COMPANYHISTORIES
NAIC 311613

Rendering and Meat Byproduct Processing

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

4companies1943–1974founding years3still active1no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedGriffin Industries, Inc.
1943
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
FoundedUnigate PLC
1959
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedFresh Foods, Inc.
1970
FoundedCranswick plc
1974
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
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
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
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

Griffin Industries, Inc. →
Defunct · founded 1943
Privately held and family run, Griffin Industries, Inc., is the second largest independent rendering company in the…
Unigate PLC →
Active · founded 1959 · United Kingdom
Unigate PLC is a leading European fresh foods, dairy, and distribution company.
Fresh Foods, Inc. →
Active · founded 1970
North Carolina-based Fresh Foods, Inc., formerly known as WSMP, Inc., is a holding company for a variety of food…
Cranswick plc →
Active · founded 1974 · United Kingdom
England's Cranswick plc has transformed itself from a regional pork and pig feed producer into a diversified company…
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