LIVINGSTON — Ownership changes are afoot at Wilcoxson’s Ice Cream, a 125-year-old company with Livingston beginnings, after its sale to Neil Schultz, 38, a Montana native and Bozeman resident.
Wilcoxson’s, with roughly 30 total employees, is the largest Montana ice cream producer, according to reports from the state Department of Livestock.
“Montana is home,” said the new owner, referencing the acquisition. “Wilcoxson’s tastes like the best of childhood.”
Schultz acquired a majority stake in the company from Livingston resident Matt Schaeffer, prior president and company CEO, according to documents filed with the Montana Secretary of State’s office June 2.
“I’m old as dirt and stubborn,” said Schaeffer, 65, who has been involved with the ice cream manufacturer for more than 45 years. “[I] wasn’t going to let Wilcoxson’s go out of state. It belongs here, always has. Neil’s a good kid. He’ll do fine.”
Schaeffer, who first joining the company painting trucks and running the Yellowstone National Park delivery route nearly a half-century ago, explained his isn’t going anywhere and intends to remain involved in the company’s operations as a minority shareholder.
Carl Wilcoxson founded Wilcoxson’s in 1912. The ice cream manufacturer has distributed dairy delights throughout Montana and Wyoming for more than a century.
Schultz graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, where he met his wife, Kimberly, an attorney. The pair live in Bozeman with their two young sons.
“We will continue to celebrate the people, land, and culture that makes our state so special,” said Schultz, predicting that under his leadership Wilcoxson’s can retain its core values and traditions.
Schultz cited no plans to change the long-time manufacturer’s time-tested recipes or production processes.
Schultz said his experience in food production and packaging from training in industrial design and working for Juicero, a food manufacturing startup, is informing his future management.
Schultz cofounded Altrac, an agricultural company specializing in irrigation and frost protection automation that’s used by growers in the Flathead Valley. Schultz sold the company to Semios, a Canadian AgTech company, in 2021.
Schultz grew up in Billings and graduated from Billings West High School. He credited his parents, medical field workers, with instilling in him a lifelong passion for Montana culture and heritage.
Wilcoxson’s remaining under local control is one aspect of the transition in which both Schultz and Schaeffer expressed pride.
“Matt and I are glad we found each other,” Schultz said. “Montana is Wilcoxson’s country, and keeping Wilcoxson’s in Montana hands was important to both of us. We’re keeping jobs here in Montana and excited about creating new opportunities for folks.”
Schultz said his vision is to carefully bring Wilcoxson’s into the 21st century, expanding freezer capacity and modernizing distribution, while respecting the company’s rich heritage.
“We’re honored to guide Wilcoxson’s into its next 100 years, ensuring future families can enjoy ice cream exactly as the Wilcoxson family intended,” Schultz said.
