Willamette Valley Pie Company wins OSU business award

The Willamette Valley Pie Company earned another award this year following the company's 2013 spinoff from the Willamette Valley Fruit Company.

The company received word this week it is the recipient of an Excellence in Family Business Award, a product of the Austin Family Business Program at Oregon State University.

Owned by third-generation farmers outside Salem, the company was named for the Business Renewal award that honors steps taken to preserve the family business for future generations. Sherri Noxel, the program director at OSU, said the Willamette Valley Pie Company stood out from the beginning of the selection process.

"In family business, it's terribly important that they have structure and maintenance," Noxel said, adding that a big part of good structure is the willingness to bring in outside talent and leadership.

"It's not typical in family businesses to have outside directors on their board," Noxel said. "When you have a family united behind the mission and they bring in the best outside people, then that business will last for generations."

Andrew Martin, a sales representative and family member, said they're proud of their openness.

"We are not too arrogant to say we know exactly how to run a business all the time," Martin said. "We've had a good blend of knowing what our past is, but still bringing in new ideas and people to help build what we have going here."

In March, the Willamette Valley Pie Company also received a silver medal in the Statesman Journal's Best of the Mid-Valley contest, in the "best dessert" category.

Martin said Friday the company hopes to earn more attention in the months ahead by rolling out out a new "artisan" line of pies, with unique combinations such as caramel apple and peach raspberry pie.