Beef is the third most-consumed meat in the world and is the principal meat used in many cultures’ cuisines. The United States is one of the largest consumers of beef (along with Brazil and China) with an average of $41.8 billion in retail and wholesale purchases of beef made each year, according to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. With a goal of meeting this demand in a quality manner, Colorado Boxed Beef Co. (CBBC) has become a major distributor throughout the Southeast.
CBBC was founded in 1975 and shipped 29,000 pounds of beef in its first week with four employees. By 1982, the company had 40 employees and was shipping 500,000 pounds of beef a week, and in 1995, those numbers had grown to more than 220 employees and more than $210 million in annual sales. Since then, CBBC has expanded to offer more than 13,000 items in its inventory, including beef, pork, poultry, lamb, veal, seafood, cheese, lunchmeat and a variety of fresh, frozen and dry grocery products. Its customers include the leading independent and chain retailers, cruise lines, foodservice distributors, restaurant chains, U.S. military and amusement parks, and it reaches customers in every city in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North and South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.
The business was founded by Richard Saterbo and today remains a family operation under the leadership of Saterbo’s sons, John, Bryan and Steve. CBBC’s services involve purchasing, sales, marketing, distribution and logistics, and it is dedicated to delivering its food products and other goods to customers on time with a high level of integrity.
“[We take] the necessary steps to exceed our customer expectations and experiences, continually,” the company says. “[We are] committed to listening [and] then delivering based on various needs that ultimately enable our customers to offer their guests the very best. The best attitude with the best solution is what [our customers can] expect, period.”
Valued Relationships
Based in Auburndale, Fla., CBBC makes more than 3,000 deliveries each week and provides next-day delivery in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. Its brands include New Generation, Cedar Creek, Angus Ranch and Bridgewater Farms. The company continuously works to expand the number and types of products it offers.
The company operates under six primary divisions:
- Colorado Boxed Beef Sales serves the leading retailers and distributors in the Southeast as well as a growing export business.
- PREFCO Distribution is a refrigerated/frozen products distribution company that serves the independent grocery stores and restaurants throughout southwest Texas. It distributes boxed beef, pork, poultry, cheese, seafood and other products, in addition to offering a full-service cold storage facility with scanning, inventory control and shipping capabilities. PREFCO’s full fleet of refrigerated trucks includes bobtails and semi trailers.
- The Great Fish Co. is a direct-source supplier of seafood products with its own processing plants, fleet of vessels and salmon farms in Chile. It also imports from Canada, China and other worldwide ports to ensure a constant supply of quality seafood throughout the year.
- CBBC Cruise Line Division serves many of the major domestic cruise lines from its facilities in Port Everglades, Fla.; Blaine, Wash.; and Los Angeles.
- CBBC International has more than 20 years of experience in the international procurement of perishable products and has established long-term relationships with many of the major suppliers in the world. Working with more than 200 suppliers, this division distributes a range of beef, pork, poultry, seafood, lamb and vegetable products.
- TG Transportation is a refrigerated carrier providing shipping services to the Southwest, Southeast, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and North¬east regions. From terminal locations in Nevada, Texas, Illinois, Delaware, Georgia and Florida, it serves all the major food retailers and distributors.
“Our core focus revolves around our customers [and] they recognize us as leaders in the commodity markets,” the company says.
“We will always help our clients accelerate the growth of their business,” it continues. “We value our relationship with our clients and will continue to ensure that each client receives the attention to detail that truly makes us their partner in helping them achieve their individual goals.”