In it for the long run
Owned by the
same family since
1924
100 Years, One Family
The Home City Ice story is no fairytale—it’s an epic saga of hard work, overcoming obstacles, learning from experience, and bonds that extend beyond the Sedler family. A humble and faithful start in 1924 gained momentum by the passion, innovation, and commitment of its people. They started small, stayed singularly focused on service, and grew into a successful and enduring family business. Home City Ice is proud to celebrate “100 Years, One Family,” a century old legacy and a bright future.
The Home City Ice History
As we turn the pages back on a remarkable century, we celebrate a family-owned business now proudly in its third generation of leadership. We honor the past and look forward to the future, driven by the same commitment to excellence and family values that have guided us through the years.
A Snapshot in Time
The Sedler Family is proud of the history of Home City Ice. Over the last century, Home City has positively impacted the lives of thousands of employees while delivering high-quality service to hundreds of thousands of customers. The family is excited to see what the next 100 years brings.
1920s
1924
Frank J. Sedler, a refrigeration equipment salesman, buys into Home City Ice located in Home City, Ohio (now Sayler Park). Originally established in the late 1800s as Home City Ice Coal and Feed, the company served residential customers with home ice delivery.
Home CIty Ice completes first acquisition, Aurora Ice (Aurora, IN).
1928
First acquisition takes place- Aurora Ice (Aurora, IN).
1930s
Modern refrigerators became more common in homes due to the introduction of cheap electric motors.
1940s
Still in the early stages of the business, the company becomes 100% Sedler owned in 1940 only to experience tremendous loss by 1944 with the passing of Frank Sedler.
The business continues with the help of Loretta and the children.
1944
Mr. Sedler, who was 53 years old, died of a heart attack at Good Samaritan Hospital. Services are held upon arrival of his son, Aviation Cadet Patrick Sedler, who is in training at Corpus Christi, TX.
1950s
Keeping up with the times, in 1957 the first coin-operated vendor was purchased and by 1958, home delivery of block ice was discontinued.
Challenging times in the ice industry saw sales drop from $400k to $66k.
1960s
With Tom and Pat Sedler leading the business through challenging times, innovation to stay relevant is key during the 60s. This means investing in outdoor merchandisers, purchasing a Gufford wood cube cutter, introducing the poly coated paper bag, and the start of building a truck fleet capable of managing the changing needs.
1962
Employees hand-built eight coin operated ice vending machines.
1965
First year to make a profit in almost 20 years after the refrigerator disrupted home ice delivery, forcing a pivot to convenience store delivery.
The company begins advertising and experiences growth in non-traditional markets through their King Kwik alliance.
1968
Purchased first 14-foot delivery truck equipped with refrigeration unit and liftgate. Now one truck and driver can complete a solo delivery route.
1970s
1972
Two big changes this year that bring on modern- day ice distribution: The introduction of poly ice bags replaced machine- stitched paper bags for better durability and to enable the consumer to see the product before opening. Kroger and other grocers began retailing the product in indoor merchandisers with glass doors, a practice continued to this day.
1975
Company sales exceed $1,000,000.
1970s
Growing the ice market to include convenience stores and grocery chains like Kroger, would require the need to invest in the delivery of the ice. The 1970s meant creating a fleet that would allow them to be more efficient while also hiring a team, like the first in-house mechanic, to allow for optimal performance.
1980s
1981
Introduces the ice nugget as the primary product. This thicker turbo ice in the form of a nugget replaced cubes, which were a sanitation hazard and expensive to produce.
A decade of building and growth, the footprint expands by building plants in Columbus, Dayton, and Forest Park. Acquisitions begin to take center stage with the hiring of Lou McGuire, who would go on to assist with over 150 ice acquisitions. Greg Geiser moves into a role dedicated to representing the needs of the customer.
1990s
For the first time, back- office functions are separated from operations with the first corporate office in Dent, Ohio. Sales crossed $10M and company growth led to the first annual managers’ meeting where staff gathered to learn from each other and share best practices. Plus, The Big Bag is introduced and becomes the consumer’s package of choice, making up the majority of sales today.
1994
Jay Stautberg started in 1994 to lead accounting and line up financing for future growth.
1998
Central equipment facility “Rt. 128” was the first of its kind in the industry. Merchandisers, trucks, and equipment were purchased, stored, and rehabbed centrally, allowing ice plants to focus on core duties of keeping up customer service.
2000s
A company firmly rooted in giving back to the community, the new millennium brought many opportunities to help those in need. Shipped in excess of 800 semi loads to effected areas from hurricanes in 2004 and then responded to Hurricane Katrina the following year with 1500 semi-loads to effected areas. Closer to home, in 2008, remnants of Hurricane Ike reach Cincinnati, causing major power outages.
2000
What will become the largest acquisition, Polar Ice greatly expands sales and provides a larger footprint for new territories.
2005
Breaking ground for the new Bridgetown corporate office building, the third generation of leaders prepares for the future. Sales exceed $100 million.
2010s
The decade is dedicated to continuing on the path of acquisitions. During this time the company grew to 71 locations in Kansas, Iowa, Arkansas, and South Carolina.
2013
Longstanding advocates of embracing technology, the company builds on the digital age through customer interaction, payment methods, efficiency models, and in 2013, using handheld smart devices.
2020s
Growth and expansion continues.
In just 30 years, Home City Ice grows from eight locations to 160 and is recognized as the largest family owned ice company in North America.
PAT SEDLER
World War II played an important role in the history of Home City Ice. Frank Patrick “Pat” Sedler, the oldest son of Founder Frank Joseph Sedler, grew up during the 1930s being mentored by his father in the ice business from a young age. As a young adult, he started classes at Xavier University, but like many young men of the era, he felt the call to defend his country when Pearl Harbor was attacked in December 1941. In early 1942, Pat enlisted in the Navy Air Corps and left school, family, and Cincinnati to train to fly the F6F Hellcat, a Navy fighter plane which operated off aircraft carriers. He served on military bases from Illinois to Florida to Texas. He was a gifted pilot committed to the war efforts.
During his military service, Pat made 43 carrier landings on the USS Independence and flew with the Navy until the war ended. “WAR OVER, THANK GOD!” he wrote in his flight logbook in mid-August, 1945. Pat was happy to return home to his loved ones and get back to the family business, but he loved flying so much that his sense of service led him to fly fighter aircraft in the Navy Reserves until 1954.
Frank P. Sedler Flying in WWII
The Early Days
The Ice Plant
TOM SEDLER
It can be a challenge to start a family business, but to keep it going can be an even greater feat. Tom Sedler was born into the ice business his parents started. He was only 10 years old when his father died and the Sayler Park ice plant that was his playground became his career. Tom grew and matured into the business and started officially working full-time at Home City Ice after graduating from St. Xavier High School. He worked during the day and went to classes at Xavier University at night to earn a business degree.
While Tom’s older brother Pat worked on the engineering and operations side of the business, he focused on marketing. With the 1950s rise in popularity of electric refrigerators, the ice business was facing a fight for its life. Having learned a strong work ethic from his dad and the value of family, community, and relationships from his mom, Tom drew from both sides of himself and led Home City Ice in a new direction—he developed a partnership with King Kwik convenience stores. Under this alliance, both companies flourished and grew.
Step Back in Time: Explore the Golden Era of Advertising
From its earliest days, Home City Ice has flexed its marketing savvy muscle. In the mid 70s, during the rise of convenient stores and pony kegs, the company entered the Cincinnati broadcasting market with the catchy King Kwik “Ice-a-Nice” campaign. The 80s brought us the “Perfect Picnic Partners” with former Bengals and sports broadcasting legend, Chris Collinsworth.
The Ice Man Cometh
The 1930s and 40s Iceman was known for his swagger and might. It took a lot of strength to haul heavy ice blocks from a truck to the kitchen with only a pair of tongs, so he was a muscleman.
Today, one hundred years from its start, Home City Ice’s success is still based on timely and efficient ice delivery. Now, the “iceman,” who isn’t always a man, comes in a big rig filled with pallet after pallet of bagged ice and equipped with an electric liftgate, but always with a smile and still with a healthy dose of swagger.
The Coolest Summer Job in Town
During hot summers, the coolest job in town is with Home City Ice. The staff balloons from 1,300 to 3,500 during May through September, the “red zone” of ice production for the busy season. Home City’s driven summer team bundles up and heads into work at the frosty plants where the temperature hovers at 20 degrees. Many summer staff enjoy it so much they return year after year, bringing their siblings and friends to work with them. Just a warning: the ice business could get into your blood. The summer program has launched many long-term careers. Once a part of the team, always a member of the Home City Ice family.
“When a kid starts out with us in the summertime, they’re all kinds of meek and meager. But they’ve got that swagger by the end of the summer. It’s a privilege to watch them mature into young adults.”
-Tommy Sedler
