COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 422490

Bakery Products Wholesaling

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

16companies1873–1992founding years16still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedHeineken N.V.
1873
FoundedBarilla G. e R. Fratelli S.p.A.
1877
FoundedRoyal Numico N.V.
1896
FoundedAlexander & Baldwin, Inc.FoundedHazlewood Foods plc
1900
FoundedAllen Foods, Inc.
1901
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
FoundedEdeka Zentrale A.G.
1908
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedUniversal Corporation
1918
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
FoundedPizza Inn, Inc.
1961
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedLDB Corporation
1970
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
FoundedOtis Spunkmeyer, Inc.
1977
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedStarbucks Corporation
1985
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
FoundedAtkins Nutritionals, Inc.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
FoundedVermont Pure Holdings, Ltd.
1990
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
FoundedAFC Enterprises, Inc.FoundedOJSC Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods
1992
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Heineken N.V. →
Active · founded 1873 · The Netherlands
1592: An Amsterdam brewery known as De Hooiberg (The Haystack) is established.
Barilla G. e R. Fratelli S.p.A. →
Active · founded 1877 · Italy
One of the world's largest food marketers, Barilla G.
Royal Numico N.V. →
Active · founded 1896 · The Netherlands
Fast-growing Royal Numico N.V.
Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. →
Active · founded 1900
Alexander & Baldwin, Inc., one of the original 'Big Five' Hawaiian companies, is a diversified corporation with…
Hazlewood Foods plc →
Active · founded 1900 · United Kingdom
Hazlewood Foods plc is one of Europe's leading producers of convenience foods, including frozen foods and other…
Allen Foods, Inc. →
Active · founded 1901
In December 2002, Royal Ahold acquired Allen Foods for an undisclosed amount that analysts pegged to be around $100…
Edeka Zentrale A.G. →
Active · founded 1908 · Germany
As a cooperative company, Edeka Zentrale A.G.
Universal Corporation →
Active · founded 1918
Universal Corporation, known until 1987 as Universal Leaf Tobacco Company Inc., operates as the world's largest buyer…
Pizza Inn, Inc. →
Active · founded 1961
With its corporate headquarters located near Dallas, Pizza Inn, Inc.
LDB Corporation →
Active · founded 1970
LDB Corporation, operating out of Kerrville, Texas, is a privately held company that operates through its Mr.
Otis Spunkmeyer, Inc. →
Active · founded 1977
A rising contender in the foodservice industry, Otis Spunkmeyer, Inc.
Starbucks Corporation →
Active · founded 1985
Starbucks Corporation is the leading roaster, retailer, and marketer of specialty coffee in North America.
Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. →
Active · founded 1989
Atkins Nutritionals, Inc.
Vermont Pure Holdings, Ltd. →
Active · founded 1990
Vermont Pure Holdings, Ltd.
AFC Enterprises, Inc. →
Active · founded 1992
AFC Enterprises, Inc., through its ownership of the Popeyes Chicken and Biscuits and Churchs Chicken chains, holds the…
OJSC Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods →
Active · founded 1992 · Russia
Founded shortly after the 1991 breakup of the Soviet Union, OJSC Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods has become a market leader in the…
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