Motor City Ice repurposes former 30,000-square-foot Forgotten Harvest building into a fully automated ice production facility serving Metro Detroit.
DETROIT, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A group of three established Metro Detroit business families has invested more than $15 million to launch Motor City Ice, a new ice manufacturing and distribution company in Oak Park, Michigan, creating 50 new jobs and bringing advanced manufacturing technology to Southeast Michigan.
The company officially began operations October 19, 2026, after transforming the former 30,000-square-foot Forgotten Harvest facility at 21800 Greenfield Road into a fully automated ice manufacturing plant. The facility has an initial production capacity of 150 tons of ice per day, with plans to expand to 300 tons daily.
Motor City Ice is a partnership between the Loussia, Yaldo, and Kas-Marogi families, combining decades of experience in grocery distribution, ice manufacturing, and retail operations.
The Loussia family owns Value Wholesale Distributors, founded by John Loussia in 1991 and now operated by Matthew and Brian Loussia. The company has grown into a regional grocery distributor serving supermarkets across nine states. The Yaldo family previously owned American Ice and worked with U.S. Ice, bringing direct industry experience. The Kas-Marogi family has served Detroit’s retail community since 1979 through Kenwood Liquor on Woodward Avenue.
“Between our three families, we bring decades of experience in ice manufacturing, grocery distribution, and retail operations,” said Matthew Loussia, Co-Founder of Motor City Ice. “With the recent acquisition of U.S. Ice, we saw an opportunity for a locally owned company that understands this market and puts customer service first. We invested more than $15 million because we believe in Metro Detroit and wanted to build a first-class operation.”
Technology Designed to Prevent Ice Shortages
Motor City Ice has introduced an advanced distribution system combining sensor-equipped retail ice merchandisers with AI-powered truck routing technology.
The sensors monitor ice inventory levels at retail locations and transmit information to company headquarters. An AI-based system analyzes sales patterns, anticipates demand, and automatically schedules replenishment deliveries, helping retailers avoid running out of ice.
The company has also invested in a brand-new fleet of 11 delivery vehicles to serve grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations, and other retailers throughout Southeast Michigan.
Advanced Manufacturing and Water Filtration
The Oak Park facility manufactures premium tube ice in 7-pound and 20-pound retail bags, using a three-stage water filtration system combined with ultraviolet (UV) treatment to support consistent product quality.
Motor City Ice also distributes dry ice and plans to add in-house dry ice manufacturing as part of its future expansion.
By repurposing an existing industrial facility, the company has brought new investment and manufacturing activity to Oak Park while creating employment opportunities for the surrounding community.
Regional Growth Plans
Motor City Ice initially serves Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties, with future expansion plans targeting Grand Rapids and Ohio.
“We’re bringing modern technology to an old-school business without losing the personal service that makes a local, family-owned company special,” added Loussia.
About Motor City Ice
Motor City Ice is a locally owned ice manufacturing and distribution company based in Oak Park, Michigan. Founded by the Loussia, Yaldo, and Kas-Marogi families, the company operates a fully automated, 30,000-square-foot manufacturing facility with a current capacity of 150 tons of ice per day. Its operations combine advanced water filtration, AI-powered distribution technology, and an 11-vehicle delivery fleet.
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SOURCE Motor City Ice; Prime Concepts Detroit
