Based in Ohio, J. M. Smucker Company is the largest manufacturer and distributor of jellies, preserves and jams in the U.S. The company also produces fruit drinks, ice cream toppings, and peanut butter.
History
The founder of J. M. Smucker Company, Jerome Monroe Smucker was born and raised in an agricultural community in Orville, Ohio. At the time, his family owned 4 farms and 1 creamery that manufactured butter. In order to run his family business successfully, he attended a 2 year business course. Smucker joined the business in 1897, which eventually led to the formation of J. M. Smucker Company. In the early 1900s, the business was expanded to other parts of the country. He also purchased a cider mill, and started making apple cider and apple butter. Smucker applied a new method to produce apple butter which gave it a unique flavor.
Smucker’s son, Willard also started helping him by distributing the products on a wagon. By 1915, the sales of the company reached $60,000. In 1921, the product line included jellies and preserves. By 1928, the company expanded its business to Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana. It also survived the Great Depression. After the depression, it opened a new manufacturing plant in Washington. This enabled the company to distribute its products nationally. Although it suffered great losses during the Second World War, it endured the hardships. In 1947, Smucker’s celebrated its 50th anniversary.
During the 1960s, sales peaked to $11.4 million. The company always emphasized high quality of the products which played a major part in its growth. Goober Jelly, a combination of grape jelly and peanut butter, became one of the most successful products of the company. During the mid-1960s, it acquired H. W. Madison Co. and Wooster Preserving Company. By 1980, annual sales reached $145.8 million.
The 1980s saw the acquisition of Magic Shell Ice Cream brand of Foremost McKesson, Knudsen & Sons, Inc., Elsenham Quality Foods, Ltd., and Henry Jones Foods. During the 1990s, the company continued prospered with annual sales reaching $491 million. In 2002 Smucker’s acquired the Crisco and Jif brands from Proctor & Gamble.
Stats
Company headquarters: Strawberry Lane, Orrville, OH, USA
Ownership: Public
Annual revenue: $511.5 million
Number of employees: 2,600
Geography: USA, Canada, Australia and United Kingdom
Demography: Natural and Organic
Banners
The Dickinson Family, Inc.
Smucker Australia, Inc.
Juice Creations Co.
After the Fall Products, Inc.
Knudsen & Sons, Inc.
Santa Cruz Natural Incorporated
JMS Specialty Foods, Inc.
Brands
Crisco
Adams & Laura Scudder’s
Dickinson’s
Eagle Brand
Hungry Jack
Folgers
Golden Temple
Jif
Mary Ellen
Martha White
Milnot
Kava
Millstone
Knott’s Berry Farm
PET
None Such
Red River
Pillsbury
White Lily
Smucker’s
Important Links
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Online Shopping
Products
Jobs and Careers
Contact Information
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