Edward Roviaro, owner
Swanel Beverage Inc.
Family, Changing Generations at Foundation of Full-Service Beverage Company
Over three generations, family-owned Swanel Beverage has developed from its inception as a fountain syrup manufacturer to more with the addition of concentrated juices, energy drinks and servicing beverage dispensing equipment.
“There is a sense of responsibility that comes with being a third-generation family business. You want to respect what the generations before you built, but you also have to keep changing and improving so the company remains successful for the next generation,” Ed said. 
“That combination – respecting our history while continuing to evolve – has been a big part of Swanel’s success.”
Based in Hammond, Swanel was started in 1941 by Ed’s father, Albert Roviaro. Ed’s childhood was centered around the business as he joined Albert on deliveries, service calls and installations, learning aspects of the business from a young age.
“What started as a small operation bottling seltzer for taverns on the South Side of Chicago and in the Roseland area has grown quite a bit over the years,” Ed said. “Today, we manufacture fountain syrups, juices and energy drinks, including products under our own labels as well as private-label products for other companies throughout the U.S., Caribbean and Central America.
“We also provide and service beverage dispensing equipment, fountain systems, ice machines, bulk CO2 systems, nitrogen generators and beverage gases.”
Ed became the sole owner of Swanel in 2012. The Roviaro siblings, along with Ed’s wife, Liliana, all continue to work and are actively involved in the company.
“Even though the business has grown and changed considerably, our focus has always remained pretty simple: take care of our customers, provide good service and stand behind what we sell,” Ed said. “One of the things we’re most proud of is that each generation has brought something different to Swanel. The business Albert operated in 1941 looks very different from the company we have today; but the values behind it are still very much the same.”
With Ed and Lil’s three sons, EJ, Philip and Steven, all working at the company, a third generation is making its mark.
“Being family-owned has allowed us to take a long-term approach to the business. We aren’t making decisions based only on what happens this quarter or this year,” Ed said. “We think about our employees, our customers, our reputation and what kind of company we want Swanel to be years from now.
“It also allows us to be very hands-on. If there is a problem, our customers can reach people who actually have the authority to solve it. Over the years, we’ve built relationships with customers, employees, and suppliers that have lasted decades.”
Ed enjoys seeing Swanel grow and tackling and solving the variety of issues that pop up owning a business.
“The most rewarding part at this stage is seeing our sons involved in the business and watching the next generation put their own ideas into Swanel,” he said. “Knowing that something Albert Roviaro helped build 85 years ago is still growing today.”