About Grote Company

Grote Company manufactures reliable, top-quality food slicing and assembly equipment. Our trusted equipment and lines are built strong to make pizza, sandwich and food slicing processes faster, safer, more consistent and less expensive.

With a personal touch and enduring commitment to our customers and employees, we collaborate as one team to solve tough problems. We proudly serve not only the equipment we build, but also the people who operate and depend on it.

What We Stand For

Our Vision

To feed our growing world – Together.

Our Mission — We are...

  • Advancing Food Processing
  • Customer Committed
  • Passionate People
  • Quality Products
  • Profitable
  • Principle Based
  • Growing
  • A Great Place to Work

A Word From Our CEO, Bob Grote

Here at Grote Company, we manufacture reliable, top-quality food slicing and assembly equipment, making it easier for our customers to make safe, high quality food.

And while I strongly believe our equipment is the best in the industry, that’s not the only thing that sets us apart. I’m so proud of our personal touch and enduring commitment to our customers and employees. When you call, we pick up the phone or come out to see you face to face. No automated runaround, just good old fashion business. This is how we began so many years ago and how we will continue to do business long into the future. We collaborate as one team to solve tough problems. We proudly serve not only the equipment we build, but also the people who operate and depend on it.

Let’s feed our growing world – together.
Bob

Our Leadership

Bob Grote

Bob GroteCEO

Bob is an engineer by schooling, salesman by nature, and businessman by practice. He joined Grote Company in 2000, became CEO in 2008 and now spends his time developing industry partners and seeking the latest food technologies. He currently serves as Director at Large for the FPSA and sits on both nonprofit and for-profit boards. Bob was born and raised in central Ohio, returning later to marry his wife Gina of nearly 30 years and raise his three now-grown children.

Jack Grote

Jack GroteChief Operating Officer

After 30+ years in engineering, sales and executive leadership roles, Jack joined his brother Bob at Grote Company in 2011. As COO, he drives strategic initiatives that impact customer experience and improve company performance. He has engineering degrees from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and Purdue University, and a MBA from Ohio State University. Jack married his high school sweetheart Kelly in 1986, and together they are avid college football fans – especially of his hometown Buckeyes.

Eric Ytterbo

Eric YtterboChief Financial Officer

Eric has decades of manufacturing and food equipment experience, previously holding various financial roles at ITW Food Equipment Group/Hobart for 27 years and serving as CFO at Grote Company since 2012. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati and is an active CPA.

Paul Jones

Paul JonesManaging Director

Paul has been with Grote Company for over 18 years in various field service, sales and leadership positions. He’s led our UK-based International office since 2007. 

Andy Schneider

Andy SchneiderSales Director

Andy leads the sales, technical, and customer service teams who provide world-class support to our customers in North and Latin America. He’s been with Grote Company for 19 years. Andy earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Naval Academy and MBA from Miami University of Ohio. He has three grown children with Tina, his wife of 33 years, and enjoys running and kayaking. He is a retired Captain in the US Navy Reserve.

Greg Gavlak

Greg GavlakDirector of Operations

Greg is responsible for Manufacturing, Production Planning and Supply Chain at Grote Company. His mission is to find ways to relentlessly extract waste from processes and to provide customers their products better and faster. Greg has previously held several leadership positions, including Captain in the United States Army. He was born and raised outside of Cleveland, OH and attended John Carroll University, where he played football. Now he coaches sports for his three children, supporting them with his wife Katie.  

© Copyright 2023 Grote Company, Inc. All rights reserved