Built For All Your Outdoor Needs

Ice melt, pool and garden chemistry from the Milazzo family — made in Jenkins Township, Pennsylvania since 1929.

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Milazzo Industries

1929Family owned since
Made in USAManufactured in Jenkins Township, PA
4thGeneration running the company
By the palletDirect bulk supply for contractors

Since 1929

Four generations of getting through winter.

A produce cart in Browntown became a coal plant, then a hardware store, then a chemical works. Every product we make today came out of a problem someone in this family had to solve.

1929Origin

A horse-drawn buggy in Browntown

Carmen Milazzo begins selling fruits and vegetables from a horse and buggy in the Browntown section of Pittston Township. No plant, no formula — just a route and a family name.

1943Company

The largest hardware store in Pittston

The family opens what becomes the largest hardware store in Pittston — the first time Milazzo is a place people go to rather than a cart that comes to them.

1940s–50sCompany

Coal, and then a chain of stations

Carmen's son Joe starts hauling bagged coal by horse and buggy, opens a coal-bagging plant to keep up with demand, and expands into gas stations across Luzerne County.

1950sChemistry

Instant Light Charcoal

The first Milazzo formula: charcoal that lights without lighter fluid. A coal company teaches itself chemistry, and never stops.

1968Company

Sam Milazzo turns to manufacturing

The third generation moves the business decisively from distribution into making things — the shift that defines everything after it.

1969Chemistry

Qik Joe Ice Melt launches

Sam introduces the product the company is still known for. Named for his father, and still the flagship more than fifty years on.

1972Rebuilt

Agnes takes the valley

Hurricane Agnes devastates the Wyoming Valley, and the Milazzo headquarters with it. The company rebuilds.

1984Rebuilt

Fire, and a year back to full production

A fire destroys manufacturing entirely — a total loss. Milazzo is back at full production inside twelve months.

2011Rebuilt

Tropical Storm Lee

Flooding costs the company millions. Operations are running again within three months.

TodayToday

Jenkins Township, fourth generation

Nadine Milazzo Wesolowski and John Wesolowski lead the company from River Road. Focusing on the needs of today, with an eye on tomorrow.

Compare the formulas

The numbers, side by side.

Ice melt is sold on claims. These are the specifications — the same figures printed on the bag.

Formula Qik Joe Instant From $27.50 Safe Pet Ultra From $29.25 Ultra with CMA $74.50 Rock Salt Blend $23.00 Grip Aid $22.50
Melts to-25°F-5°F-25°F-15°F
Active chemistryCalcium chlorideCalcium chloride with CMARock salt blendNatural traction grit
FormPelletsPelletsGranules
CoverageApprox. 40 sq ft per lb — about 800 sq ft from a 20 lb bagApprox. 40 sq ft per lb — about 800 sq ft from a 20 lb bagApprox. 35 sq ft per lb — about 1,750 sq ft from a 50 lb bagApprox. 20 sq ft per lb — about 200 sq ft from a 10 lb bagApprox. 25 sq ft per lb — spread for traction, not melting
Safe for concreteYesYes
Safe for petsYesYes

Melt temperatures are the figures stated on the packaging. Coverage is an estimate based on standard application rates and will vary with ice depth, surface and how heavily the product is spread.

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