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CommentsGeneral Mills is one of the largest manufacturers of yogurts, breakfast cereals, fruit snacks, baking mixes, frozen food, and other products in over 100 countries. It also supplied branded and unbranded manufactured goods to baking industries around the world. It was named US’ 2nd cereal maker, behind its rival Kellogg.
Established in 1866, the corporation started out as the Minneapolis Mining Company, an organization founded in 1856 by Congressman Robert Smith. The mills ran in the vicinity of the San Antonio Falls of the Mississippi River. Shortly after its founding, Cadwallader Washburn took over the company and invited his brother, William D. Washburn, to assist him in the company’s development.
The Washburn “B” Mill was then established by the brothers themselves in 1866. After eight years, they created a bigger version, the Washburn “A” Mill. Three years later, in 1877, the company entered into an affiliation with John Crosby to develop the new Washburn-Crosby Company. A year after that, the “A” mill reportedly exploded and killed more than 10 employees. The explosion also caused damage to its neighboring buildings. The Washburn “A” Mill was quickly reconstructed and served its purpose for almost 90 years.
The name General Mills came to be in 1928, when then Washburn-Crosby President James Ford Bell wanted to join his company together with 26 other mills.
A trademark of General Mills, particularly the Betty Crocker products, was the box top coupons that they first popularized. With every coupon, the user received a discount for various house wares in Betty Crocker catalogues.
In the midst of the company’s growing reputation as a global consumers’ food corporation, they became endorsers of TV characters such as The Lone Ranger, Rocky & Bullwinkle, and the Pillsbury Doughboy.
In the 1960’s, the company ventured into the toy industry for the first time, purchasing the Rainbow Crafts Co., which tripled their income. In 1971, General Mills started their line of Monster Cereals, with “Count Chocula” and the “Franken Berry” being their first two to come out in the market.
After numerous investments in the food industry, General Mills bought one of its own rivals back in 2001. Pillsbury was a maker of baking goods before being owned by General Mills. They first sold refrigerated biscuits, cookies, dinner rolls, pizza crust and frozen goods in the market.
General Mills began producing whole grain cereals when they started committing to sell only healthy and nutritional products. The company has supported research efforts and fund programs that provide for the health and fitness of its consumers.
General Mills in the news:
- General Mills buying Larabar maker
- Solar Array Ventures and General Mills expand despite recession
- General Mills riding national food trends
Post Author: guest