Food Manufacturer Case Study

Case Studies > Josef’s Artisan Meats Case Study

Josef’s Artisan Meats Food Manufacturer Case Study

Josef’s Artisan Meats, a family-owned producer of sausages, deli meats, and award-winning charcuterie, reached a point where tradition alone could not drive growth. Their reputation and long-standing relationship with Wegmans gave them stability, but their outdated online presence left them unable to capture the growing demand from consumers outside New York. Travelers and visitors who sampled Josef’s products often asked how they could purchase again once back home, and the answer was disappointing: there was no simple way. This created urgency to modernize their digital approach and establish e-commerce as a viable growth channel. 

Partnering with Cazbah provided the integrated solution Josef’s needed. Over a five-year relationship, they transitioned from negligible online sales to a thriving digital business that grows by an average of 20% annually. In one standout year, growth exceeded 100%, forcing the team to pull back simply because production capacity couldn’t keep pace with demand. The combination of technology, process discipline, and a collaborative partnership with Cazbah allowed Josef’s to expand its reach while staying true to its roots. In this food manufacturer case study, we’ll explain how Cazbah help Josef’s achieve these metrics:

• Average online sales growth of 20% annually. 
• One year surpassing 100% growth from aggressive campaigns. 
• Five-time renewal with Cazbah, underscoring ROI and trust. 
• Josef’s dedicated Internet Marketing Consultant, Dan, assisted with SEO, website enhancements, and an excellent email marketing strategy to remind loyal customers of upcoming sales and events. 

As Craig Funk, Director of Business Development, described it: “It’s a synergy. A true partnership. We’re both working to achieve the same objective.”

Company at a Glance 

Josef’s Artisan Meats is a small but ambitious business built on craftsmanship and family ownership. Originally known as Hartman’s Old World Sausage, the company was acquired by Josef and Elizabeth in 2007, and from there began a steady process of modernization. Investments in equipment, facilities, and processes reinforced a commitment to quality. Their most recent milestone, a brand-new salami production facility twice the size of the original, demonstrated both confidence and readiness to scale. 

Though Wegmans and wholesale distribution remained their foundation, Josef’s leadership recognized that consumer habits had shifted dramatically. Direct-to-consumer online sales were no longer optional—they were now a requirement for competitiveness. This realization positioned them to seek out a digital partner capable of elevating their brand and expanding their market footprint. 

• Sales channels: Wholesale, Wegmans, and direct-to-consumer e-commerce.
• Facilities: A new salami production plant, doubling capacity.
• Systems in place: Website, SEO, and marketing campaigns built and managed by Cazbah. 

Situation & Stakes (Before Cazbah) 

When Josef’s first evaluated their position online, the contrast between their production quality and their digital presence was glaring. Craig Funk recalled bluntly, “We had a very meager, antiquated online presence. We knew that wasn’t going to cut the mustard.” For a company priding itself on world-class charcuterie, the outdated site sent the wrong message. Worse, it failed to capture demand from customers eager to purchase again after discovering Josef’s through Wegmans or word of mouth. 

The risk was clear: without a strong e-commerce presence, Josef’s would remain boxed in as a regional supplier, ceding the national market to larger competitors with sophisticated digital strategies. For a company that had just doubled its production capacity, this was not sustainable.

• Missed opportunities to capture repeat buyers outside Wegmans’ footprint.
• Competitive disadvantage against larger producers with robust digital marketing.
• Risk of brand perception falling behind product quality. 

Objectives 

When Josef’s engaged Cazbah, the objectives were ambitious yet grounded in reality. They needed to build a digital presence that reflected the quality of their products and served as a reliable engine for growth. But more than just a new website, they sought a partner who could help them develop strategy, target the right customers, and sustain momentum over time. 

Internally, success was measured not just in dollars but in credibility and competitiveness. The goal was to establish an online channel that would earn consumer trust, strengthen the brand’s reputation, and scale alongside their production growth. 

• Launch a modern e-commerce site that matched product quality. 
• Build a credible online presence that reached beyond New York. 
• Generate consistent, sustainable year-over-year revenue growth. 

Why Cazbah 

At first, Josef’s considered hiring a freelance web developer, but it quickly became clear that a piecemeal solution wouldn’t meet their needs. They required a comprehensive approach—one that integrated technology, process, and people. That’s where Cazbah stood out with their total 

internet marketing solution of redesigning the site, offering e-commerce set up and support, and a SEO strategy with their Internet Marketing Consultants. 

Craig Funk explained that the relationship was about more than just a vendor delivering a product. “It’s a hand-in-hand adventure,” he said. “A true synergy where both sides work toward the same goal.” Cazbah’s model brought not just web development but also SEO, content,  campaign management, and ongoing strategy, all tied together with a genuine interest in understanding what made Josef’s different. 

• Integrated solution: Website, SEO, e-commerce, and strategy in one package with no “surpise” charges. 
• Industry understanding: A focus on differentiation and storytelling to stand out in a competitive market. 
• Collaborative partnership: Built on accountability, trust, and shared objectives. 

Solution Overview (Technology • Process • People) 

Cazbah’s approach addressed Josef’s needs across three dimensions: technology, process, and people. The first step was building a modern e-commerce website, capable of handling direct-to-consumer sales and optimized to attract buyers searching online for charcuterie and specialty meats. SEO strategies ensured visibility, while targeted campaigns helped Josef’s focus on high-potential customer segments. 

On the process side, the focus was on precision. Instead of broad campaigns, Josef’s learned to analyze data and concentrate on product categories and customer segments underserved by competitors. This strategy allowed them to maximize return on marketing spend and capture niche demand. 

The human element was equally important. Craig Funk worked closely with his dedicated Internet Marketing Consultant (IMC), Dan, creating a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. While Craig often pushed for innovation—like adding video and interactive content—Cazbah responded with openness and practical solutions, ensuring both creativity and stability while staying within scope. 

• Technology: A Cazbah-built e-commerce website, SEO campaigns, and email marketing. 
• Process: Data-driven targeting and differentiated messaging. 
• People: Collaborative partnership between Josef’s leadership and Cazbah’s IMC, Dan.

Implementation & Timeline 

The transformation unfolded in phases, each building on the last. The foundation began with a new website and SEO work, followed by the introduction of e-commerce functionality. Once the basics were in place, Josef’s moved into targeted campaigns that emphasized differentiation and refined their approach based on results. 

Growth came quickly. In one year, aggressive marketing drove demand so high that sales more than doubled, surpassing 100% growth. Ironically, success brought its own challenge—Josef’s had to scale back marketing temporarily because production couldn’t keep up. That experience reinforced both the power of digital marketing and the need to align campaigns with operational capacity. 

• Phase 1: Audit and foundational website build. 
• Phase 2: Launch of e-commerce and SEO-driven campaigns. 
• Phase 3: Targeted campaigns refined for efficiency and sustainability. 

Results (After) 

The before-and-after story is striking. Josef’s went from an outdated, almost invisible web presence to a competitive e-commerce business with national reach. Online revenue, once negligible, now grows by 20% each year on average. In one extraordinary year, growth exceeded 100% as targeted campaigns uncovered untapped demand. 

What makes the success even more compelling is that much of it has been achieved with modest marketing activity—often just one or two email blasts a month. For Josef’s, the return on investment has been undeniable, confirmed by five consecutive renewals with Cazbah. As Craig Funk said, “With minimal attention to marketing—just one or two blasts a month—we’re already seeing 20% year-over-year growth.” 

• Average 20% year-over-year revenue growth. 
• One year exceeding 100% growth through aggressive campaigns. 
• Five consecutive renewals with Cazbah, underscoring satisfaction and ROI.

Customer Voice 

Craig Funk’s perspective reveals the essence of the partnership. For him, it’s not just about results but also about collaboration, trust, and the willingness to innovate together. 

• “It’s a synergy. A true partnership.” 
• “Before Cazbah, our online presence was meager. Now, we’re competitive nationally.”
• “We grew so quickly, we had to scale back because we couldn’t keep up with demand.” 

Lessons Learned & Best Practices 

Josef’s experience offers valuable insights for other SMB manufacturers considering digital transformation. The lessons are clear: e-commerce is essential, partnerships matter, and growth must be managed carefully to align with capacity. 

• Digital channels are critical even for traditional industries. 
• The right partner integrates technology, process, and people. 
• Plan for success—rapid growth can strain operations if unprepared. 

Trust & Proof as Shown in This Food Manufacturer Case Study

The trust Josef’s has placed in Cazbah is evident in both results and renewals. For a company that once struggled online, the transformation has been dramatic and measurable. 

• Annual Growth: 20% average YOY. 
• Highest Spike: 100% increase in one year. 
• Renewals: Five consecutive contracts with Cazbah. 

Cazbah can provide the same results to your brand as we have for Josef’s Artisan Meats! Reach out to our expert team to learn more about our service and how we can support your growing brand. We look forward to producing similar results!