Willow Tree Poultry Farm

Poultry Farm Breaks into 21st Century and Harvests Profits

About Willow Tree Poultry Farm

Taking its name from the trees that dotted its landscape, Willow Tree Poultry Farm rapidly became a foundation of the local economy in Attleboro, Massachusetts. For more than 55 years, the family-owned business grew from a thriving egg and broiler-producing farm, complete with a neighborhood retail outlet and door-to-door egg business, to a trusted name for tens of thousands of families nationwide. But, it wasn’t just the freezer aisle and deli counter, hundreds of retailers throughout New England, including supermarket chains and restaurants, carried Willow Tree products.

The Challenge

In its second-generation, President Walter Cekala, assuming Willow Tree from Chet Cekala, wanted to restructure the company from top to bottom, as they were still operating the business the way it was run 55 years ago. Calling on the consultants at George S. May International to modernize the business and bring it into the 21st century, it became clear that there were many issues affecting Willow Tree’s profitability.

The George S. May Solution

The George S. May consulting team quickly developed an organizational structure for the company. Working with Walter Cekala, George S. May put into place guidelines and strategies to streamline procedures, bringing management methods out of the dark ages, such as:

Implemented software for accounting and food manufacturing, as Willow Tree was still using manual accounting methods
Revised pricing model to include all known costs and installed a production management system to track actual costs against costs included in pricing
Improved cash flow management and implemented purchasing controls, inventory control procedures, break even analysis, and product costing
Improved accounts receivable collections and installed a process to ensure that orders filled are billable before an order is completed
Calculated labor burdens, developed key performance indicator reports and an employee evaluation form
Trained management and staff on accounting principles and budget preparation
Implemented processes and tools to conduct weekly review meetings in which the plant reports weekly actual production to forecast

The Benefits

Cost savings of $590,900
Identified food wastes of $86,000 and recommended controls for quantities prepared
Aligned employee objectives with company objectives
Developed a self-funded incentive program for qualified employees
Streamlined online order process

“Working with the George S. May Company has been an enlightening experience. Their suggestions and changes will ensure future success for the next generation of our wonderful family business.” Walter Cekala, president of Willow Tree Poultry Farm