
Wachusett's 50 employees will be kept on, Krysiak said. Krysiak and his two nephews have contracts to work with Utz throughout the transition.
Utz also has facilities in Pennsylvania, Lousiana and California.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Tri-Sum Potato Chip Co. in Leominster still makes its products in New England. Tri-Sum still has its distribution in Leominster, but its products are now manufactured in Ohio.
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