About Us

Our History

Kazimierz Monkiewicz began his handmade sausage business in 1909 with the opening of a meat market shortly after he and his wife, Helena, emigrated from Poland and settled in Chelsea, Mass. When word of the high-quality meats and handmade sausage spread, Kazimierz began delivering to neighboring communities via horse-drawn wagon. Soon Kazimierz's four sons entered the business, and with an entrepreneurial spirit, strong values and a focus on the customer, the company flourished.

Ninety-nine years later, Kayem is a premier marketer and manufacturer of some of the leading brands of meats both regionally and nationally. The product line now includes hot dogs, traditional Italian sausages, deli meats and all natural chicken sausage marketed under the Kayem, al fresco, Triple M, Genoa Sausage, Schonland's and Meisterchef brands. Kayem is the #1 brand of franks in New England, and al fresco is the #1 brand of chicken sausage in the total U.S.

The Chelsea plant, with over 500 employees, has grown with the latest addition to over 200,000 square feet. The new addition includes a state-of-the-art continuous frankfurt operation. In addition to the Chelsea plant, Kayem operates a fresh sausage plant in Woburn, Mass. that employs over 80 people and produces the highest volume of fresh sausage in New England.

Quality workmanship, continuous improvement and customer satisfaction have always been the hallmark of Kayem's success. The company was the first frankfurt manufacturer to seek ISO 9001 International Standards registration in 1995. In 2007, Kayem kicked off its continuous improvement platform, called META, which means "goal" in Spanish, to ensure that the company is equipped to meet the ever-changing needs of its customers and the meat industry.

Today, Kayem operates plants with cutting-edge technology and stringent USDA and ISO 9000 quality standards, but it still retains its "Old World" philosophy and vision. Almost a century later, Kayem is still owned by the same family, still employs many other families for multi-generations, is still in its hometown of Chelsea and is still manufacturing and delivering freshly made, convenient, wholesome and delicious foods to its most valued customers. Some things are too good to change.

Media contact

Josh Gitelson
RF Binder
(781)455-8250
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