business history: a history of heinz

Nur Suhaili Ramli

University of York, UK

Business History: A History of Heinz

Heinz was founded by Henry John Heinz in 1869 in Sharpsburg, Pennsylvania.

The founder was child of immigrants of German descent. The company was bankrupted in 1875 but founded

another company on the following year.The company continue to grow in 1888.First product was tomato ketchup.Existing brand for three centuries, 19th Century, 20th

Century, and 21st Century Brands that survive during important world events e.g.

Long Depression, World War, Industrial Revolution, etc.

Heinz in brief history

Heinz advertisement in the 19th century

1869

Henry John Heinz and L. Clarence Noble launch Heinz & Noble; Mr. Heinz serves as CEO. Their first product is horseradish. Mr. Heinz (H.J. Heinz Co.)

1876

Introduces the first commercial-grade ketchup in U.S.

1900

H.J. Heinz Company is incorporated in Pennsylvania. Capping and packaging in the Heinz factory around 1901. (Fotosearch/Getty Images)

1931

Howard Heinz, the founder’s son, adds ready-to-eat soups and baby foods during the Depression.

Nov.27, 1946

Jack Heinz II, founder’s grandson, takes company public on New York Stock Exchange. Heinz's Pittsburgh plant in 1937. (Associated Press)

1963

Buys tuna producer StarKist Foods.

1965

Buys frozen-potato company Ore-Idea Foods.

1966

First non-family member named CEO.

1968

Heinz introduces the first individual foil ketchup packet. Heinz ketchup packets at a fast-food restaurant in Omaha, Neb., 2006. (Nati Harnik/Associated Press)

1972

Annual sales reach $1 billion.

1978

Buys Weight Watchers.

1979

Anthony O’Reilly is named CEO and pushes global growth.

1983

Heinz introduces the first squeezable plastic bottle for ketchup.

1998

Current CEO William Johnson takes over for O’Reilly, as the company’s sixth CEO.

July 1999

Sells Weight Watchers classroom business but keeps the frozen-food line.

September 1999

Brief merger talks with Bestfoods go nowhere.

2002

Sells its tuna, pet food and baby-food businesses to Del Monte, reducing revenue by 20%.

September 2006

After a six-month proxy battle, investor Nelson Peltz wins two seats on Heinz’s board. The former Heinz factory -- now loft apartments -- in Pittsburgh's North Side in February 2013. (Jason Cohn/Reuters)

Feb. 14, 2013

Heinz agrees to $28 billion takeover by Berkshire Hathaway and 3G Capital.

The Wall Street JournalHeinzhttp://online.wsj.com/article/

SB10001424127887324162304578304400698917858.html

References