Hormel Foods

Hormel Foods Corporation is an American multinational food-processing company headquartered in Austin, Minnesota. Founded in 1891 by George A. Hormel, the business began as a small meat-packing operation and initially concentrated on ham, sausage and other pork, poultry, beef and lamb products. It gradually developed a national distribution network and became known for combining meat processing with branded, packaged products that could be stored and transported reliably. The company’s most important early product innovations included canned ham, canned chicken, Hormel Chili and SPAM. Introduced in 1937, SPAM became one of the company’s defining international brands and remains central to its identity. Hormel expanded production during the Second World War, when a substantial share of its output was purchased by the United States government. The company also developed employee profit-sharing and philanthropic institutions, including the Hormel Foundation and the Hormel Institute at the University of Minnesota. From the 1960s onward, Hormel broadened its portfolio beyond traditional shelf-stable pork. Its products came to include bacon, sausages, hams, refrigerated foods, frozen meals, poultry, deli meats, Mexican foods, peanut butter, nuts and foodservice products. The acquisition of Jennie-O Foods in 1986 and the later combination of Jennie-O with Turkey Store established a major poultry platform. Other notable additions included Skippy, Justin’s, Applegate, Columbus Craft Meats and Planters. Through MegaMex Foods, a joint venture with Herdez del Fuerte, Hormel also participates in the United States market for Mexican sauces, guacamole and prepared foods. Hormel operates through a portfolio strategy rather than relying solely on the Hormel name. Its brands include SPAM, Hormel, Jennie-O, Planters, Skippy, Applegate, Columbus Craft Meats, Dinty Moore, Chi-Chi’s, Herdez-related offerings and Wholly Guacamole. The company sells through retail, foodservice and international channels, with products available in more than 80 countries. Its business has faced the same pressures affecting large food manufacturers, including commodity-cost volatility, labor disputes, animal-welfare scrutiny, changing consumer preferences and pandemic-related plant disruptions. The company became Hormel Foods Corporation in 1993. It remains publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol HRL. Its present positioning combines large-scale food manufacturing and distribution with recognizable consumer brands, convenience products and selected premium or natural-food offerings. The portfolio spans shelf-stable, refrigerated and frozen categories, allowing Hormel to serve household, institutional and restaurant customers in domestic and international markets.

George A. Hormel established his own meat-packing operation in Austin, Minnesota, in 1891 after working in slaughtering and trading hides, wool, eggs and poultry. The company expanded beyond its local base during the early twentieth century, opening distribution centers in several American cities. It introduced dry sausages in 1915 and used national magazine advertising to build recognition for its products. A major organizational crisis occurred in the early 1920s when an assistant controller was found to have embezzled a large amount of company money over a period of years. George Hormel’s son, Jay, returned from military service during this period and helped professionalize financial controls and management. The company continued to emphasize product development, introducing canned ham in 1926 and canned chicken in 1928. Hormel Chili appeared in 1936 and SPAM followed in 1937. SPAM’s shelf stability made it particularly useful during wartime and helped turn it into an enduring international brand. In 1933, Hormel workers conducted a successful sit-down strike, one of the notable labor actions in American meatpacking history. In 1938, Jay Hormel introduced a profit-sharing plan for employees. During the Second World War, government purchasing accounted for a large portion of Hormel production. George Hormel died in 1946. The postwar company expanded its packaged-meat range with products such as Little Sizzlers sausages and Cure 81 ham. It also developed advertising campaigns and became an early meatpacker to receive recognition from the American Humane Society for pre-slaughter animal stunning. In the 1980s, Hormel broadened into microwavable and refrigerated foods, introduced products such as microwave bacon and Sloppy Joe sauce, and acquired or licensed several consumer brands. The 1985 Austin strike was a defining labor controversy. Workers opposed a proposed wage reduction after years of wage restraint and concerns about workplace conditions. The strike lasted ten months, divided the labor movement and prompted a widely publicized boycott. Hormel nevertheless continued to diversify, acquiring Jennie-O Foods in 1986 and adding other poultry and prepared-food businesses. The corporate name changed to Hormel Foods Corporation in 1993. During the 2000s, Hormel opened the SPAM Museum, combined Jennie-O with Turkey Store, began formal corporate-responsibility reporting and created MegaMex Foods with Herdez del Fuerte. The company also faced scrutiny over animal welfare in supplier and processing operations. In response to investigations, it required additional training, oversight and auditing, and in some cases suspended purchases. Since 2010, Hormel has pursued portfolio expansion through acquisitions and divestitures. It acquired Skippy, Applegate, Justin’s, Columbus Manufacturing and Planters, while selling Clougherty Packing. It also introduced clinical-nutrition products through Hormel Health Labs and vegetarian products under Happy Little Plants. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted several facilities in 2020, while the company continued consumer engagement through digital campaigns and charitable promotions. Hormel today operates as a diversified branded-food manufacturer with retail, foodservice and international businesses.

1. 2021Planters is acquired

   Hormel acquired Planters and related nut businesses from Kraft Heinz.

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2. 2015Applegate is acquired

   Hormel expanded into natural and organic meat products through the purchase of Applegate Farms.

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3. 2013Skippy is acquired

   Hormel bought the Skippy peanut-butter business from Unilever.

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4. 2009MegaMex Foods is formed

   Hormel and Herdez del Fuerte created a joint venture for Mexican-style foods in the United States.

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5. 2001SPAM Museum opens

   Hormel opened the SPAM Museum in Austin, Minnesota.

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6. 1993Corporate name changes to Hormel Foods Corporation

   The company adopted its current corporate name.

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7. 1986Jennie-O Foods is acquired

   The acquisition expanded Hormel’s poultry and turkey business.

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8. 1937SPAM is introduced

   Hormel launched SPAM, which later became its best-known international brand.

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9. 1936Hormel Chili launches

   The company entered the canned chili category with Hormel Chili.

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10. 1926Flavor-Sealed Ham launches

    Hormel introduced what the reference describes as America’s first canned ham.

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11. 1903Dairy Brand is introduced

    The Dairy Brand name began appearing on company products.

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12. 1891George A. Hormel establishes the company

    George A. Hormel founded his meat-packing business in Austin, Minnesota.

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A broad, branded food portfolio spanning mainstream convenience foods, processed meats, poultry, deli products, shelf-stable meals and selected premium, natural and international categories.

• SPAMCanned meat1937

  SPAM is Hormel’s shelf-stable canned luncheon-meat brand, introduced in 1937. Its portability and long storage life supported widespread use during wartime and helped it develop a strong presence in markets beyond the United States. The brand is sold in multiple varieties and is used in sandwiches, rice dishes and other prepared meals.

• Hormel BaconProcessed meat

  Hormel’s bacon range is part of its core refrigerated and processed-meat business. It includes packaged bacon products sold through retail and foodservice channels, supported by the wider Hormel brand portfolio.

• Hormel ChiliCanned prepared foods1936

  Introduced in the 1930s, Hormel Chili is a shelf-stable prepared-food line combining chili with meat and related ingredients. It became one of the company’s established convenience-food offerings.

• Jennie-OTurkey and poultry

  Jennie-O is Hormel’s principal turkey brand. Its products include ground turkey, turkey sausages, deli items, burgers, whole birds and other fresh or prepared turkey products for retail and foodservice customers.

• PlantersNuts and snacks1906

  Planters is a major nut and snack brand acquired by Hormel in 2021. Its portfolio includes peanuts, mixed nuts and other packaged nut products, giving Hormel a significant position in shelf-stable snacking.

• SkippyPeanut butter1933

  Skippy is a peanut-butter brand acquired by Hormel from Unilever in 2013. It has a substantial presence in the United States and China and expanded Hormel’s consumer-food portfolio into spreads.

• ApplegateNatural and organic meat1987

  Applegate offers natural and organic meat products, including deli meats, poultry, sausages and related refrigerated foods. Hormel acquired the business to strengthen its position in segments emphasizing ingredient standards and differentiated sourcing.

• Columbus Craft MeatsDeli meats

  Columbus Craft Meats is a deli-meat business known for premium-style salami, charcuterie and other specialty refrigerated products. Hormel acquired Columbus Manufacturing in 2017.

• Happy Little PlantsPlant-based foods2019

  Happy Little Plants was introduced in 2019 as a vegetarian meat-alternative line for retail and foodservice customers, reflecting Hormel’s response to interest in plant-based eating.

• Hormel Vital CuisineClinical nutrition2015

  Hormel Vital Cuisine was developed through Hormel Health Labs for people with cancer-related nutritional needs. The range included ready-to-eat meals, nutrition shakes and whey-protein products intended for home delivery.

• 2020World’s largest virtual pizza party

  United States · Online

  Hormel hosted a Zoom-based pizza event during the pandemic. More than 3,000 people participated and 907 qualifying photographs were submitted for the record attempt.

  Outcome. Created a digital brand-engagement event during the pandemic.

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• 1985Hormel consumer boycott

  United States

  During the Austin labor dispute, unions and supporters organized a widely publicized boycott of Hormel products. The campaign became one of the most visible consumer responses to a meatpacking strike in the 1980s.

  Outcome. Generated national attention during the ten-month strike.

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• 1930George Burns and Gracie Allen radio advertising

  United States

  Hormel products were promoted through advertising associated with The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, helping connect the company’s packaged foods with mass-audience radio entertainment.

  Outcome. Expanded national brand visibility.

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• 2021Acquire PlantersM&A

  Hormel sought to expand its shelf-stable snack and nut businesses.

  What changed. Hormel acquired Planters and related nut businesses from Kraft Heinz.

  Aftermath. The acquisition substantially increased Hormel’s presence in packaged nuts and snacks.

  Purchase price. 3.35 billion USD (2021)

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• 2015Acquire Applegate FarmsM&A

  Consumer demand for natural and organic meat products was increasing.

  What changed. Hormel announced the acquisition of Applegate Farms.

  Aftermath. The transaction broadened Hormel’s presence in differentiated meat categories.

  Purchase price. Approximately 775 million USD (2015)

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• 2013Acquire SkippyM&A

  Hormel pursued growth in branded spreads and international consumer foods.

  What changed. Hormel acquired Skippy from Unilever, including production facilities in the United States and China.

  Aftermath. Skippy added a significant peanut-butter business to Hormel’s portfolio.

  Purchase price. 700 million USD (2013)

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• 2009Form MegaMex FoodsM&A

  Hormel wanted a stronger position in Mexican-style foods in the United States.

  What changed. Hormel formed a joint venture with Herdez del Fuerte to manufacture, market and distribute Mexican foods.

  Aftermath. The venture expanded through brands and acquisitions including Don Miguel, Fresherized Foods and Wholly Guacamole.

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• 1986Acquire Jennie-O FoodsM&A

  Hormel sought to expand beyond traditional pork products and strengthen its poultry platform.

  What changed. Hormel acquired Jennie-O Foods and later combined it with Turkey Store.

  Aftermath. Jennie-O became a major Hormel turkey and poultry business.

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• 2017Animal-welfare allegations involving a pork supplierControversy

  Mercy For Animals released footage alleging painful procedures without anesthetic and inadequate care at a Hormel supplier. Hormel temporarily suspended purchases from the supplier.

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• 2015Animal-welfare allegations at a processing facilityControversy

  An undercover investigation alleged mistreatment and poor conditions involving pigs at a Quality Pork Processors facility. Hormel announced additional humane-handling officers, training, oversight and third-party auditing.

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• 2008Animal-abuse allegations at an Iowa supplier farmControversy

  PETA released video alleging abuse of pigs at an Iowa factory farm connected to Hormel’s supply chain. Several workers were fired and six people faced charges, while Hormel described the conduct as unacceptable.

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• 1985Austin labor strike and boycottControversy

  Hormel workers struck over a proposed wage reduction and workplace concerns. The dispute lasted about ten months and divided the union movement while prompting a national consumer boycott.

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• 1921Embezzlement by an assistant controllerControversy

  An assistant controller was found to have embezzled approximately $1.187 million over a decade. The episode encouraged the Hormel family to strengthen financial controls and professionalize management.

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• 2021Hormel acquires Planters and related nut businesses from Kraft Heinz

  Hormel purchased Planters and Kraft Heinz’s other nut businesses for $3.35 billion, substantially expanding its snack and nut portfolio.

  M&A
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• 2020Hormel closes or temporarily shuts plants during COVID-19 outbreaks

  Several facilities were closed or temporarily shut after workers tested positive for COVID-19, including operations in Illinois, Kansas, Texas and Minnesota.

  RegulationOther
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• 2017Hormel announces acquisition of Columbus Manufacturing

  The company announced an approximately $850 million acquisition of the deli-meat producer and its Columbus brand.

  M&A
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• 2016Hormel acquires Justin’s

  Hormel purchased the nut-butter producer Justin’s for $280 million, broadening its portfolio beyond meat and prepared foods.

  M&A
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• 2015Hormel announces acquisition of Applegate Farms

  The approximately $775 million transaction expanded Hormel’s presence in natural and organic meat products.

  M&A
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• 2013Hormel agrees to acquire Skippy from Unilever

  Hormel announced the purchase of the Skippy peanut-butter business, including American and Chinese production facilities, for $700 million.

  M&A
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• 2009Hormel creates MegaMex Foods with Herdez del Fuerte

  The joint venture was established to manufacture, market and distribute Mexican-style foods in the United States.

  M&A
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1. Hormel Foods
2. Hormel Foods Corporation official website