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About Melhorn Sales Service & Trucking Co.

Built on integrity, biosecurity, and dependable service since 1957

68

Years of Service

2

State Hubs

4

Related Companies

28

States Serviced

About Melhorn Sales Service & Trucking Co.

Built on integrity, biosecurity, and dependable service since 1957

68

Years of Service

2

State HUBS

4

Related Companies

28

States Serviced

Our Story

Founded in 1957 and rooted in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, Melhorn has built a legacy defined by integrity, biosecurity, and dependable service to the poultry industry. What began as a local operation has grown into a trusted, multi-state partner for layer producers, with locations in Pennsylvania and Van Wert, Ohio, allowing us to better serve producers across the Midwest and beyond.

Melhorn's approach is shaped by experience. Industry challenges, including the HPAI outbreaks of the 1980s, reinforced the responsibility we carry as a service provider to uphold the highest biosecurity standards. Today all equipment is equipped with onboard disinfectant and is washed and disinfected on our facilities with indoor storage prioritized. This practice reflects our ongoing commitment to protecting flock health and supporting our customers with consistency and care.

In addition to equipment and logistics, Melhorn provides comprehensive spent fowl marketing services, ensuring efficient, responsible transitions at the end of production. While Melhorn remains focused on its core services, our strength is enhanced through close collaboration with our sister companies. MainJoy Unlimited, LLC and Great Plains Poultry Service, LLC provide skilled bird handling and vaccination services, while JWM Poultry Solutions, LLC supports pullet growing and experienced service technicians.

Together, Melhorn Sales Service & Trucking Co., MainJoy Unlimited, LLC, Great Plains Poultry Service, LLC, and JWM Poultry Solutions, LLC operate under the Paragon Poultry family of companies. Paragon Poultry offers producers a streamlined, "one call does it all" approach, delivering coordinated support across the full lifecycle of a layer flock.

From the day a chick is housed to the day she is humanely removed from production, Melhorn remains committed to knowledgeable, reliable service backed by decades of experience and a forward-looking approach to poultry care.

Our Story

Founded in 1957 and rooted in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, Melhorn has built a legacy defined by integrity, biosecurity, and dependable service to the poultry industry. What began as a local operation has grown into a trusted, multi-state partner for layer producers, with locations in Pennsylvania and Van Wert, Ohio, allowing us to better serve producers across the Midwest and beyond.

Melhorn's approach is shaped by experience. Industry challenges, including the HPAI outbreaks of the 1980s, reinforced the responsibility we carry as a service provider to uphold the highest biosecurity standards. Today all equipment is equipped with onboard disinfectant and is washed and disinfected on our facilities with indoor storage prioritized. This practice reflects our ongoing commitment to protecting flock health and supporting our customers with consistency and care.

In addition to equipment and logistics, Melhorn provides comprehensive spent fowl marketing services, ensuring efficient, responsible transitions at the end of production. While Melhorn remains focused on its core services, our strength is enhanced through close collaboration with our sister companies. MainJoy Unlimited, LLC and Great Plains Poultry Service, LLC provide skilled bird handling and vaccination services, while JWM Poultry Solutions, LLC supports pullet growing and experienced service technicians.

Together, Melhorn Sales Service & Trucking Co., MainJoy Unlimited, LLC, Great Plains Poultry Service, LLC, and JWM Poultry Solutions, LLC operate under the Paragon Poultry family of companies. Paragon Poultry offers producers a streamlined, "one call does it all" approach, delivering coordinated support across the full lifecycle of a layer flock.

From the day a chick is housed to the day she is humanely removed from production, Melhorn remains committed to knowledgeable, reliable service backed by decades of experience and a forward-looking approach to poultry care.

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Our Mission

At Melhorn, our mission is to support the poultry industry through logistics and transportation by delivering dependable, high-quality service that emphasizes innovation, operational efficiency, and strong partnerships across the poultry industry. We are committed to excellence in every mile we drive and every load we move, ensuring customer satisfaction while helping our partners succeed. No matter the challenges, we stand behind the industry with resilience, reliability, and purpose.

History & Milestones

Nearly 70 years of service, innovation, and growth

1957–1958 Foundation

After serving in the US Navy, John Melhorn began selling chicks for Dekalb. To support the business, he built his first pullet house in Mount Joy, PA, and integrated breeder and hatchery operations.

1960 Industry Growth

As the industry grew, John established the company’s first professional poultry  catching crews. In 1965, he purchased his first truck to begin hauling live poultry.

1984 New Headquarters

The company moved to its current headquarters on Main Street in Mount Joy,  allowing for the expansion of our fleet and full-time service teams.

2008 New Leadership

Astin Melhorn joined the company full-time as COO, bringing a lifetime of hands on experience and a new strategic vision while maintaining the company’s core values.

2012 Spent Fowl Marketing

The company began marketing spent fowl for customers and began to establish roots in Ohio to further serve customers.

2015 Company Acquisition

Astin Melhorn purchases the company.

2017 Ohio Expansion

We are expanding into Ohio with new indoor storage and truck wash capabilities. By 2026, our Van Wert facility will be fully operational, providing dedicated space to clean our equipment and uphold our state-of-the-art biosecurity protocols.

2025 Ohio
Facility

Official Ground breaking for the Melhorn site in Van Wert Ohio!

Our Team

Experienced professionals dedicated to serving the poultry industry

Behind every service call is a team of dedicated professionals—from drivers and technicians to office staff and management. Each team member brings expertise, care, and a commitment to upholding the Melhorn standard of excellence.

Astin Melhorn

President

Scott Hanson

Director of Strategic Operation

Anthony Wenger

Safety Director

Scott Hess

Director of Infrastructure

Our Team

Experienced professionals dedicated to serving the poultry industry

Behind every service call is a team of dedicated professionals—from drivers and technicians to office staff and management. Each team member brings expertise, care, and a commitment to upholding the Melhorn standard of excellence.

Jeff Kreiser

Scheduling Team Leader

Michael Burkholder

Logistics Scheduling Coordinator

Dustin Minnich

Systems Administrator

Gabby Gross

Border Paperwork Specialist

Related Companies

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JWM Poultry Solutions, LLC

JWM Poultry Solutions delivers comprehensive poultry services backed by more than 30 years of hands-on industry experience with a team of certified poultry technicians. Their expertise spans pullet growing and care, layer service and management across all housing systems, broiler production  support, and professional vaccination partnered with our crews from Mainjoy Unlimited and Great Plains Poultry Service. With skilled, bio-secure crews and modern  equipment, JWM focuses on bird health, production efficiency, and animal welfare at every  stage. From chick placement through production, JWM provides reliable guidance, practical  solutions, and trusted support to poultry producers.

MainJoy Unlimited

At MainJoy Unlimited, we specialize in providing professional poultry handling services, focusing on efficient loading and unloading operations with our trained and qualified crews. We also prioritize biosecurity by implementing industry-leading sanitation procedures and using top-quality equipment to ensure the health and safety of the poultry during handling. Our MainJoy crews are based out of Pennsylvania and Connecticut.

Great Plains Poultry Service, LLC

at Great Plains, we specialize in providing professional poultry handling services,  focusing on efficient loading and unloading operations with our trained and qualified crews. We  also prioritize biosecurity by implementing industry-leading sanitation procedures and using top  quality equipment to ensure the health and safety of the poultry during handling. Our Great  Plains crews are based out of Ohio and Washington. 

Paragon Poultry Management Group

Paragon Poultry Management Group was created to bring consistency, efficiency, and strategic alignment across the Melhorn family of companies, including Melhorn Sales, Service & Trucking Co., JWM Poultry Solutions, MainJoy Unlimited, and Great Plains Poultry Services. Operating across multiple states, Paragon provides centralized leadership in finance, human resources, safety, logistics, infrastructure, and technology. This unified approach ensures consistent standards, equal opportunities for employees, and seamless execution across all entities. For customers, Paragon is the single point of contact, one call connects you to the full strength of our organizations, coordinated to serve you best.

One Call Does It All

Through Paragon Poultry, producers have access to a complete suite of services spanning the entire layer lifecycle. From chick placement to spent fowl removal, our Paragon Poultry Management Group delivers coordinated, professional support backed by decades of experience and a shared commitment to biosecurity and animal welfare. Call us today at 717-653-1102 and let’s build your plan together!

One Call Does It All

Through Paragon Poultry, producers have access to a complete suite of services spanning the entire layer lifecycle. From chick placement to spent fowl removal, our Paragon Poultry Management Group delivers coordinated, professional support backed by decades of experience and a shared commitment to biosecurity and animal welfare. Call us today at 717-653-1102 and let’s build your plan together!