COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 2051

Bread, Cake, and Related Products

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

24companies1892–1997founding years22still active2no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironment
FoundedInternational Multifoods CorporationFoundedInternational Multifoods Corporation
1892
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
FoundedBestfoods
1906
1908
TechnologyThe Ford Model T brings the automobile to the middle class.
1913
EconomyThe Federal Reserve is created.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedSüdzucker AGFoundedSüdzucker AG
1926
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression begins.
1933
EconomyNew Deal reforms reshape banking and industry.
FoundedAssociated British Foods plc
1935
FoundedRoland Murten A.G.FoundedRoland Murten A.G.
1938
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long postwar expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented at Bell Labs.
1956
EconomyThe Interstate Highway program remakes commerce.
FoundedCumberland Farms, Inc.FoundedMcKee Foods CorporationFoundedMcKee Foods Corporation
1957
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedFoodBrands America, Inc.
1964
1970
EnvironmentThe EPA is founded; environmental regulation expands.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; Nasdaq opens.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
FoundedKerry Group plcFoundedKerry Group plc
1974
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins with the Altair.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher.
FoundedIl Fornaio (America) Corporation
1980
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedArk Restaurants Corp.FoundedArk Restaurants Corp.
1983
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall 22% in a single day.
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.
2001
EconomyThe September 11 attacks; a recession follows.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 begin to take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit.
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.
International Multifoods Corporation →
Active · founded 1892
International Multifoods Corporation was once known as one of the "Big Three" in U.S.
Bestfoods →
Defunct · founded 1906
Bestfoods is one of the largest food companies in the United States, with two main businesses: consumer foods and…
Bestfoods →
Defunct · 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…
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…
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…
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.
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…
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.
FoodBrands America, Inc. →
Active · founded 1964
A market leader in the foodservice industry, FoodBrands America, Inc.
Kerry Group plc →
Active · founded 1974 · Ireland
Kerry Group plc is fast becoming one of the world's leading food ingredients suppliers.
Kerry Group plc →
Active · founded 1974 · Ireland
Kerry Group plc is fast becoming one of the world's leading food ingredients suppliers.
Il Fornaio (America) Corporation →
Active · founded 1980
Il Fornaio (America) Corporation owns and operates 17 full-service, upscale Italian restaurants and five wholesale…
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.
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.
Diageo plc →
Active · founded 1997 · United Kingdom
Diageo plc is a world leader in branded food and drinks.
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