COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 2051

Bread & Bakery Products, Except Cookies & Crackers

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

14companies1892–1997founding years14still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedInternational Multifoods Corporation
1892
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
FoundedBestfoods
1906
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedSüdzucker AG
1926
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
FoundedAssociated British Foods plc
1935
FoundedRoland Murten A.G.
1938
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedCumberland Farms, Inc.FoundedMcKee Foods Corporation
1957
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedFoodBrands America, Inc.
1964
FoundedGrupo Industrial Bimbo
1965
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
FoundedKerry Group plc
1974
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
FoundedMrs. Fields' Original Cookies, Inc.
1977
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
FoundedIl Fornaio (America) Corporation
1980
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedArk Restaurants Corp.
1983
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
FoundedDiageo plc
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

International Multifoods Corporation →
Active · founded 1892
International Multifoods Corporation was once known as one of the "Big Three" in U.S.
Bestfoods →
Active · founded 1906
Bestfoods is one of the largest food companies in the United States, with two main businesses: consumer foods and…
Südzucker AG →
Active · founded 1926 · Germany
Südzucker AG is the largest sugar producer in the European Union (EU) with an annual production of three million metric…
Associated British Foods plc →
Active · founded 1935 · United Kingdom
With high-ranking positions in several categories of foodstuffs, Associated British Foods plc (ABF) stands as one of…
Roland Murten A.G. →
Active · founded 1938 · Switzerland
As the manufacturer of Zwieback and brand name pains croustillants, Roland Murten is a household name throughout…
Cumberland Farms, Inc. →
Active · founded 1957
Founded in 1938 as a one-cow dairy farm, Cumberland Farms, Inc.
McKee Foods Corporation →
Active · founded 1957
Family-owned and operated, McKee Foods Corporation is the David to such Goliaths as Nabisco Brands, Lance, and…
FoodBrands America, Inc. →
Active · founded 1964
A market leader in the foodservice industry, FoodBrands America, Inc.
Grupo Industrial Bimbo →
Active · founded 1965 · Mexico
Mexico's biggest baker and food company, Grupo Industrial Bimbo, is a Mexican multinational conglomerate that derives…
Kerry Group plc →
Active · founded 1974 · Ireland
Kerry Group plc is fast becoming one of the world's leading food ingredients suppliers.
Mrs. Fields' Original Cookies, Inc. →
Active · founded 1977
Mrs.
Il Fornaio (America) Corporation →
Active · founded 1980
Il Fornaio (America) Corporation owns and operates 17 full-service, upscale Italian restaurants and five wholesale…
Ark Restaurants Corp. →
Active · founded 1983
Ark Restaurants Corp.
Diageo plc →
Active · founded 1997 · United Kingdom
Diageo plc is a world leader in branded food and drinks.
Build It Today

Starting a bread & bakery products, except cookies & crackers company now

Each week we rebuild one of these stories for today's tools and capital.