Our Story | Schneiders

Our Story

Our story began in 1890. From the start, we’ve focused on quality products made to authentic, family recipes, because that’s what our customers expected. They still do today.

1890 • The JM Schneider house

J.M.’s first satisfied customers were his own neighbours. He began selling sausages, made to his family’s recipes, out of his home on Courtland Ave.

 

1903 • Horse-drawn delivery

Strong demand meant the whole family, including J.M.’s son Herbert (shown here), had to help deliver sausages to butchers and even customers’ houses.

1925 • New plant opening

Success allowed J.M. to expand operations into a brand new plant on Courtland Ave in Kitchener. The entire town was invited to the opening.

1930s • Recipe books from The Great Depression

During the hard times of the Depression, Schneiders published recipe books to show appetizing ways to feed a family, even on a very restricted budget.

1932 • Sausage kitchen

Schneiders grew its range of sausages to 16 distinct recipes. Many were crafted by Wilhelm Rohleder, one of the company’s German-trained butchers.

1932 • Schneiders colours

The plant’s water tower was bright orange, from rust-inhibiting paint. It was so recognizable that it became one of Schneiders’ official colours.

1950s • Schneiders products

As Schneiders grew, so did its product range. Recipes included pork, beef, veal, lamb and poultry – “or Every Meal of the Day”, as this ad stated.

1956 • Schneiders research & development recipes

A well-worn page from the Schneiders’ recipe book, showing classic spices like paprika and coriander that the butchers used to craft bologna.

1959 • Schneiders Dutch Girl posters

A store poster for Schneiders prominently featured the now-famous Dutch Girl, who was trademarked in 1955.

1965 • 75th Anniversary products

By the time it turned 75, Schneiders had a range of over 250 European-style products. That included over 55 different varieties of sausage!

1983 • Advertising campaign

This award-winning series of ads very creatively emphasized Schneiders’ heritage of quality ingredients and traditional, craft preparation methods.

1994 • Olde Fashioned products

The “Olde Fashioned” line, including smoked turkey and ham, were made to J.M.’s original recipes and were personally guaranteed by his grandson, Fred.

1996 • Juicy Jumbo truck

What better way to advertise all-popular Juicy Jumbo wieners than on a rolling billboard? This company truck says it all: bigger, better, juicier.

2013 • Iconic Schneiders signage

A giant Schneiders sign has greeted motorists on their way into Kitchener since 1961. Rebuilt and digitized in 2013, it’s still “Famous for Quality”.

2016 • Evolution of the Schneiders logo

The logo has Old World roots. It evokes Schneider’s Pennsylvania Deutsch heritage, and includes a Dutch girl in a bonnet showing wholesomeness.

1890 The JM Schneider house

J.M.’s first satisfied customers were his own neighbours. He began selling sausages, made to his family’s recipes, out of his home on Courtland Ave.

1903 Horse-drawn delivery

Strong demand meant the whole family, including J.M.’s son Herbert (shown here), had to help deliver sausages to butchers and even customers’ houses.

1925 New plant opening: Courtland in Kitchener

Success allowed J.M. to expand operations into a brand new plant on Courtland Ave in Kitchener. The entire town was invited to the opening.

1930s Recipe books from The Great Depression

During the hard times of the Depression, Schneiders published recipe books to show appetizing ways to feed a family, even on a very restricted budget.

1932 Sausage kitchen

Schneiders grew its range of sausages to 16 distinct recipes. Many were crafted by Wilhelm Rohleder, one of the company’s German-trained butchers.

1932 How we arrived at our signature colour

The plant’s water tower was bright orange, from rust-inhibiting paint. It was so recognizable that it became one of Schneiders’ official colours.

1950s Schneiders products from 1950

As Schneiders grew, so did its product range. Recipes included pork, beef, veal, lamb and poultry – “For Every Meal of the Day”, as this ad stated.

1956 Schneiders research & development recipes

A well-worn page from the Schneiders’ recipe book, showing classic spices like paprika and coriander that the butchers used to craft bologna.

1959 Schneiders Dutch Girl posters

A store poster for Schneiders prominently featured the now-famous Dutch Girl, who was trademarked in 1955.

1965 75th Anniversary products

By the time it turned 75, Schneiders had a range of over 250 European-style products. That included over 55 different varieties of sausage!

1983 1983 Advertising campaign

This award-winning series of ads very creatively emphasized Schneiders’ heritage of quality ingredients and traditional, craft preparation methods.

1994 Olde Fashioned products

The “Olde Fashioned” line, including smoked turkey and ham, were made to J.M’s original recipes and were personally guaranteed by his grandson, Fred.

1996 Juicy Jumbos truck

What better way to advertise all-popular Juicy Jumbo wieners than a rolling billboard? This company truck says it all: bigger, better, juicier.

2013 Iconic Schneiders signage

A giant Schneiders sign has greeted motorists on their way into Kitchener since 1961. Rebuilt and digitized in 2013, it’s still “Famous for Quality”.

2016 A look at our trademark over the years

The logo has Old World roots. It evokes Schneider’s Pennsylvania Deutsch heritage, and includes a Dutch girl in a bonnet showing wholesomeness.