Dayton Meat Products continues family legacy with ownership changes

Bill Dayton, center, with Dayton Meat Products in Malcom is joined by his sons, Josh, left, and Jake, right, following the announcement last month that they have joined their father as owners of the business. Both young men grew up in the business founded in 1959 by their grandfather, Lawrence. Josh joined the family business full-time in June 2000, and Jake joined the family business in August 2000.

J.O. Parker
 
   The Dayton family legacy of producing award-winning meat products continues into the third generation with the recent announcement that Jake and Josh Dayton have joined their father, Bill, as owners of Dayton Meat Products in Malcom.
    Josh and Jake grew up in the locker and spent many years learning the trade from their grandpa, Lawrence, and father, Bill, and uncle, Dave. They worked part-time through high school starting with the cleanup crew.
Josh joined the family business full-time in June 2000, and Jake joined the family business full-time in August 2000.
    “It’s exciting to take this step in my life,” said Jake. “I’m looking forward to the new adventure.”
    “I’m excited to be a part of this,” added Josh. “It should be a natural transition. Jake and I both have 21-years in the business. We will continue putting out the same quality products and service that our grandpa started in 1959.”
    The change comes following the July 1 announcement that Mark Lang, who could usually be found at the front counter, has retired. Dave Dayton, Bill’s brother, has also stepped down as owner of the company, but will remain as head butcher.
    “David and Mark have been an integral part of the operation of the locker,” noted Barb Manley, Dayton Meat Products caterer and daughter of Bill, in a Facebook post. “Mark was the face that most customers saw and the familiar voice on the phone. David has been serving as the butcher the past several years and before that was a meat cutter. Mark and David’s contributions will always be valued and remembered. Their hard work, commitment and dedication are worthy of admiration.”
    “My thanks goes out for the many and great customer relationships I've made during these years for your kind comments and your patronage to our business - without you there would be no business,” Mark noted of his 22-years at Dayton Meat Products. “Also, my thanks to the hardworking and great employees who we had over the years, without them, the great products wouldn't have been made.”
    Mark also thanked his wife, Patty, for her dedication and love and sticking by his side through thick and thin.
    Lawrence Dayton and his father-in-law, Bill Osmond, started Malcom Locker in 1959. Lawrence’s wife, Edith, joined her husband in the business in the mid-1970s. Bill joined his parents in the business in 1976.
In 1980, Dayton Meat Products was formed and Bill and Dave became partners with their father and mother. Lang joined the business in 1999.
   The business moved from its downtown Malcom location to its current location at 102 Montezuma St., Malcom in 1994.
   The business offers custom processing and sells all types of fresh, frozen and smoked meat products, including more than 10 types of meat sticks and six types of bacon. The business also offers catering services as well as an array of jams, pickled items, baking mixes, canned meat, seasoning, salsas, horseradishes, spreads, sliced meats and cheeses, including many Iowa-based products.
   The meat processing business is noted for its many awards and honors including Bill being named to the Cured Meats Hall of Fame in 2015. The business regularly shows meat products at the Iowa State Fair and in 2002, earned the Triple Crown honor with grand champion wins in ham, bacon and dried beef categories.
In addition, Jake earned his Master Meat Crafter distinction from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2018. 
    “They (Jake and Josh) grew up in the business and I’m glad to have them as sons and partners,” said Bill.
Dayton meat Products is open 7 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Friday, and 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Saturday. The business phone is 641-528-3420.
    For more info on the business and the products offered, visit http://daytonmeatproducts.net

Bill Dayton, left, is joined by his brother, David, and brother-in-law, Mark Lang, following the recent announcement of ownership changes. Mark, who joined the family business in 1999, has retired. David, who became a partner in the family-owned business in 1980, has sold his interest in company ownership, but will remain as head butcher.