Our HistoryMaple Leaf Foods can trace its roots back well over 100 years through the amalgamation of some of Canada’s premier food companies. In 1991 the merger of Maple Leaf Mills Limited and Canada Packers Inc. created the company now known as Maple Leaf Foods Inc., Canada’s largest food processor. Four years later McCain Capital Corporation and the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board acquired controlling interest in the company from Hillsdown Holdings plc and remain controlling shareholders today. Maple Leaf Mills was created in 1961 through the amalgamation of the Maple Leaf Milling Company Limited, Toronto Elevators Limited and Purity Flour Mills Limited. Its origins can be traced back over 170 years to Grantham Mills, built in 1836 in St. Catharines, Ontario. Canada Packers Inc was formed in 1927 in Toronto, Ontario through the amalgamation of the Harris Abbatoir Company, Gunns Limited and the William Davies Company – Canada’s oldest meat packing company founded in the 1860’s. Canada Packers Inc. dominated the meat processing industry and was a leading researcher, processor and marketer of a wide range of meat and agri products in Canada and abroad. Maple Leaf Foods owns 89.8% of the Canada Bread Company, Limited which was founded in 1911 by the amalgamation of five separate companies. In the last 90- plus years Canada Bread has grown to become an important manufacturer of value-added flour-based products including familiar household brands such as Dempster’s and Olivieri fresh pasta and sauces. View Maple Leaf Food’s rich history in a chronological timeline. History Timeline: 2008 Maple Leaf proceeds with double-shift expansion of Brandon pork plant. 2007 Maple Leaf Bakery U.K. expands with acquisitions of La Fornaia Limited, the French Croissant Company and Avance U.K. Limited. Establishment of new culinary centre, ThinkFOOD!, to enhance product development and culinary knowledge is announced. Maple Leaf launches a revolution in food with the launch of Maple Leaf Simply Fresh meals, a new line of refrigerated, never frozen ready meal solutions. 2006 Maple Leaf announces strategic transformation of its protein operations. 2005 Rothsay opens Canada’s first commercial-scale biodiesel operation in Montreal. 2004 Maple Leaf Foods acquires Schneider Foods, one of Canada's largest producers of premium branded quality food products. 2001 Maple Leaf Prime Naturally chicken, a premium line produced from 100% all vegetable grain-fed poultry is introduced. 2000 Dempster’s is the first commercial bakery to switch to a natural whitening process using only 100% unbleached flour in all their white bread products. 1999 Maple Leaf’s pork processing operation in Brandon, Manitoba receives its licence and begins production. Maple Leaf Ready Crisp pre-cooked bacon is launched. 1996 Maple Leaf Bakery U.K. establishes a manufacturing base in Rotherham, England. Purchased Pioneer French Bakery, the leading supplier of partially-baked sourdough breads to the U.S. supermarket industry; Cambridge Frozen Bakery a specialty sourdough business located in New Jersey, and Burns Meats operations in Manitoba. Bella Pasta (Hamilton, Ontario) is acquired and Olivieri fresh pasta and sauce products are made available nationwide. 1995 McCain Capital Corporation and the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board acquire controlling interest in Maple Leaf Foods Inc. from Hillsdown Holdings plc. Maple Leaf Prime poultry is introduced nationwide 1992 Maple Leaf Foods purchases Vancouver Fancy Meats Maple Leaf Foods purchases Shopsy’s processed meats plant in Ontario. 1991 Maple Leaf Foods Inc., Canada’s largest food processor, is created through the merger of Maple Leaf Mills Limited and Canada Packers Inc. 1988 Olivieri Fresh Pasta and Sauces is acquired by Corporate Foods (later Canada Bread) 1961 Maple Leaf Mills is officially formed from the amalgamation of the Maple Leaf Milling Company Limited, Toronto Elevators Limited and Purity Flour Mills Limited. Purity Flour Mills origins trace back to Grantham Mills. 1927 Canada Packers Inc., is formed in Toronto through the amalgamation of the Harris Abbatoir Company, Gunns Limited and the William Davies Company, Canada’s oldest meat packing company founded in the 1860’s. 1911 The Canada Bread Company, Limited is founded with the amalgamation of five separate companies. |
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