Excel Bottling Company Edward (Lefty) J. Meier and Catherine Meier founded Excel Bottling Co. in the summer of 1936. Lefty used the reward money that he obtained from catching a bank robber to purchase a used bottling machine. The Excel bottling plant and attached household was originally owned by Catherine's grandmother (Mrs.Goellner).

Excel Bottling Company continues to produce flavored soda using cane sugar, returnable bottles and vintage bottling equipment. The county's favorite soft drink, Ski, was added in 1961. Excel Bottling Company is one of a few remaining "mom and pop" bottlers in the nation and is the only returnable bottling line left in the state of Illinois.

Besides bottling soda, the plant produces syrup for use in fountain equipment.

Edward Meier passed away in 1996, and Catherine Meier, passed away in 2009.

In 2005 additional warehouses and storage buildings were built along with a loading dock. A home on the property was demolished to make room for the additions. Paul Meier and his son Bill, oversee the daily operation of the business.