History

Departments

Fred Mueller and Phil Yurgae founded Mueller Yurgae Associates in May, 1975.  

Our roots are in the confectionery business. Fred was the Divisional Sales manager for the E.J. Brach candy company having moved from Chicago, IL to Des Moines, IA in 1968. Phil was Fred’s top sales person based in Cedar Rapids, IA. Tom Devereux, now a partner in the firm, was the Nebraska territory manager for Brach when MYA was formed.  When the “doors opened” Mueller Yurgae had five total associates. MYA represented just a few manufacturers such as Amurol Candy (now owned by Wrigley) CeDe Candy (still represented by MYA), Switzer Licorice and Bachman Pretzel Company.

Our first location at 8527 University in Clive, IA was a second floor 800 s/f office. 

In 1977,  Dan Mueller joined the company.  That same year MYA introduced a new Sugar Free mint to the market (Velamints).  Income earned from that incredible launch was invested in additional sales associates and the business grew dramatically.  Bob Mueller joined the company in 1978.  Marilyn O’Brien one of MYA’s best retail sales people joined the company in 1981 & remains a top performer to this day.  

Through the vision of Phil Yurgae, MYA’s distributing company (Diversified Distributing) was formed in 1984. MYA moved to 9083 Swanson Blvd in Clive, IA in 1992. In August 1993, the building “took water” (along with the entire Midwest!) during the floods of ’93. 

Fred Mueller retired in 1994.  The “second generation” began when Jeff Yurgae joined the company from Kimberly Clark in 1998.

His brother Chris (who was born the day before the company started!) joined MYA in 1999.

Mueller Yurgae Associates to diversify it’s portfolio has acquired a number of companies. Some of them include:

> Claussen Rice Brokerage (1988) >  Kiefer Sales (2001) allowing us to open our Colorado office > Jackson Sales (2001) strengthening our Mass Merchandiser involvement > Food Marketing, Inc (2004) bringing MYA into the Food Service business.  In 2000, MYA became the broker for Amana Meats. Glen Geiger was hired to grow that business which now includes many fresh meat, salad, and dairy/deli items. In 2001, MYA hired George Tracy and Bob Gostomski (previously with Sales Force Companies) with their leadership MYA’s grocery department grew with the addition of many former Sales Force manufacturers. 

In 2004, MYA built a new facility in Grimes, IA with 6000 s/f of office & 20,000 s/f of warehouse space.  Today, Mueller Yurgae has 118 Associates in 8 states serving the needs of our customers. We continue to work hard to grow our business while honoring the “foundation of family” established by Fred Mueller and Phil Yurgae.