The Taylorville Kiwanis Club heard from the General Manager for the McLane Food Service Distribution Center at their Tuesday noon meeting at the Moose Lodge.

Lou Johnson has been the General Manager of the Taylorville center for some 12 years, and has been in the distribution industry even longer.  Johnson told Kiwanis members he manages both the Taylorville plant and an Iowa plant.  Both deliver all operating supplies for a host of restaurant chains including Denny’s, Burger King, Jack in the Box, Checkers, and Hardee’s.

Johnson added the Taylorville plant has some 175-thousand square feet and started in Taylorville in 1989.   It serves some 550 restaurants in 16 states with 40 semi-drivers, 35 warehouse personnel, and 10 supervisory personnel.    Many of those employees have been at the Taylorville center for many years, with several promoted from the warehouse to drivers.

McLane Distribution has centers across the country, and is owned by Berkshire Hathaway.   Johnson told Kiwanis members the parent company recently upgraded the Taylorville facility in the past few months, including a new H-V-A-C system.

Johnson expressed pride for his employees, as the Taylorville Distribution Center was recently recognized as the “Distributor of the Year” by their customers.

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club reminds the public to stop by the front parking lot of the Miller Media Group studios at 918 East Park this Saturday from 9am to noon with non-perishable food and monetary donations.   Those donations will be given to the Taylorville Food Pantry to help feed children and youth in the community.

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club is part of a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.  Weekly meetings are held Tuesdays at noon at the Taylorville Moose Lodge.  For information on the club, go to taylorvillekiwanis.com.