They are delicious!

It's always been where I can't just have one; it's more like a hand full at a time. I love potato chips as so many of us do and it is hard to just eat one or two. So, I decided to do my blog on one of the largest selling potato chip companies who is a local company here in Dayton, Ohio. Mike-sell's Potato Chip Company.

The story of the Mike-sell's Potato Chip Company began in 1910 when Daniel W. Mikesell went into business selling dried beef and sausage. Shortly after starting the business, Mikesell purchased equipment for making potato chips, which were then known as "Saratoga Chips" named for the place they were discovered.

As business grew, Mikesell enlarged equipment, hired help outside the family, and established delivery routes to furnish chips to local grocery stores. In 1925, the Mikesell Company saw a need for a unique logo. It was decided that a "play on words" using the Mikesell name should be used and the trademark "Mike-sell's" remains today.

Leslie C. Mapp became associated with Mike-sell's Potato Chip Company in 1947 and became Executive Vice President in 1952. He became President and Chief Executive Officer in 1965, following the death of Daniel W. Mikesell.

In 1955, Mr. Mapp oversaw the building of new production facilities and offices at 333 Leo Street in Dayton. Since that time, the plant has had a series of additions and remodeling, which doubled the size of the original structure.

A second plant was opened in 1987 located in Indianapolis. This technologically advanced plant produces Mike-sell's Puffcorn Delites, Baked Cheese Curls, and Pretzels.

Although many things have changed since 1910, one thing has not - the quality of Mike-sell's products. We believe this dedication to quality set by Daniel Mikesell has helped us remain a leader in the industry and now the oldest potato chip manufacturer in the United States. Thus our motto will remain: They are Delicious!

I am impartial to Mikesell's for my husband has worked for the Dayton plant for over 9 years (but actually for a total of 14 years). He has seen a lot of changes within the business, the closing of the Indianapolis Plant that was opened in 1987. This plant was closed 2008 due to the economy and the Dayton plant received one of the machines and the right to produce the chips that the plant made. My husband operates the Kettle cooker, which is the machine they received.

The Dayton plant has no more than about 60 employees and still is one of the leading potato chip companies!! The plant has both women and men working there and the women do the packing. The men normally are the ones who operate the machines themselves. As we all know with the economy it has hit so many little businesses besides the big. There are hardly any businesses left here in the Dayton area. Mike-sell's has also been effected by the economy, they have had to modify their health insurance plans and place a freeze as to hiring due to the economy. They have also reduced the hours for their employees. There is no overtime being offered and most of the women are only working as needed with the men working just enough hours to produce what is needed to fill orders to ship out.