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University. He feels this provides a competitive advantage with a focus on the health and welfare of the ducks, in addition to his ability to produce a consistently high-quality, flavorful duck. Dr. Joe’s father has since retired, watching on as the company continues to evolve with the ever-changing techniques of duck farming. Jurgielewicz & Son has gone on to develop their own strain of Pekin Duck, working with a geneticist to hone their product to create sustainable egg layers, and operating their own hatchery with 80% of the eggs hatching in 28 days. A nursery then takes over, providing a warm and dry precision climate controlled environment coupled with a high protein feed for the next stage of development.
YEARS 1965-2015
Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progess. Working together is success. – Henry Ford
The ducks grow to 7 pounds in six weeks. Jurgielewicz grows a duck with slightly higher fat content than some of their competitors on purpose. They could lower their cost in providing a cheaper feed, but feel that the higher fat content produced in the duck provides a tastier duck. Like many industries, theirs is heavily regulated. They are USDA inspected daily on-site. Waste is also heavily regulated, which is why they have upgraded to 500 acres now. Animals produce waste which must be managed for the effect on soil and water (due to runoff). Marketing is directed primarily to the Asian consumer. Restaurants specializing in Asian cuisine feature many duck dishes. The Asian market prefers a whole duck unlike chicken, which is sold more heavily in pieces. Distribution is mostly trucked from Reading to major metropolitan areas with Asian markets such as NYC, DC, Florida, Texas and California.
Reading, Pennsylvania
Optimism for the future market demand is strong. Dr. Joe continues to see the following trends—people are beginning to eat out more, duck demand continues to increase as Chinese food grows in demand, and Asian Fusion cuisine also continues to increase in popularity. With an eye to the future, the Jurgielewicz family is working with a Chicagobased consultant on succession
planning. Dr. Joe and his wife Rita have four sons. One son is following in his footsteps in attending veterinarian school and one son is working on the sales team. All may someday have an interest in eventually working in the business. The family is prudent to be thinking through the ground rules for the future, and are making the time now to plan for tomorrow’s transitions. While the succession planning is underway, Dr. Joe also plans to form an Advisory Board to help navigate the growth and future of the family business. 25