COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 2022

Natural, Processed & Imitation Cheese

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

20companies1918–1986founding years20still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedDarigold, Inc.FoundedDarigold, Inc.
1918
FoundedBongrain SAFoundedBongrain SA
1920
FoundedLand O'Lakes, Inc.FoundedLand O'Lakes, Inc.
1921
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
FoundedSorrento, Inc.FoundedSorrento, Inc.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedBridgford Foods Corporation
1952
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedWisconsin DairiesFoundedWisconsin Dairies
1963
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
FoundedKerry Group plcFoundedKerry Group plc
1974
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedKraft Jacobs Suchard AGFoundedKraft Jacobs Suchard AG
1982
FoundedSuprema Specialties, Inc.FoundedSuprema Specialties, Inc.
1983
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedAlpine Lace Brands, Inc.
1986
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
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.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
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

Darigold, Inc. →
Active · founded 1918
Darigold, Inc.
Darigold, Inc. →
Active · founded 1918
Darigold, Inc.
Bongrain SA →
Active · founded 1920 · France
In France, cheese is spelled with a "B"--for Bongrain, Besnier, and Bel, the country's top three cheese and dairy…
Bongrain SA →
Active · founded 1920 · France
In France, cheese is spelled with a "B"--for Bongrain, Besnier, and Bel, the country's top three cheese and dairy…
Land O'Lakes, Inc. →
Active · founded 1921
Land O'Lakes, Inc.
Land O'Lakes, Inc. →
Active · founded 1921
Land O'Lakes, Inc.
Sorrento, Inc. →
Active · founded 1947
Based in Buffalo, New York, Sorrento, Inc.
Sorrento, Inc. →
Active · founded 1947
Based in Buffalo, New York, Sorrento, Inc.
Bridgford Foods Corporation →
Active · founded 1952
Bridgford Foods Corporation manufactures and distributes frozen, refrigerated, and snack food products for both retail…
Bridgford Foods Corporation →
Active · founded 1952
Bridgford Foods Corporation manufactures and distributes frozen, refrigerated, and snack food products for both retail…
Wisconsin Dairies →
Active · founded 1963
Wisconsin Dairies (WD) is one of the largest dairy cooperatives in the United States, a Fortune 500 company that…
Wisconsin Dairies →
Active · founded 1963
Wisconsin Dairies (WD) is one of the largest dairy cooperatives in the United States, a Fortune 500 company that…
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.
Kraft Jacobs Suchard AG →
Active · founded 1982 · Switzerland
Kraft Jacobs Suchard AG--part of Philip Morris Companies Inc.
Kraft Jacobs Suchard AG →
Active · founded 1982 · Switzerland
Kraft Jacobs Suchard AG--part of Philip Morris Companies Inc.
Suprema Specialties, Inc. →
Active · founded 1983
Suprema Specialties, Inc.
Suprema Specialties, Inc. →
Active · founded 1983
Suprema Specialties, Inc.
Alpine Lace Brands, Inc. →
Active · founded 1986
Alpine Lace Brands, Inc., is a leading manufacturer of reduced-fat and fat-free deli cheeses and meats.
Alpine Lace Brands, Inc. →
Active · founded 1986
Alpine Lace Brands, Inc., is a leading manufacturer of reduced-fat and fat-free deli cheeses and meats.
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