What Nelson-Jameson does

Nelson-Jameson, Inc. is a fourth-generation, family-owned B2B distributor headquartered in Marshfield, Wisconsin, founded in 1947 and serving food, dairy, and beverage processing plants as a single-source supplier of more than 78,000 products sourced from over 1,000 vendor partners (with the company's homepage referencing 2,500+ brands). The product catalog spans lab equipment and consumables (Petrifilm plates, ATP and allergen testing kits, pH meters, thermometers, the proprietary Nelson-Jameson M926 Chloride Analyzer, Bruker FT-NIR dairy analyzers), sanitation and cleaning supplies (Vikan, FOAMit, Delfin vacuums), color-coded and metal-detectable material handling tools, PPE, food processing equipment (Alfa Laval pumps, valves, plate heat exchangers, sanitary fittings), ingredients (cultures, enzymes, rennet, cheese salt, peppers, Givaudan natural colors, Kerry smoke condensates), and packaging supplies. The proprietary SupplyRITE program adds inventory, PPE, and safety vending machines deployed as managed-service contracts on customer floors.

The business model combines transactional distribution (per-unit pricing on an e-commerce storefront plus quote-based B2B account pricing with Net 30 terms) with three higher-margin service lines: authorized Alfa Laval equipment service and repair, SupplyRITE managed inventory vending, and a training/audit/educational services portfolio (Petrifilm certification, antibiotic residue training, aseptic sampling, color-coded site assessment). Distribution is operated through a captive logistics arm, NEXT Logistics, running five strategically placed U.S. distribution centers in Wisconsin, California, Idaho, Pennsylvania (with expanded cold storage announced in April 2026), and Texas, supporting same-day shipping for orders placed before 2 PM CST and coverage across all 50 U.S. states plus international markets. SQF certification under the Food Safety Code for Storage and Distribution, EcoVadis Bronze status, ISN/ISNetworld contractor safety membership, and ISO 9000-quality-branded pH buffers form the regulatory backbone of the operation.

The company employs 300+ people across distribution, technical sales, and field service, serves primary segments in food processing manufacturing, dairy processing and cheese making, beverage processing, artisan/farmstead dairy, and certified dairy laboratories, and pursues growth through brand-partner co-marketing (Alfa Laval, Neogen, DSM/dsm-firmenich, Bruker, Vikan, Givaudan, Kerry), organic product expansion, and selective M&A (Sitzman Supply, April 2023). Financials are not publicly disclosed, and ownership has remained with the founding family across four generations with no institutional investor, public listing, or parent company identified in available sources.

Name

Nelson-Jameson

Legal name

Nelson-Jameson, Inc.

Website

https://nelsonjameson.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Nelson-Jameson is a fourth-generation, family-owned B2B distributor founded in 1947, serving food, dairy, and beverage processors as a single-source supplier of 78,000+ products across five U.S. distribution centers, with proprietary SupplyRITE inventory vending and authorized Alfa Laval service offerings.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Marshfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Distribution / Product Resale: Nelson-Jameson's primary revenue stream is B2B distribution of food, dairy, and beverage processing supplies, equipment, and ingredients. The company represents over 1,000 supplier/vendor partners and distributes 78,000+ products across categories including lab supplies, cleaning supplies, PPE, ingredients, food processing equipment, material handling, packaging, and facility maintenance. Pricing is not held for longer than 30 days and is subject to market conditions including tariffs.
2. Equipment Service and Repair: Professional services revenue from in-plant equipment service and repair, including pump, valve, PHE (plate heat exchanger), and other equipment repair services, as well as preventive maintenance, audits, and Alfa Laval certified maintenance. Provided by experienced technicians on-site at customer plants.
3. SupplyRITE Inventory Management Services: Managed services revenue from SupplyRITE inventory solutions including inventory vending machines, PPE vending, and safety equipment vending machines installed at customer food manufacturing facilities as ongoing inventory management partnerships.
4. Training, Workshops, and Audits: Revenue from training programs, workshops, quality and safety audits, and educational services including Neogen Petrifilm Certification Workshops, Antibiotic Residue Training, Aseptic Sampling Collection Training, Color-Coded Training & Site Assessment, and Natural Color Assessment & Training.
5. Cold Storage and Logistics (NEXT Logistics): Revenue from cold storage and logistics services operated through NEXT Logistics division, including the expanded Pennsylvania cold storage facility serving East Coast dairy producers with reusable shipping containers and localized shipping.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Nelson-Jameson is a fourth-generation, family-owned B2B single-source distributor of food, dairy, and beverage processing plant supplies, equipment, and ingredients, representing 1,000+ vendor partners across 78,000+ products in categories such as lab supplies, microbiological and ATP testing, cleaning and sanitation, food processing equipment, ingredients, material handling, PPE, packaging, and facility maintenance. The company adds value through SQF-certified warehousing, color-coded cross-contamination prevention programs, the proprietary SupplyRITE inventory vending solution, the proprietary M926 Chloride Analyzer, and Authorized Alfa Laval certified equipment service, training, and OEM parts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SupplyRITE®: Nelson-Jameson's branded inventory management solutions program, including inventory vending, PPE vending, and safety equipment vending machines for food manufacturers.
• NEXT Logistics
• Nelson-Jameson M926 Chloride Analyzer System
• Nelson-Jameson Foundation

Products and services

• Lab Equipment & Supplies Laboratory instruments (balances/scales, pH meters, electrodes, chloride analyzers, water activity testing) and lab consumables (Petrifilm plates, microbiological testing supplies, allergen test kits, liquid handling, sampling supplies, lab chemicals and reagents) for food and dairy QA/QC labs.
• Nelson-Jameson M926 Chloride Analyzer System Nelson-Jameson's own branded laboratory instrument that measures chloride/salt content in food samples with an analysis range of 10–999 mg/L chloride (2–165 mg% salt), ±2 mg/L accuracy, 36-second time-to-result, and ±3 mg/L linearity in the 50–299 mg/L range; includes silver electrode, acid buffer, chloride standard, silver cleaner, and USB/RS-2 connectivity.
• Bruker FT-NIR Dairy Analyzers FT-NIR analysis solutions implemented in customer dairy plant labs to optimize raw material usage, tighten specifications, and eliminate out-of-spec dairy products.
• Cleaning Supplies (JanSan) Industrial cleaning supplies for food plants including brushes, squeegees, brooms, mop buckets, hand pads, sponges, dispensers, cleaning chemicals, and HEPA-rated cleaning equipment for sanitation and janitorial programs.
• Color-Coded Products Program Industry-leading collection of color-coded products for the food industry including color-coded brushes, brooms, scoops, mops, squeegees, material handling items, PPE, safety products, and lab supplies designed to prevent cross-contamination across zones.
• Food Processing Equipment Tanks and tanker equipment, sanitary food-grade hoses, sanitary pumps, valves, fittings, filters and strainers, stainless steel tables, washdown equipment, plant cleaning equipment, and process instrumentation used in food, dairy, and beverage plants.
• Material Handling Supplies Tools, carts, trucks, ingredient bins, pails, totes, and containers (including metal-detectable variants) for sanitary material movement within food facilities.
• PPE & Safety Products Personal protective equipment including gloves, protective clothing, boots, facility identification/lockout-tagout and safety signs, first aid kits, safety glasses, hard hats, bump caps, ear plugs, shoe covers, and respiratory protection for food processing workers.
• Packaging Supplies Stamps and pads, labels, paper and poly bags, bulk packaging products, stretch wrap, pallet wrap, and food-grade bulk packaging (cheese wraps, cheese wax, cheese bags/liners, lidding roll stock).
• Food Ingredients Food ingredients for processors including cheese coagulants and rennet, enzymes, cultures, peppers, flavors and spices, cheese salt, starter media, preservation products, colors and colorants, anticaking/Crystalban, and processing aids.
• SupplyRITE Inventory Solutions Nelson-Jameson's proprietary inventory management solution offering inventory vending, PPE vending, and safety equipment vending machines for food manufacturing plants, deployed as a managed service partnership.
• Equipment Service & Repair In-plant service and repair offering for pumps, valves, plate heat exchangers (PHE), and other process equipment, including Alfa Laval Authorized Service Provider support, equipment audits, and tailored training plans delivered on-site by experienced technicians.
• E-procurement Integration Electronic procurement service enabling business customers to order from Nelson-Jameson through their own procurement systems, supporting B2B purchasing workflows.
• NEXT Logistics Cold Storage & Delivery Captive logistics and cold storage services operated through NEXT Logistics from five U.S. distribution centers (WI, CA, ID, PA, TX), including expanded Pennsylvania cold storage for dairy producers and reusable shipping container programs.
• Dairy Solutions Program Dairy-specific bundled solution set combining ingredients (cheese coagulants, enzymes, cultures, peppers, flavors and spices, cheese salt, starter media, preservation, colors and colorants, anticaking/Crystalban, processing aids), lab equipment and supplies, maintenance, food packaging, food chemicals, and expert-curated programs such as color-coding, metal detectable products, and education/training.
• Delvotest Antibiotic Residue Test Kits AFNOR- and AOAC-certified antibiotic residue test kits (three versions for artisan/farmstead, dairy farmer, and certified dairy laboratory use) used to detect antibiotic residues in cow, sheep, goat, and buffalo milk.
• Sani-Matic ALVIM Biofilm Sensor Biofilm detection sensor that helps food and beverage manufacturers detect biofilm formation on equipment surfaces to maintain sanitary conditions and process integrity.
• Vikan HyGo Mobile Cleaning System & HyDrive Round Brush Mobile cleaning station and accessories from Vikan designed for optimal functionality, ergonomics, and efficiency in food processing sanitation, including the Vikan HyDrive 3.5" Round Brush for drill-based cleaning.
• FOAMit Portable Foamers Battery-powered and air-operated portable foam units that provide cord-free sanitation across food processing facilities.

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Alfa LavalflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNelson-Jameson is an Authorized Alfa Laval Service Provider offering OEM parts, equipment sales, and certified maintenance services. The partnership includes Alfa Laval Pump and Valve training (on-site and remote), Equipment Audits, and Tailored Training Plans. Customers can purchase OEM parts and access training from a single source. Strategic flagship partnership supporting Nelson-Jameson's food processing equipment service and repair capabilities.
• DSM / dsm-firmenichflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership for Delvotest® antibiotic residue tests. Together they launched a dedicated Delvotest® support website (2015) for dairy farmers, dairy labs, and artisan/farmstead operations in the Americas. Includes co-branded Antibiotic Residue Training (webinar and on-site formats). Delvotest is AFNOR & AOAC certified and chosen as the national reference test in most countries worldwide.
• NeogenflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Petrifilm® Certification Workshop — a complimentary immersive workshop for managers, personnel, and teams covering practical knowledge through hands-on training, networking with industry professionals, and environmental monitoring practices. Co-marketed across Nelson-Jameson's resource center and Neogen's brand. Petrifilm plates are a major product category distributed by Nelson-Jameson.
• QualiTru Sampling SystemscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Aseptic Sampling Collection Training. QualiTru provides customized training options including on-site sessions, webinars, and videos, with a library of training materials. Nelson-Jameson distributes QualiTru aseptic sampling products and serves as a delivery channel for their training.
• VikancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVikan SQF Practitioner certified specialists work with Nelson-Jameson to deliver Color-Coded Training & Site Assessment — virtual or on-site color-coded factory layout plans, product recommendations, recommended order forms, and follow-up surveys. Co-branded color-coded program offering extends Nelson-Jameson's color-coding solution portfolio.
• BrukercoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership to implement Bruker FT-NIR analysis technology in customer labs to optimize raw material usage, tighten targets, and eliminate out-of-spec dairy products, maximizing laboratory productivity.
• GivaudancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDistribution partnership for Givaudan's over 600 responsibly sourced natural colors for clean-label food and beverage applications. Givaudan is featured as a brand partner on Nelson-Jameson's color and colorant offering.
• KerrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDistribution partnership for Kerry smoke condensate flavorings, including industry-leading smoke condensates and grill flavors with clean label and Kosher options for meat, cheese, and sauce applications.
• CFS Brands (Carlisle, San Jamar, Sparta)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured color-coded material handling product partner offering a complete color-coded system to prevent cross-contamination by ensuring tools stay in designated areas.
• DetectametcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDistribution partnership for high-performance metal and X-ray detectable supplies (Detectamet) supporting foreign material prevention programs and recall avoidance. Featured brand partner on Nelson-Jameson's metal detectable product offerings.
• FOAMitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDistribution partnership for FOAMit battery-powered and air-operated portable foamers and foam guns providing cord-free sanitation in food processing facilities.
• 3McoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured brand partner in color-coded programs and Environmental Testing Solutions. 3M Petrifilm plates (now Neogen) are a flagship product category in Nelson-Jameson's microbiological testing offerings.
• Mettler ToledominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured brand partner in lab equipment and instrumentation offerings, distributed by Nelson-Jameson to food processors.
• Thermo ScientificminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured brand partner in laboratory equipment and instrumentation offerings, distributed by Nelson-Jameson.
• Anderson NegeleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured brand partner for process instrumentation including inline turbidity sensors and meters used for process optimization in food manufacturing.
• Tingley ProductsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured brand partner for boots and protective footwear including rubber boots, steel toe boots, and insulated boots. Featured in color-coded program catalog and worker safety webinars.
• Whirl-Pak (Filtration Group)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured brand partner for Whirl-Pak sample bags — sampling supplies used in food safety and laboratory testing programs across food processing plants.
• RubbermaidminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured brand partner in color-coded program catalog for material handling, cleaning, and facility maintenance products.
• HygienacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured brand partner for ATP testing products including Hygiena Ultrasnap ATP swabs and luminometers. Featured in Environmental Testing Solutions catalog and laboratory QA/QC offerings.
• StrahmanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured brand partner for washdown equipment, hoses, and process equipment in food processing plants.
• Best Sanitizers Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured brand partner for hand hygiene and sanitation products including antibacterial soap, hand sanitizers, and dispensers.
• AnsellminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured brand partner for protective gloves including disposable gloves, nitrile gloves, chemical gloves, and cut-resistant gloves.
• Valcour Process TechnologiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide customers with cheese inspection and contaminant detection systems. Nelson-Jameson distributes Valcour's inspection technology to cheese makers.
• Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry association partnership including participation in CheeseExpo 2026 in Milwaukee (April 2026), the WCMA Championship Cheese Auction, and Universities of Wisconsin Business Day at the Capitol. Supports dairy industry education, training, and research initiatives.
• University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UW-River Falls)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry-academia collaboration for talent pipeline: Nelson-Jameson participates in Universities of Wisconsin Business Day in the Capitol to highlight how UW-River Falls supplies talent and training to support dairy operations. UWRF graduates fill industry leadership roles in Wisconsin's dairy sector.
• Innovation Center for U.S. DairyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNelson-Jameson is a proud member of the Innovation Center for US Dairy, collaborating on industry initiatives to bring together people with resources and education.
• EcoVadisminorOthersSustainability assessment and rating partnership; Nelson-Jameson has been awarded the EcoVadis Bronze Medal placing it among the top 35% of companies assessed globally.
• ISN (ISNetworld)minorOthersContractor safety management platform membership verifying Nelson-Jameson's contractor safety compliance for client organizations.
• Cherney CollegeminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEducational partnership providing food safety training classes including 'Environmental Monitoring & Sanitation Essentials,' 'Introduction to Food Microbiology-The Basics,' and 'Advanced Food Microbiology.' Nelson-Jameson customers receive 10% discount on Cherney College courses.
• Center for Dairy Research (CDR)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEducational partnership with the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) at University of Wisconsin, providing short courses including 'Wisconsin Cleaning and Sanitation Workshop,' 'HACCP Workshop,' and 'Milk Pasteurization.' Also benefits from a $90,000 commitment to the Wuethrich Family/Grassland Dairy Center of Excellence.
• NascominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured brand partner in Environmental Testing Solutions catalog for environmental sampling and testing products used in food safety programs.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cheney Brothers: Privately held broadline foodservice and food processor distributor headquartered in Florida with multi-state distribution centers. Most directly comparable to Nelson-Jameson in B2B distribution model, multi-category supply (food, supplies, equipment), and family-ownership orientation, though with greater foodservice exposure and larger scale.
• Dot Foods: Largest food industry redistributor in North America, delivering food, dairy, and processing supplies to foodservice distributors and food manufacturers. Comparable in distribution scale, broad product catalog, and supplier partnership model, with similar captive logistics capabilities.
• Imperial Dade: Privately held distributor of foodservice packaging, janitorial, sanitation, and food processing supplies with national distribution footprint. Closely comparable to Nelson-Jameson's sanitation, PPE, and food processing product mix and single-source supplier positioning.
• BradyIFS: Foodservice and industrial distributor formed from Brady Industries' foodservice business, supplying disposables, sanitation, and equipment to foodservice operators and food processors. Overlaps with Nelson-Jameson's JanSan, PPE, and equipment distribution categories.
• Reinhart Foodservice: Privately held broadline foodservice distributor serving restaurants, schools, and food processors across the Midwest and beyond. Comparably scaled specialty distributor with overlapping product categories (food, supplies, equipment) and similar family-influenced operating culture.
• Alfa Laval: Global OEM manufacturer of pumps, valves, plate heat exchangers, and dairy processing equipment — Nelson-Jameson's flagship authorized service partner. Direct peer in the equipment service, parts, and training business that Nelson-Jameson distributes and services in North America.

Broad incumbents

• Sysco: Largest U.S. broadline foodservice distributor with growing food processor supply exposure through Sysco Imperial and FreshPoint. A scaled incumbent whose procurement scale and broad catalog pressure specialty distributors like Nelson-Jameson on price and assortment.
• US Foods: Major broadline foodservice distributor with expanding food processor and industrial supply categories. Comparable in distribution breadth and customer-overlap with food manufacturers, though at significantly larger scale and broader portfolio than Nelson-Jameson.
• Performance Food Group: Large U.S. foodservice and convenience distributor with Vistar food processor supply division. Overlaps with Nelson-Jameson in B2B food processor supply channels and broad product distribution, but at much greater scale across multiple verticals.
• Grainger: Largest U.S. industrial MRO distributor with growing food processor customer base across PPE, janitorial, lab supplies, and material handling. Comparable in B2B catalog breadth and same-day shipping, but operates as a broad incumbent versus Nelson-Jameson's food-industry specialization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/nelsonjameson
• Facebookfacebook.com/nelsonjameson
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nelson-jameson-inc.
• Xx.com/nelsonjameson

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nelson-Jameson