Read about the milestones, landmarks, and notable events that have comprised McCormick history and allowed us to become the world's leading flavor experts.
1970 Charles P. McCormick died of a heart attack. Food Service Division opened new 35,000 sq. ft. headquarters, manufacturing and warehousing facility in Hunt Valley Business Community. Company launched Adopt-A-School Program with General Henry Lee Junior High School in downtown Baltimore. Harry K. Wells became Chief Executive Officer on December 1 following John N. Curlett's retirement from the Company. Mr. Curlett remained Chairman of the Board.
1971 Hunt Valley Inn, a suburban hotel and convention center subsidiary, opened in Hunt Valley, Md. A joint venture, Botanicus Pte. Ltd., began with Stange Co. for oleoresin production in Singapore. McCormick Division expanded operations by opening its Hunt Valley Plant.
1972 The Company entered a joint venture with Promociones y Commisiones, S.A. of the Republic of Mexico, purchased from the John Kraft Sesame Corporation of Paris, Tex. The venture was renamed Sesame Products, Inc.
1973 Industrial Flavor Group is established to encompass activities of Industrial Flavor Division (formerly Industrial Products Division), Botanicus Pte. Ltd., and Sesame Products, Inc.
1974 Acquired Golden West Foods, Inc., of Gilroy, Calif., to manufacture and distribute frozen food products. The Company entered the frozen foods field under the Schilling label with frozen sour dough breads at the retail level and with food service products.
1975 Acquired All Portions, Inc., for $4.5 million, which manufactures portion-control packets of condiments, with plants in San Fernando, Calif., Indianapolis, Ind., and Atlanta, Ga. The two major retail units of the Company the McCormick Division in the east and the Schilling Division in the West, were consolidated to form a new Grocery Products Division, headquartered in Baltimore. The Management Services Division was established to provide improved information services to all units.
1976 Chicago-based TV Time Foods, Inc., producer of popcorn products, was purchased for $3.75 million as a wholly owned subsidiary.
1977 Harry K. Wells elected Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer. John N. Curlett named Chairman Emeritus. Astro Foods, Inc., of San Rafael, Calif., producer of specialty frozen food products for airlines and restaurants, was purchased for $325,000 as a wholly owned subsidiary.
1979 $3.5 million plant in Bedford, Va., opened for production of frozen onion rings by Golden West Foods. Gilroy Foods dedicated solar energy project to be used for dehydration of onions and garlic. Han-Dee Pak, Inc., a portion-control manufacturer in Atlanta, Ga., was purchased for $6 million and became a subsidiary. Harry K. Wells was elected Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, and Hillsman V. Wilson was elected President and Chief Operating Officer. Sandoz, Ltd., a Swiss pharmaceutical firm, announced its intentions to buy the entire company in October 1979.