As Queen City Sausage prepares to celebrate 50 years in February 2015, timing could not be better for Elmer Hensler to be inducted into the Greater Cincinnati Business Hall of Fame. Elmer began the Queen City Sausage Company in 1965 with 2 partners and $13,000.00.

Elmer Hensler has lived the American Dream: Work very hard, give your very best, never give up and you will be rewarded! Elmer’s story began when at the age of 12 he began stopping by the local slaughter houses which dominated Cincinnati’s meat packing district in the West End.

“I just showed up, grabbed a broom and started sweeping up. Washed equipment and utensils. Just tried to be very helpful and eventually they began paying me and adding more responsibilities. I was so young but they knew I was a worker and I proved it every day!” says Elmer.

Today, at 84 years young, Elmer shows up to work every day and oversees the company he created.

“Elmer is very involved in every aspect of the operation” according to Mark Balasa, director of marketing for Queen City. “The business keeps him young along with the daily lunch time tradition of enjoying freshly made Queen City sausages!” 

On Thursday evening, October 2nd Elmer Hensler will be inducted into the Business Hall of Fame along with Kenneth W. Lowe/Scripts Networks Interactive, George Strike/American Laundry Machinery*, Levi Ault/ Ault & Wiborg*, William S. Rowe/U.S. Bank*, John J. Rowe/Fifth Third Bank*, and William S. Rowe/Fifth Third Bank*. This is a huge honor! (* Honored posthumously)

The laureates selected have not only risen to the pinnacle of success in the business world, but also have been pioneers in their industries. Junior Achievement of OKI Partners Inc., in cooperation with Cincinnati Museum Center, established the Greater Cincinnati Business Hall of Fame to honor past and present business leaders for their outstanding business achievements and their contributions to the quality of life in the Greater Cincinnati Community.

Queen City Sausage chosen by Independent Processor magazine to be its first-ever Independent Processor of the Year earlier this year. To read more on Queen City Sausage, go to http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/100778-queen-city-sausage-the-independent-processor-of-the-year.

Source: Queen City Sausage