A letter from

The Chesterman Family

Mission Statement

Our primary objective is to be a premier beverage and food service company in the markets we serve. To accomplish this objective, we aspire to be governed by the following beliefs:

Our employees, as individuals are our most valuable resource, and as a team, our source of competitive advantage. Both individual potential and teamwork must be developed through building a staff of highly skilled people that provide excellence in production, marketing, sales and service.

Our customers determine the fate of our organization. We strive to build and retain relationships with our customers by providing the highest quality goods and services in the beverage and food industries.

We must work as partners with our communities, making them better places to live. The communities in which we conduct business should feel that a meaningful contribution has been made by our presence.

In order to provide excellent financial results, we will work to produce a high level of profitability, emphasizing the proper balance between short-term performance and consistent long-term growth.

Our History

1872

Chesterman Co Founded

Chesterman Co. founded by Cilo Chesterman in Dyersville, Ia. Bottling soft drinks from homemade syrups. Cilo was a pioneer in the bottling industry in the United States, making its own sweetened soda water. Flavors include: Lemon, Sarsaparilla, Vanilla, and Strawberry.
1885

Moving to Sioux City

The company closes shop in Dyersville and moves to 5th & Water Street in Sioux City, Iowa.
1886

Birth of Coca-Cola

Dr. John Stith Pemberton, a local pharmacist, produced the syrup for Coca-Cola, and carried a jug of the new product down the street to Jacobs' Pharmacy, where it was sampled, pronounced "excellent" and placed on sale for five cents a glass as a soda fountain drink.
1891

Expansion

Chesterman Co manufacturing facility built on 15th & Omaha Street in Sioux City, Iowa.
1894

Introduction of bottled Coke

Previously only available as a fountain drink, Coca-Cola begins selling in glass bottles.
1904

Chesterman Co adds Coca-Cola

In 1904, as Cilo’s son, C.B. Chesterman, was taking responsibility at the firm. Cilo took what later turned out to be a most important step, he added a drink called Coca-Cola. The new product did not do well at first and was discontinued for three years. However, by 1919, the product had returned and was doing very well.
1910

Restaurant Supply

Started up restaurant supply business selling glassware, china, billiards, and paper goods to existing customer base.
1931

7UP

The company adds the citrus soda, 7UP, to their product line.
1977

A company headquarters is born

The business moves to 4700 So. Lewis in Sioux City, where they still produce, bottle, and distribute a wide variety of products to the midwest region of the United States.
1978

Canned Soft Drinks

The company begins producing canned soft drinks.
1985-99

Growing

Acquired additional franchise territories in Nebraska, South Dakota, and Illinois. Also entered the bottled water business, establishing Premium Waters Inc.
2016

A population of 2.8 million

Acquired additional Coca-Cola territory in Nebraska and western Iowa. Currently Coke territory population is 2.8 million. We operate one production facility in Sioux City, Ia and 14 distribution centers in the upper mid-west. Combined Chesterman Co. and PWI employ 1600 full time associates.