MENGENAI EPISOD INI
Country Maid began in a farmhouse basement in West Bend and grew into a national food manufacturer whose products have helped organizations raise more than $380 million. In this episode of Made in Iowa, host Leisa Fox talks with President and CEO Darin Massner about how the maker of Butter Braid pastries scaled its reach while protecting the hand craftsmanship, faith-rooted values and people-first culture at the center of the business.
Massner explains how fundraising became Country Maid’s growth engine and how the company expanded into retail, wholesale and private-label channels. He shares where automation improves consistency, food safety and capacity, and why some steps, including the signature hand braiding, remain intentionally human. The conversation also explores real-time production data, traceability, product reformulation and the challenge of preserving institutional knowledge as experienced employees retire.
As a 100% employee-owned company, Country Maid measures success differently. Massner discusses what ownership looks like on the production floor, how family-friendly policies support retention, and why West Bend remains central to the company’s future. It is a story of small-town craftsmanship scaled through employee ownership and modern manufacturing.
Presenting sponsor: @wellmarkbcbs https://www.wellmark.com/Made-in-Iowa
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