About Us

George J. Howe CompanyFor 80 years, the George J. Howe Company, also known as "Here's Howe", has been supplying fresh roasted coffee, nuts and packaged candy to customers in the Ohio Valley and eastern United States. Over the past eight decades, this family-owned and operated business has grown from a single retail outlet for coffee to one of the country's largest packagers and distributors of candy. Throughout its growth, the Howe company has cultivated a passion for quality products and exceptional service.

These values were instilled in the company's employees by founder George J. Howe, an innovative grocer who owned one of the first supermarket-type grocery stores in Pennsylvania during the 1920's. Looking for a creative promotion, Howe roasted and ground coffee in the store window, and gave away one free pound to every customer who purchased $10 worth of groceries. The popularity of Howe's fresh roasted coffee grew, and soon Mr. Howe found himself making deliveries to neighboring grocers in his Model T Ford. Eventually he sold his grocery business, rented a small building in Grove City, and devoted himself full-time to coffee roasting. The name "Here's Howe" was coined from the shout of grocers who cried "Howe's here!" whenever the familiar Model T arrived for deliveries. Mr. Howe and two employees roasted, ground and packed the coffee. They also doubled as the sales and delivery team.

In 1927, the company was incorporated, and four years later moved into a newly constructed building on Grove City's West Main Street, which remains the site of its present operation. With expanded facilities and modern equipment, the company's product line under the brand name "Daily Delight" grew beyond just coffee. Fresh roasted peanuts and cashews were added, as were tea and other semi-perishable products. Over the years, the reputation of Howe's quality and service continued to spread. The strongest selling point was the freshness of its products. Sales routes expanded, and a fleet of modern delivery trucks were acquired. In 1948, "Here's Howe" began bagging and distributing candy, a product which later contributed significantly to the company's overall profitability.

Upon the death of Mr. Howe in 1950, his wife, Mary Rebecca Howe, served as an interim president. Later that year, their son-in-law, George "Pete" Beech, was appointed president, a position he held until 1971. Under his leadership the company added the first of several new buildings, and successfully navigated through paramount industry changes, including the rise of national coffee brands and the diminishing of independently-owned grocery stores. These trends forced many coffee roasters to close shop or change distribution channels. However, "Here's Howe", with its expanded product line, remained a quality wholesaler for the retail market.

Following the retirement of George Beech in 1971, Robert Neely served as company president. Mr. Neely had been employed by the company since the early 1930's. Ernie May, a family member and Howe's current president, became Neely's successor in 1975. During Mr. May's presidency, "Here's Howe" has experienced its fastest growth, and has become what the company is today: a full-line candy and nut distributor, as well as a purveyor of food service and gourmet coffees. In 1983, Mr. Howe's grandson, Richard Beech, also the son of George P. Beech, joined the company. Currently a vice-president, Mr. Beech's presence continues family involvement through three generations.

During the last 25 years, the Howe company has established relationships with national organizations such as Royal Cup Dine Mor, the National Coffee Association and the National Association of Convenience Stores. These groups have given the company broader exposure, and Royal Cup Dine Mor has provided opportunities to service national hotel and restaurant chains with coffee and related products.

Another strategic move that has spurred growth occurred during a peanut shortage in 1980 when 60 percent of the company's sales were in nuts. In response to the crisis, the sales staff came up with a successful strategy. They suggested that the company package larger bags of candy. Until this time, Howe had only used this approach with peanuts and was unsure of the results if applied to candy. Management took the advice and sales skyrocketed. Candy now accounts for 65 percent of Howe's annual dollar sales, nuts are 20 percent and coffee 15 percent. Today, the company moves more than 15 million pounds of product through its doors each year.

Success over the years has not prevented the company from looking ahead and striving to achieve greater measures of quality and service. Recent advances include equipment purchases and investments in technology to improve production and distribution. A gourmet line of specialty and flavored coffees has also been developed, and the company is seeking ways to bolster brand name recognition within the marketplace.

So, as the George J. Howe Company looks to the future, we acknowledge the dedication and hard work of the people who have built the business. Here's to our over 110-plus associates and their commitment to customer satisfaction. Here's to their ongoing commitment to quality products and exceptional service. Here's to Howe!