COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 5182

Wines--Wholesale

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

10companies1919–1993founding years10still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironment
FoundedBacardi LimitedFoundedBacardi Limited
1919
FoundedThe Seagram Company Ltd.FoundedThe Seagram Company Ltd.
1928
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression begins.
1933
EconomyNew Deal reforms reshape banking and industry.
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.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedTodhunter International, Inc.FoundedTodhunter International, 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.
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.
FoundedJardine Matheson Holdings LimitedFoundedJardine Matheson Holdings Limited
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.
FoundedPriceCostco, Inc.FoundedPriceCostco, Inc.
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

Bacardi Limited →
Active · founded 1919 · Bermuda
Just say "Bacardi" and several images immediately spring to mind: Daiquiris and Rum & Cokes, tropical breezes, palm…
Bacardi Limited →
Active · founded 1919 · Bermuda
Just say "Bacardi" and several images immediately spring to mind: Daiquiris and Rum & Cokes, tropical breezes, palm…
The Seagram Company Ltd. →
Active · founded 1928 · Canada
The Seagram Company Ltd., which is 32-percent owned by the Bronfman family, is a major international liquor giant…
The Seagram Company Ltd. →
Active · founded 1928 · Canada
The Seagram Company Ltd., which is 32-percent owned by the Bronfman family, is a major international liquor giant…
Todhunter International, Inc. →
Active · founded 1964
Todhunter International, Inc.
Todhunter International, Inc. →
Active · founded 1964
Todhunter International, Inc.
Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited →
Active · founded 1984 · Bermuda
Jardine Matheson is one of the oldest names in East Asia, and Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited is an international…
Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited →
Active · founded 1984 · Bermuda
Jardine Matheson is one of the oldest names in East Asia, and Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited is an international…
PriceCostco, Inc. →
Active · founded 1993
The merger of The Price Company and Costco Wholesale Corporation in 1993 created the nation's second largest membership…
PriceCostco, Inc. →
Active · founded 1993
The merger of The Price Company and Costco Wholesale Corporation in 1993 created the nation's second largest membership…
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