Founded in 1979, Katun is the world’s largest supplier of OEM-compatible imaging supplies, photoreceptors, and parts for the office equipment industry. We serve more than 18,000 customers in more than 150 countries from our headquarters in Minneapolis and dozens of worldwide locations.
Via our Online Catalogue, we offer an extensive line of OEM-alternative copier parts, imaging supplies, photoreceptors, printer products and service accessories. At our state-of-the-art Research and Development Annex, technicians ensure that Katun products deliver performance, reliability and compatibility with OEM products.
In September 2008, Monomoy Capital Partners, an equity partnership, purchased Katun
Swiss Valley
Company History
In August of 1958, two Midwest dairy cooperatives, Iowa Illinois and Quality Milk, began the process of merging together to form a brand new cooperative – Mississippi Valley Milk Producers Association (MVMPA). The new co-op set up its headquarters in Davenport, Iowa, where it is still located to this day.
The Swiss Valley Farms brand name was first adopted for use on packaging in 1977 and the cooperative officially changed its name from MVMPA to Swiss Valley Farms in 1981.
Here is a brief summary of the highlights from the history of Swiss Valley Farms – formerly Mississippi Valley Milk Producers Association (MVMPA):
In 1962, MVMPA purchased the Buckhorn Co-op Creamery, Maquoketa, Iowa. For many years, this plant served the cooperative as a butter-printing plant and later on was remodeled to be a non-fat milk, milk protein and whey drying plant. It was sold in 1997 to another Midwest cooperative, Farmland.
In 1976, SVF purchased Hilldale Dairy in Dubuque, Iowa, which is in the heart of the co-op’s huge dairy producer region in northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin. Over the years, the facility has been completely remodeled and expanded until it barely resembles the original building. The plant is now one of the most automated and efficient bottling plants in the Upper Midwest, supplying major regional grocery store chains, independent grocers, warehouse clubs and foodservice companies with “fresh from the farm” bottled dairy products.
During the school year, millions of half-pint paper cartons of milk are filled here and shipped to thousands of school children in Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. Two plastic blow-mold machines produce thousands of gallon jugs for grocery stores.
In 1978, Swiss Valley Farms began bottling milk in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in a milk bottling facility it purchased from Land O’Lakes. In 1987, SVF consolidated all of its milk bottling to the Dubuque, Iowa, facility and began producing cultured dairy products at its Cedar Rapids facility, such as cottage cheese, sour cream, dips and yogurt. This cultured plant was remodeled and updated in 2002, and it continues to be updated as the years progress. In 2005, Swiss Valley Farms launched a new line of yogurts with reformulated flavors and packages. The new Blueberry yogurt won First Place at the 2005 World Dairy Expo Dairy Products Competition.
When one out of ten people in the United States bites into a piece of Swiss cheese, it’s Swiss Valley Farms cheese they are eating. That’s because between the co-op’s Swiss cheese plant in Luana, Iowa and its Swiss plant in Platteville, Wis., it produces 10% of the Swiss cheese eaten in the U.S.
The Luana plant is the larger of these two plants, and is one of the largest and most efficient Swiss cheese plants in the United States
Acquired in 1967 when Swiss Valley Farms merged with the Northeast Iowa Dairy Cooperative, the Luana Swiss cheese plant became one of the cooperative’s flagship cheese plants. In 1971, Swiss Valley Farms renovated this plant to produce a popular specialty cheese, traditional Emmenthaler Swiss, in 100-lb blocks. Since then, the plant has been extensively expanded and remodeled. In 2001, state-of-the-art Swiss cheese making equipment was installed. The Swiss cheese made here has collected numerous awards nationally and internationally.
In addition to the Swiss, some of the best cream cheese in the nation is also made at this plant, using sweet cream and other fresh ingredients. This results in the excellent cream cheese flavor and body popular with both food service customers and master bakers for its excellent blending and baking properties. This cream cheese, too, consistently wins awards in the U.S. and abroad for its excellence.
In 1997, Swiss Valley Farms acquired the Old Wisconsin Cheese plant in Platteville, Wisconsin. This Swiss cheese plant has been recently updated and has increased its production. It produces both the traditional Emmenthaler Swiss cheese, as well as Baby Swiss, a milder, creamier and less-aged version of Swiss cheese. Over the years, the Platteville plant has won its share of cheese awards, including First Place at the Wisconsin State Fair.
Also in 1997, Swiss Valley Farms merged with another large Midwest dairy cooperative, Tri-State Milk Producers Association. Along with this excellent merger came a choice Blue cheese plant in Mindoro, Wisconsin. In 2001, this specialty cheese plant was expanded and remodeled, doubling its size. Wheels of Danish-style Blue cheese and Gorgonzola are produced there and sold to grocery stores and delis throughout the Midwest.
In 2001, the cooperative purchased Rochester Cheese, LLC, which is one of the premier producers of private label, grated, hard Italian-style cheeses such as Parmesan and Romano, as well as a preferred supplier of cheese-based food ingredients and a variety of processed cheeses.
Rochester Cheese is comprised of three processing and distribution locations in Minnesota and one location in Missouri. The Spring Valley plant is located thirty miles southeast of Rochester, Minnesota. The Dalbo plant is located about sixty miles north of Minneapolis. The company headquarters is located in Rochester, Minnesota, along with the main warehouse. The International Ingredient Systems division is located in Springfield, Missouri.
Swiss Valley Farms continues to strive to be a leader in its regional Midwest markets and keeps its eyes open to any mergers or expansions that fit into its overall vision of success for its member-owners.
Purina
At Purina we're passionately committed to making pets' lives better.
At Nestle Purina PetCare, we're passionately committed to making pets' lives better. As the pace of change in pet care accelerates, our challenge is to lead with fresh, innovative approaches to making the lives of dogs and cats better. We are proud of our heritage, and we are constantly exploring new trends and ideas that define the future of pet care and of Nestle Purina.
Purina is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nestlé S.A., Avenue Nestlé 551800 Vevey, Switzerland.
Exelon's newest nuclear power stations, is located in Central Illinois, in the middle of a triangle of the cities of Bloomington/Normal to the north, Champaign/Urbana to the east, and Decatur to the south. The station is located just six miles east of Clinton, Ill. in DeWitt County. The station is built on a 14,300-acre site, and its 5000-acre cooling lake was formed by building a dam at the convergence of Salt Creek and the North Fork of Salt Creek. Clinton Power Station provided electricity to customers for the first time on April 24, 1987 and reached 100 percent power on September 15, 1987. The initial construction cost for the station was $4.25 billion.
Clinton Power Station’s reactor was designed by General Electric. The unit is capable of generating nearly 1,065 net megawatts and can produce enough power to support the electricity needs of about one million average American homes.
Clinton Site Vice President is Russ Kearney. The Plant Manager is Mark Kanavos.
Emergency Planning:
Clinton employs a sophisticated emergency response plan to protect public health and safety. Both the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the state of Illinois approved the plan. The emergency plan includes coordination with local counties, municipalities and school districts.
Supporting the Local Economy:
Clinton has about 530 AmerGen employees. The majority of Clinton’s employees live in DeWitt, McLean, Macon and Champaign counties. Additionally, during refuel outages, Clinton employs several hundred temporary contractors, who boost the local economy during their stay.
AmerGen pays local real estate taxes totaling about $9.2 million for 2004 to support county and township government, area schools, libraries, park districts and other taxing bodies.
Community Involvement:
Clinton’s goal is to be a good neighbor and is very active in the local community. The station sponsor’s several community events including Artists Alley’s seasonal art exhibits at the historic Vespasian Warner Public Library in Clinton. The station also sponsors numerous other community events and youth sports teams.
Clinton employees give generously to the community through a variety of charitable activities. Employees donate about $60,000 annually to local United Way chapters. The station also sponsors blood drives throughout the year, helping area blood banks supply the needs of area hospitals. The station's Diversity Committee also runs food, toy and fund drives to support various community groups and agencies. In addition, the station is a member of the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce.
APAC
As the largest government-owned weapons manufacturing arsenal in the western world, the Rock Island Arsenal [RIA] provides manufacturing, logistics, and base support services for the Armed Forces. The Arsenal is an active U.S. Army factory, which manufactures ordnance and equipment for the Armed Forces. Some of the Arsenal's most successful manufactured products include the M198 and M119 Towed Howitzers, and the M1A1 Gun Mount.
Noted for its expertise in the manufacture of weapons and weapon components, every phase of development and production is available from prototype to full-scale production of major items, spare parts, and repair items. Product items range from artillery gun mounts and recoil mechanisms to aircraft weapons sub-systems. Items manufactured at RIA include artillery, gun mounts, recoil mechanisms, small arms, aircraft weapons sub- system, grenade launchers, weapons simulators, and a host of associated components. These include: Gun Mount M178 for M109A1/M109A2 Self-Propelled Howitzer; Gun Mount M182 for M109A5/M109A6 Self-Propelled Howitzer (RCMAS); M119 Towed Howitzer, 105mm; Spare Parts for M198 Towed Howitzer, 155mm; M242 barrel for Bradley vehicles; and 120mm Gun Mount for M1A1 Abrams Tank.
About 250 military and 6,000 civilians work at the RIA. Rock Island Arsenal, known world-wide as a leader in excellence, provides essential production capability for artillery/gun mounts, equipment integration, spare parts, and other equipment for the Armed Forces, as well as the assembly of tools, sets, kits and outfits that support equipment in the field. Through new business avenues, the Arsenal can also partner with some non-military entities to assist and advance manufacturing technologies in the private sector.
RIA's capabilities include tool, die, and gage manufacturing; precision investment castings; foundry; heat treating; prototype; gear manufacturing; forgings; spring manufacture; machining; platte and sheet metal; blasting; rubber and plastic molding; welding; and surface finishing. RIA's laboratory, testing, and inspection capabilities include chemical analysis; a weapons testing complex; coordinate measuring machines; test and measurement equipment calibration; and testing in the areas of vibration, oil and lubrication, radiological, mechanical/metallurgical, nondestructive, environmental chamber, and rubber, plastic, and fibrous materials.
The Arsenal's modern stone buildings are the home to approximately 40 tenant organizations which receive quality facility support services such as general supply purchasing, security, information technology, and building and infrastructure maintenance.
The Arsenal's state-of-the-art facilities house the Department of Defense's only general-purpose metal manufacturing complex. Production can be from raw material to final product, including systems integration and simulated testing. Rock Island Arsenal is also the only domestic producer of the hydro-pneumatic recoil mechanisms used in all modern artillery and gun systems.
The Major Command is the U.S. Army Armament, Munitions and Chemical Command. The mission of this installation is to provide research, development, engineering, maintenance, material management, procurement, and product assurance for assigned weapon systems. The U.S. Army Industrial Operations Command is located on the arsenal. This command directs the activities of 4 arsenals and 28 depots. Most IOC activities are industrial in nature.
The Arsenal's logistics mission includes the primary tool set mission for federal agencies, the application of chemical-protective coatings to combat vehicles, and the construction of storage units for the Army's War Reserve Ships. The tool set mission can be customized, with a lifetime warranty. Sets range in size from carrying case to fully equipped and mobile shelters. Noted products include the New Aircraft Tool System which saved the Department of Defense over $10 million, and the Contact Maintenance Truck Humvee. Capabilities include turn-key operations; prototype; engineering/design; fabrication; assembly/disassembly; laser etching; indoor/outdoor storage; demil; equipment/component acquisition; and fielding support.
The Arsenal has been evaluated and selected as a regional center under regionalization initiatives as part of the Army's effort to consolidate services. Basic services offered include information technology, public works, law enforcement, equal opportunity, community/family activity support, supply, personnel administration, and fire protection which are provided to over 30 tenants on the island. As home to a Post Exchange, Commissary, and Health Clinic, the Arsenal is a regional service center for active and reserve military and 15,000 military retirees who live within 125 miles of the Arsenal. The Arsenal's grounds and facilities include 2.1 million square feet of manufacturing space; 3.8 million square feet of storage space; and 2 million square feet of administration space.
Rock Island Arsenal is one of the largest employers in the area with an estimated economic impact of $1,000,000 daily. Located on the Mississippi River, Arsenal Island is an island of 946 acres, bordered by Iowa and Illinois. There are only 57 housing quarters on Arsenal Island so most people who work here live in the Quad City community. This area is subject to weather ranging from cold dry arctic air masses in the Winter, with occasional snow; to hot humid air from Gulf of Mexico in the Summer. The nearest military hospital is the Great Lakes Naval Base, approximately 195 miles from the RIA. The arsenal is located 175 miles from Chicago.
Historic points of interest on Arsenal Island are: The Rock Island Arsenal Museum; Confederate Cemetery; National Cemetery; the original, 19th century stone workshops; officer's quarters along the river; COL Davenport's House; and the site of the first bridge built across the Mississippi.
The area around Rock Island Arsenal is called the Quad Cities. Including both sides of the river, there are more than 300,000 people living here. There are four major public school districts. The Quad City area is inclusive of the following communities; Rock Island, Moline, and East Moline in Illinois; and Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa.
The Quad Cities is a three-county metropolitan area that contains ten contiguous municipalities: Davenport, Bettendorf and Riverdale in Iowa; Rock Island, Moline, East Moline, Milan, Silvis, Carbon Cliff and Hampton in Illinois. The area was originally called the Tri-Cities when only Davenport, Moline and Rock Island were incorporated. As the area grew in population, it became the Quad and then the Quint Cities with the addition of East Moline and Bettendorf. It soon became apparent that a name change each time a city was incorporated would be awkward, so it was decided that rather than continuing to change the name, it would remain the "Quad Cities". The Mississippi River provides fishermen with catches ranging from panfish to catfish, pike and bass. Boating enthusiasts find dock and boat landing facilities excellent on both sides of the river. Hunters find ample waterfowl along the river and good pheasant hunting a short drive away. The Mississippi's newest attraction and the area's newest industry is the addition of the riverboat gambling. The largest of the boats dock in Davenport. Currently, the Quad Cities ranks among the top one hundred Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas with a population of 400,000. Rich is historical roots, the region also has many landmarks that provide a glimpse, not only into the Quad Cities, but our nations's past. The communities offer a large schedule of events each year ranging from a major national golf tournament to riverboat excursions.
DAVENPORT, IA Named after COL George Davenport, this community was first settled in 1808 and incorporated in 1836. Situated at the lower end of the Rock Island Rapids on the Iowa side of the Mississippi River, Davenport became a logical crossing and stopping point for immigrants heading west and as a place to re-supply for the trip. In 1856 it became the site of the first bridge across the Mississippi River. Davenport is the largest city in the Quad City metropolitan area. It has a population of about 103,000 and covers an area of 61.5 square miles. Davenport has a mayor-council form of government. The Putman Museum, founded in 1867, contains nationally recognized collections of science, history and art. The Davenport Museum of Art (the first municipal art gallery in the United States), established in 1925, includes a fine representation of American art schools. Two universities, St. Ambrose and Tiekyo Marycrest, and the Palmer College of Chiropractic are located in Davenport. There are 37 parks and playgrounds in the area. Included in these are 4 public swimming pools, 3 public golf courses and a conservatory. The Duck Creek Parkway extends 9.5 miles through Davenport and Bettendorf, following a scenic green belt along the creek for which it is named.
BETTENDORF, IA Population 29,583. Incorporated in 1903, Bettendorf, is the fastest growing city in Iowa. It has twice doubled its population in the past decades. The city has attracted many new residents by virtue of new housing subdivisions built across the rolling landscape and its two community school districts, which are both known for their innovative educational programs. City government operates from a Municipal Center in the heart of downtown. The center includes City Hall and facilities for Police and fire. A new maintenance center houses public works, engineering, planning, zoning and street departments. The Bettendorf Parks and Recreation Department offers nationally-awarded programs for all ages. A fitness center includes: a jogging and walking track; tennis and volleyball courts; exercise areas; weight rooms; saunas and lounges. Fourteen well-maintained parks, a bicycle path, band shell and an excellent golf course add to the recreational facilities of the city. "Discover the River" festival on Memorial Day weekend and an all-day old fashioned Fourth of July celebration are two of the cities annual attractions. Bettendorf is cosmopolitan, though not a large city. Located in the metropolitan area of the Quad-Cities, it is a smaller community within a large population area and has the advantages of both. ROCK ISLAND, IL Incorporated in 1837, located in the center of the Quad City area and the NW border of IL, it was named for the island that is the home of Rock Island Arsenal. It is separated from Davenport, Iowa by the Mississippi River. Over 40,820 people occupy a 12 sq. mile area. Major products include agricultural & industrial equipment; weapons; research & development; aluminum; processed foods; dairy foods; footwear; and pet foods. Rock Island was once the site of the one of the largest Indian settlements in North America and is the oldest of the Quad Cites. The western-most battle of the Revolutionary War and first rail crossing the Mississippi River took place in Rock Island. The Rock Island Public Library is the oldest public library in the State of Illinois. Early industries in Rock Island included lumbering, railroad, and farm implement manufacturing. Rock Island was a wide open river town where virtue and vice co-existed for decades. Gamblers, bankers, madams, industrialists, and even politicians have all had a hand in developing the community. It is the home of two of the largest fraternal life insurance societies in the world: Modern Woodmen of America and Royal Neighbors of America. The Quad-City Conservation Alliance Expo Center, located near downtown Rock Island, is a 60,000 sq. ft. exhibition center that hosts trade shows and special events. It is the third largest exhibition center in Illinois and Iowa, and is managed by nonprofit organizations and volunteers with proceeds going to conservation projects in the Quad Cities. Rock Island has a variety of neighborhoods ranging from historic to new subdivisions. There are three excellent school systems and a park system that includes the 500-slip Sunset Marina. Recently downtown Rock Island has undergone a renaissance with more than $45 million in new investment. The Rock Island Arts and Entertainment District, is quickly becoming the place to play in the Quad Cities. Anchored by the Casino Rock Island and the Quad City Arts Center, it combines specialty retailing and a vibrant night life.
MOLINE, IL In 1843 a mill company platted and built a town on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River. They called it Moline, a slight alteration of the French word "Moulin" meaning "mill". In 1847 John Deere moved his thriving young plow manufacturing business to Moline from Grand Detour, Illinois. Moline was incorporated in 1848 and Deere & Company grew to be the largest farm equipment manufacturing concern in the world. Moline's present population is about 44,000. The Quad City Airport is located in Moline and served by 8 airlines with commuter service to 3 international airports. The Mark of the Quad Cities is a 220,000 sq. ft. multi-purpose facility with more than 60,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space and a 10,000 seat arena to host trade shows, sports, exhibitions,and conferences.
EAST MOLINE Over 20,390 people populate and an area of 9.5 square miles. Incorporated in 1907, the city is the site of one of the largest Deere & Company plants - the John Deere Harvester Works. They also have the Case International Harvester Plant and a 200-acre industrial park which is 70% occupied. East Moline prides itself on having the most manufacturing jobs in the Quad Cities. Four shopping centers and a central business area serve the community.
