Read about the milestones, landmarks, and notable events that have comprised McCormick history and allowed us to become the world's leading flavor experts.
1953 A scholarship program administered through a trust fund was established for children of McCormick employees. Ben-Hur Products, Inc, a California-based producer of coffee, spices, extracts, tea and desserts, was acquired.
1956 John N. Curlett elected President of McCormick; C. P. McCormick remained Chairman of the Board.
1958 The joint venture, McCormick de Venezuela, C.A. of Caracas, was established. A foil packaged line was introduced, the first step in a convenience food line of fast and flavorful products for homemakers.
1959 Canada's largest spice firm, Gorman Eckert & Co. Ltd., of London, Ontario, founded in 1883, was acquired for $1.27 million. The name later changed to Club House Foods Inc. McCormick, S.A., a wholly owned subsidiary, was founded in Zurich, Switzerland to manufacture spices, extracts, and other food products. A gourmet line of spices was introduced and marketed nationally following year.
1960 McCormick Division was established and organized as a distinct U.S. retail operating unit.
1961 Gilroy Foods, Inc., of Gilroy, Calif., a dehydration plant for garlic, onions and other vegetables, was purchased and became a wholly owned subsidiary. McCormick Foods (U.K.) Ltd. was established in London, England. In Sweden, the spice firm of Köckens Aktiebolag of Ystad was licensed to manufacture, package sell, and distribute the McCormick Gourmet line of spices in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. La Bizkayna, S.A., of Panama City was licensed to produce McCormick salad products and mustard, and to distribute imported McCormick products in Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua. Consolidated sales topped $50 million.
1967 The Schilling Division moved its operations to Salinas, California, a new $8 million 270,000 sq. ft. manufacturing plant on 21 acres. Acquisitions this year included Cake Mate® cake decorating. McCormick formed a joint venture agreement with Lion Dentifrice Company, Ltd., of Tokyo, licensed to manufacture and sell McCormick products in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and parts of the Malay Peninsula. McCormick Properties acquired 280 acres of land in Baltimore County known as Security Industrial Park (in 1979 renamed Rutherford Business Community).
1968 McCormick products were manufactured in El Salvador and distributed throughout the Central American Common Market through a newly formed subsidiary, McCormick de Centro America, S.A. Childers Foods, Inc., of Bedford, Va., was purchased and became a wholly owned subsidiary known as McCormick Foods, Inc., which later became part of Golden West Foods, Inc. The Company purchased Tubed Chemicals Corporation of Easthampton, Mass., a contract food packer and producer of plastic tubes. As a wholly owned subsidiary the name was changed to Tubed Products, Inc.
1969 Harry K. Wells was elected President. John N. Curlett was named Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. Charles P. McCormick retired and became Chairman Emeritus. Consolidated sales surpassed $100 million.
1962 McCormick purchased Baker Extract Co., of Springfield, Mass., an old New England firm. The French firm of Etablissements Maurice Daniel, of Marseilles, France, was licensed to manufacture, package, sell, and distribute Gourmet line throughout France. McCormick added a new dimension through Maryland Properties, Inc.; a real estate partnership established to design, build, and manage the Greater Baltimore Industrial Park, a 435-acre tract of land in Baltimore County, subsequently named Hunt Valley Business Community. In 1973 Maryland Properties became a wholly owned unconsolidated subsidiary: in 1979 renamed McCormick Properties, Inc.
1963 The Industrial Products Division was organized to produce encapsulated flavors, soluble seasonings, and custom flavoring blends for food processors.
1964 McCormick GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary, was established in West Germany to produce, distribute and sell McCormick products throughout the European Common Market. McCormick de Venezuela, C.A., became a wholly owned subsidiary. McGraw-Hill published the Spices Of The World Cookbook by McCormick in hardback.
1966 Sales operations established in Australia. An Employee Stock Purchase Plan was implemented.
