COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 2041

Flour and Other Grain Mill Products

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

20companies1892–1971founding years18still active2no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironment
FoundedInternational Multifoods CorporationFoundedInternational Multifoods Corporation
1892
FoundedNabisco Foods GroupFoundedNabisco Foods Group
1898
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
FoundedBestfoodsFoundedBestfoods
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.
FoundedGrist Mill CompanyFoundedGrist Mill Company
1917
FoundedConAgra, Inc.
1919
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression begins.
FoundedCargill Inc.FoundedCargill Inc.
1930
1933
EconomyNew Deal reforms reshape banking and industry.
FoundedAssociated British Foods plcFoundedAssociated British Foods plc
1935
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.
FoundedBouygues S.A.FoundedBouygues S.A.
1952
1956
EconomyThe Interstate Highway program remakes commerce.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedMurphy Family Farms Inc.FoundedMurphy Family Farms Inc.
1969
1970
EnvironmentThe EPA is founded; environmental regulation expands.
FoundedFisher Companies, Inc.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; Nasdaq opens.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins with the Altair.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
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.
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.
Nabisco Foods Group →
Active · founded 1898
For nearly a century, Nabisco has been one of the most widely recognized names in the American food industry.
Nabisco Foods Group →
Active · founded 1898
For nearly a century, Nabisco has been one of the most widely recognized names in the American food industry.
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…
Grist Mill Company →
Active · founded 1917
Minnesota-based Grist Mill Company manufactures cereal, cereal snacks, and confectionery products, such as ready-to-eat…
Grist Mill Company →
Active · founded 1917
Minnesota-based Grist Mill Company manufactures cereal, cereal snacks, and confectionery products, such as ready-to-eat…
ConAgra, Inc. →
Active · founded 1919
In 1919 Alva Kinney brought four grain milling companies in south central Nebraska together to take advantage of…
ConAgra, Inc. →
Active · founded 1919
In 1919 Alva Kinney brought four grain milling companies in south central Nebraska together to take advantage of…
Cargill Inc. →
Active · founded 1930
Cargill Inc.
Cargill Inc. →
Active · founded 1930
Cargill Inc.
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…
Bouygues S.A. →
Active · founded 1952 · France
Bouygues S.A.
Bouygues S.A. →
Active · founded 1952 · France
Bouygues S.A.
Murphy Family Farms Inc. →
Active · founded 1969
The largest swine production company in the United States, Murphy Family Farms Inc.
Murphy Family Farms Inc. →
Active · founded 1969
The largest swine production company in the United States, Murphy Family Farms Inc.
Fisher Companies, Inc. →
Active · founded 1971
The owner of an unusual combination of businesses, Fisher Companies Inc.
Fisher Companies, Inc. →
Active · founded 1971
The owner of an unusual combination of businesses, Fisher Companies Inc.
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