Brands that are now part of Kraft Foods International can be traced back more than 230 years to a small
candy shop in England. The story of how we grew to become a worldwide leader in the food industry is one
that includes visionary pioneers, superior products and bold moves that continue today. Our tradition of
excellence and innovation spans two centuries and six continents and will continue into tomorrow.
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1767:
Messrs. Bayldon and Berry began selling candied fruit peel to the citizens of York, England,
joined later by Joseph Terry. The business grew to become Terry's of York, a leading confectionery company that
became part of Kraft Foods International in 1993.
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1825:
Philippe Suchard opens his first confectionery shop in Neuch’tel, Switzerland. |
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1892:
A coffee blend developed for the Maxwell House Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A. soon becomes known as Maxwell House coffee. |
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1895:
In Bremen, Germany, businessman Johann Jacobs establishes Jacobs Kaffee, which will ultimately become one of Europe\'s leading coffee companies. |
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1901:
Suchard introduces the Milka chocolate bar. |
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1903:
James L. Kraft opens a wholesale cheese business in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. By 1914, the company is manufacturing its own cheese. |
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1906:
Kaffee HAG, the world\'s first decaffeinated coffee, is introduced by Dr. Ludwig Roselius, the inventor of decaffeination, in Germany. |
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1923:
Vegemite yeast spread is introduced in Australia by Fred Walker & Co. of Melbourne. |
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1924:
J.L. Kraft opens its first European sales office in London. |
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1927:
Kraft establishes a sales office in Hamburg, Germany. |
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1929:
Post cereals, Maxwell House Coffee, Jell-O gelatin and other famous food brands consolidated under the name General Foods Corporation. |
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1947:
General Foods purchases Alfred Bird and Sons Ltd. to increase production of sits products in England and introduces Maxwell House coffee in the United Kingdom. |
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1960:
Kraft process cheese in slices and Cracker Barrel cheddar cheese are introduced in Australia. |
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1970:
Dong Suh Foods joint venture is formed in Korea. |
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1971:
General Foods acquires Gevalia brand coffee by purchasing Victor Th. Engwall & Co., Sweden\'s largest coffee company. |
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1973:
Ajinomoto General Foods (AGF), joint venture with Ajinomoto, created in Japan. |
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1982:
Jacobs Kaffee merges with Suchard-Tobler (Interfood) to form Jacobs Suchard in Europe. |
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1984:
General Foods establishes joint ventures in People\'s Republic of China to produce Tang powdered beverage and Maxwell House coffee. |
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1985:
General Foods Corporation acquired by Philip Morris Companies Inc. |
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1987:
CÙte d\'Or, a leading Belgian chocolate maker, joins Jacobs Suchard. |
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1988:
Kraft, Inc. becomes a part of Philip Morris Companies, Inc., creating the world\'s largest consumer products company. |
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1989:
The food products division of Philip Morris Companies, Inc. becomes Kraft General Foods. Kraft General Foods International (KGFI) is established. |
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1990:
Kraft General Foods International acquires Jacobs Suchard, making KGFI number one in the European roast and ground coffee market and a leader in confectionery. |
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1992:
Kraft General Foods International acquires Splendid, the second largest Italian coffee manufacturer and El Caserio, a leader in process cheese, in Spain. Kraft General Foods International also makes 14 other acquisitions in 1992. |
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1992-93:
Moving swiftly into the newly opened Central and Eastern European market, Kraft General Foods International acquires five local confectionery companies - Csemege in Hungary, Figaro in Slovakia, Kaunas in Lithuania, Olza in Poland and Republika in Bulgaria. |
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1993:
Kraft General Foods International acquires Freia Marabou, Scandinavia\'s premier confectioner; Terry\'s of York, a major United Kingdom confectioner. |
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1994:
In the United Kingdom, Kraft General Foods International acquires Lyons instant coffee business from Lyons Tetley. Kraft General Foods acquires a majority interest in Poiana, Romania\'s leading confectioner. |
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1994:
Continuing to build its business in Central and Eastern Europe, Kraft General Foods International acquires Ukraina, a leading confectionery company in Ukraine. |
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1995:
Kraft General Foods International is renamed Kraft Foods International. |
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1996:
Strengthening its presence in the growing Latin American chocolate market, Kraft Foods International purchases Lactas in Brazil. |
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1999:
Kraft Foods International acquires Mova, a snacks business in Ukraine. |
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2000:
Kraft Foods International's parent company, Philip Morris, agrees to acquire
Nabisco, a world leader in the food industry. Philip Morris also announces
plans for a Kraft Foods' Initial Public Offering. |
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