doc-cargill-history-timeline

Cargill Timeline 

1865 – Present 

1865 

William Wallace Cargill leaves the family home in Janesville, Wisconsin and becomes the proprietor of a 

grain flat house in Conover, Iowa. The flat house, a type of warehouse that preceded country elevators, was 

at the end of the McGregor & Western Railroad line. 

1867 

In 1867, W. W. Cargill is joined by two of his younger brothers, Sam and Sylvester, in Lime Springs, Iowa, 

where the business constructs a grain flat house and opens a lumberyard. 

1868 

W. W. Cargill marries Ellen Stowell in Ossian, Iowa, and moves to Austin, Minnesota, where he builds his 

first Minnesota flat house. W. W. acquires storehouses to take advantage of the great post-war agricultural 

and railroad expansion throughout the plains. 

1870 

W. W. Cargill's business is headquartered in Albert Lea, Minnesota, to take advantage of the expansion of 

the Southern Minnesota Railroad. About this time W.W.'s brother, Sylvester S. Cargill, becomes 

independent, eventually establishing the Victoria Elevator Company in Minneapolis. 

1875 

W. W. Cargill moves his family and headquarters to La Crosse, Wisconsin. The city is a logical choice 

because it is the point at which the Milwaukee Railroad and the Southern Minnesota Railroad connect. 

James F., one W. W. Cargill's younger brothers, joins the family business. 

1878 

The Milwaukee Railroad expands the Southern Minnesota Division westward towards the border. Cargill 

follows this growth, and experiments with vertical integration by establishing a 5,760-acre farm near 

Sherburn, Minnesota. Known as "The Mule Farm," it loses money. 

1880 

W. W. Cargill invests in two Minnesota flour mills at Houston and Hokah. W.W. builds his first terminal 

elevator, an elevator at the head of a railroad line, in LaCrosse. 

1881 

W. W. Cargill begins to build a family mansion in La Crosse, Wisconsin. It becomes a showplace in the 

town, and was built across the street from Duncan McMillan's home, setting the stage for the joining of the 

two families. 

© 2011 Cargill, Incorporated. Page 1 of 16

1884 

John H. MacMillan, 15 years old, goes to work in his father's bank in La Crosse, Wisconsin. W. W. Cargill 

& Bro. in La Crosse is formally separated from Minnesota and the Dakotas by the establishment of Cargill 

Brothers in Minneapolis. 

1885 

The three Cargill brothers own or control 102 structures in Minnesota and the Dakotas (and smaller 

holdings in Iowa and Wisconsin) with a total grain capacity of over 1.6 million bushels. By this time, 

Minneapolis and Duluth are identified as prominent grain centers. 

1887 

W. W. Cargill forms the Sault Ste. Marie Land Company to take advantage of the growth expected after the 

Soo Line railroad connected the lock area with Minneapolis. Sam Cargill leaves La Crosse to manage the 

Minneapolis, Minnesota office. 

1890 

The Minneapolis operation, under the direction of Sam Cargill, drops the "Cargill Bros." name and 

incorporates under Cargill Elevator Co. 

1891 

Three MacMillan brothers, John H., William D., and Daniel D. move to Fort Worth, Texas, to set up a 

grain business under the name D. D. McMillan & Sons. 

1892 

W. W. Cargill & Bro. incorporates as W. W. Cargill Company of La Crosse, Wisconsin. Sam Cargill 

opens an office in Duluth, Minnesota, and the Cargill Commission Company is formed to trade grain in 

Duluth. 

1893 

The Superior Terminal Elevator Company, a subsidiary of the Minneapolis Cargill Elevator Company, is 

established by W. W. and Sam Cargill and Fred Lindahl. A 2.3-million-bushel elevator is constructed at 

Superior, Wisconsin. 

1895 

John H. MacMillan and Edna Clara Cargill marry in La Crosse, Wisconsin, formally joining the two 

families. Their first son, John, Jr., is born in December. 

1898 

John H. MacMillan, Sr., and Daniel D. MacMillan return from Texas, and begin to work for W. W. Cargill. 


1899 

Deaths of three officers of Sawyer and Austin Lumber Company motivates the takeover of management by 

W. W. Cargill, an investor, and the naming of John H. MacMillan, Sr., as the lumber company's general 

manager with offices in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. 

1903 

Sam D. Cargill dies, creating a void in leadership. John H. MacMillan, Sr., moves to Minneapolis from 

Arkansas to become general manager. W. W. Cargill becomes the sole owner of the La Crosse business 

after Sam's death. 

1904 

W. W. Cargill suffers a mild stroke and his eldest son, William S. becomes more involved in the La Crosse 

business. John H. MacMillan, Sr., now head of the Cargill Elevator Company, purchases the Thorpe 

Elevator Company, which includes over 50 elevators mostly located in the Red River Valley. 

1905 

Elevator T is acquired as result of a dispute with Spencer Grain. This insignificant Minneapolis storage 

facility will grow into a major Midwest terminal elevator. W. W. invests in and completes the La Crosse 

and Southeastern Railroad from Viroqua to La Crosse, Wisconsin. 

1908 

William S. Cargill is in Montana organizing a development effort that ultimately will involve ranching, 

land development, the development of the Montana Western Railway, a dam, and the creation of the town 

of Valier. The project is not profitable and begins to stress the finances of the La Crosse grain business. 

1909 

W. W. Cargill dies at age 64, precipitating a fiscal crisis for the company. John H. MacMillan, Sr., now 

president of the Cargill Elevator Company, works to reassure creditors. 

1911 

A portion of the assets of Sawyer and Austin Lumber Company is sold to raise funds. The mineral rights to 

the Arkansas land are retained, and eventually leased to American Bauxite Company, generating much 

needed cash through 1922. 

1912 

Cargill Securities Company is established to take over the indebtedness of the Cargill estate. To pay off 

creditors, $2.55 million in Gold Notes is issued, due in 1917, backed by Cargill Elevator stock. The 

Terminal Elevator Company, formed in 1904 is renamed the Minneapolis Seed Company. 


1913 

The La Crosse office is closed. Austen Cargill, W.W.’s youngest son joins the company. After marrying 

Anne Ray in La Crosse, he heads to Green Bay, largely working for the Seed Department. 

1914 

Cargill's Green Bay office is moved to Milwaukee, under the direction of Edward J. Grimes, who now 

oversees Austen Cargill. The company purchases elevator "M" from the Peavey Company at Superior, 

Wisconsin. The Wisconsin line of elevators is later sold except for the Green Bay elevator. 

1915 

With war in Europe, grain prices fluctuate wildly, and Cargill Elevator posts a good year. This 

considerably aids the company's goal to repay its debt. The fourth annual picnic, now a Cargill Elevator 

tradition, is held outside Minneapolis. 

1917 

John H. MacMillan, Jr., and Austen Cargill serve in the armed forces in France. MacMillan was promoted 

to major in October. Cargill posts record profits and grain exchanges are criticized for the high price of 

wheat arising from wartime demand. 

1918 

The number of Cargill country elevators drops to 140 (compared to 189 in 1910-11). The greatest number 

was in North Dakota; Wisconsin had one leased elevator in Green Bay. Cargill MacMillan attends Yale, 

and is quarantined during the influenza pandemic. 

1919 

Major John MacMillan, Jr., returns to civilian life and begins work for the Cargill Elevator Company, first 

on the Minneapolis trading floor and then in Duluth, Minnesota, under Fred Lindahl. The company 

produces its first publication, the Cargill Chaff. 

1921 

The financial crash in late 1920 results in Cargill Elevator's first annual loss in its history. Austen Cargill, 

John MacMillan, Jr., and Cargill MacMillan spend time in British Columbia attending to the lumber 

operations of the company. 

1922 

Julius Hendel joins the Cargill organization and takes charge of the newly established grain laboratory in 

Minneapolis. The grain lab will become one of the most respected private laboratories in the country. 

Hendel's laboratory study on flour appears the following year in the Northwestern Miller. 


1923 

Cargill purchases Milwaukee-based Taylor & Bournique Company, an eastern grain-merchandising firm 

with offices in Wisconsin and New York. The acquisition's private wire system is adopted by Cargill; it is a 

communications innovation gives the company a significant competitive advantage. 

1926 

A fire in British Columbia destroys the logging camp. Austen Cargill returns to Minneapolis and becomes 

head of the Cargill Commission Department, focusing his attention on the management of the company's 

country elevators. 

1927 

Cargill leases the 1.5 million bushel Superior elevator in Buffalo, New York and another elevator at Port 

McNicoll, Ontario, beginning its reach eastward. John MacMillan, Jr., marries Marion Dickson. 

1928 

Cargill Grain Company Ltd. is organized in Canada with an office in Montreal. It is the company's first 

office location outside of the United States. 

1929 

Cargill organizes its first export department and starts selling grains "FOB" (free-on-board), in which 

financing, carrying and shipping charges are a part of the selling price. A sales office is opened in Genoa, 

Italy. John MacMillan, Jr., becomes a vice president. 

1930 

New offices open in Winnipeg, Canada; Rotterdam, Holland; and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Cargill, 

Incorporated is created. Cargill's revolutionary new elevator in Omaha, Nebraska, is built in a record 55 

days. The Cargill News begins publication. 

1931 

Julius Hendel holds the second year of his training class, this time aimed at those trainees holding particular 

promise. It becomes an important training ground for new Cargill talent. The Itasca Corporation is created 

to purchase the Itasca elevator in Superior, Wisconsin. 

1932 

In response to economic conditions, Cargill implements an across-the-board pay cut of 20-percent on May 

1. Some offices are closed and workers are laid off. John H. MacMillan, Sr., suffers a heart attack and must 

restrict his work. His son, John, Jr., becomes general manager of all Cargill operations. Cargill completes a 

new 13.5 million bushel elevator in Albany, New York. 


1933 

Cargill staves off a credit crunch by forming a syndicate, developed with help from Chase's John G. 

Peterson (who later joins Cargill). Austen Cargill forwards a plan to avoid foreclosing on independent 

country elevators, which instead become part of Cargill Leased Line Department. 

1934 

Cargill adopts a retirement program for employees, considered one of the best in the industry. John 

MacMillan, Jr., sends James Ringwald sent to head Cargill's new office in Buenos Aires, with instructions 

to decline to do any business "by bribery or any other irregular means." Cargill’s petition for membership 

in Chicago Board of Trade is denied. 

1935 

After government officials overturned a Chicago Board of Trade membership rule, Cargill is accepted as a 

member. The company solidified its standing in the area by assuming the lease of the large C&NW 

elevator in Chicago. Cargo Carriers, formed in 1930, purchases its first ships, the 248-foot Mayan and the 

tugboat, Protector. 

1936 

Various Cargill businesses are merged to become Cargill, Incorporated. John MacMillan, Sr., while 

retaining his status as chairman of the board, steps down from presidency, which is assumed by John 

MacMillan, Jr. Cargill purchases the Great Eastern Elevator in Buffalo, New York. 

1938 

A contentious dispute between Cargill and the Chicago Board of Trade over futures contracts comes to a 

head. Accusations against the company lead to a bar on futures trading by Cargill Grain Company and three 

of its officers. 

1939 

Promoted by Austen Cargill, the company begins to manufacture Blue Square Feed in Lennox, South 

Dakota. This operation was later integrated into Nutrena. 

1940 

Cargill closes offices in Copenhagen and Rotterdam as Germany invades Europe. Cargill begins work on 

the ocean-going Carlantic to take advantage of wartime shipping needs. It employs construction methods 

so unorthodox that Cargill must build the ship itself. The Carlantic is sold to Argentina and renamed the 

Victoria. 


1942 

Cargill contracts with the U.S. Navy to build six ocean-going tankers and establishes Port Cargill on the 

Minnesota River as the construction site. John MacMillan, Jr., and Cargill Macmillan acquire the 

Minnesota Western Railway for this port. 

1943 

Cargill enters the soybean processing business with the acquisition of plants at Cedar Rapids and Fort 

Dodge, Iowa, and Springfield, Illinois. The company looks to the southeast part of the United States by 

purchasing elevators in Tennessee and constructing more barges. 

1944 

A private residence west of Minneapolis is purchased as Cargill's new executive headquarters and is soon 

known as the "Lake Office." John MacMillan, Sr., dies at age 75. 

1945 

Cargill receives the Army-Navy "E" Award for shipbuilding. The company produces barges for 

transporting grain on the Mississippi River. Nutrena Feed Mills, a pioneer in the feed industry, is purchased 

by Cargill. 

1947 

Cargill’s offices in Argentina and Brazil are reopened after World War II, and Cargill begins its hybrid 

seed business in Argentina. 

1949 

Cargill Agricola e Comercial, S.A. opens two elevators in Arapongas and Ourinhos, Brazil. John H. 

MacMillan, Jr. appears on the cover of Business Week. 

1951 

Cargill's Feed Division (Nutrena Mills, Incorporated) merges with the Royal Feed & Milling Co. of 

Memphis, Tennessee, manufacturers of Staf-O-Life feeds for livestock and poultry. 

1952 

Cargill launches the Carpolis, an integrated towboat and barge that includes innovative Cargill-designed 

features. 

1953 

Tradax, Belgique, S.A. is organized in Antwerp, marking the formation of Tradax in Europe and 

representing Cargill's international interests. 


1954 

Cargill enters the salt business by barging Louisiana rock salt up the Mississippi River for sale in the Upper 

Midwest. 

1956 

Cargill dedicates its new Research Center to Austen Cargill. The building, constructed near the Lake 

Office, houses the company's newly organized research and development operation. Tradax Internacional, 

S.A. establishes it headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. 

1957 

John H. MacMillan Jr. becomes chairman of the board and Cargill MacMillan, president. Cargill installs 

its first electronic computer, an IBM 6560, in the Minneapolis office. Nutrena employs the computer to 

formulate feed and pricing. Austen Cargill passes away. 

1958 

Cargill introduces hybrid grain sorghum seed to Argentina. The Cargill Research Farm is established in 

Elk River, Minnesota. 

1960 

John Macmillan, Jr., dies suddenly. Erwin Kelm becomes the first Cargill president who is not part of the 

Cargill or MacMillan families. Terry Morrison is named chairman until the following year, when Kelm is 

elected to the post. 

1961 

Cargill purchases the Belle Isle mine to supply its own source of salt. 

1963 

Pesquera del Fin S. A. and Bolicheros Unidos S. A. are set up to produce fish meal in Peru, marking 

Cargill's first presence in that country. Fish meal is a rich source of protein and amino acids for use in 

poultry and livestock feed. 

1964 

Cargill enters the European feed market with the purchase of the Hens Voeders Co. 

1965 

Cargill celebrates its 100th anniversary. Cargill forms Cargill Agricola S.A. in Brazil. 


1966 

Cargill enters the broiler-chicken industry by acquiring the Paramount Poultry brand. A new Cargill logo, 

in the shape of a “C” is adopted. It is Cargill’s first effort at a standard corporate branding system. Bob 

Diercks authors a series of articles on corporate policies and ethics for employees. 

1967 

Cargill enters the corn wet milling industry in a mill purchased at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Gibson City, 

Illinois is the site of the first unit train, an efficient method developed by Cargill of hauling grain at a lower 

cost. 

1968 

Cargill Korea Company, Ltd. is formed as a joint venture to produce feed, eggs and poultry. 

1969 

The Cargill-Taiwan Corporation is formed in a joint venture with the Taiwan Sugar Corp. to produce 

livestock and poultry feed. 

1971 

The acquisition of the Gordy Salt Company, Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, puts Cargill in the evaporated salt 

business. 

1972 

The company enters the modern flour milling business by acquiring Burrus Mills, Saginaw, Texas. W. W. 

Cargill was a very small flour producer in the late 1800s. 

1973 

In the United States, Cargill forms Cargill Leasing Corporation and acquires the Barton Salt Company. 

1974 

The Poultry Products Division expands by acquiring Ralston Purina's Honeysuckle White, Riverside and 

Medallion brands. 

The acquisition of North Star Steel Company takes Cargill into the steel-making industry. 

Cargill purchases Caprock Industries, a cattle feedlot business. 

1975 

Cotton merchandising begins with the acquisition of Hohenberg Bros. Company, located in Memphis, 

Tennessee. 


1977 

Whitney MacMillan, son of Cargill MacMillan, Sr., is elected chairman. 

The Cargill Citrus Department imports the first bulk shipment of Brazilian frozen concentrated orange juice 

into the United States. 

Cargill completes the largest Gulf Coast grain-export elevator at Reserve, Louisiana. 

Cargill begins corn wet milling in Europe with the start-up of a plant in Bergen Op Zoom, Holland. 

1978 

The acquisition of Leslie Salt gives Cargill solar salt facilities in the San Francisco Bay area and Port 

Hedland, Australia. 

1979 

Cargill acquires MBPXL Corporation, Wichita, Kansas, and enters the beef-processing industry. 

Cargill enters the malting business with the acquisition of the Laurent malt plant in France. 

1980 

Cargill enters the coffee-trading business by acquiring Scholtz & Company, New York. 

1981 

The acquisition of Ralli Bros. and Coney and associated trading companies from Bowater Corp., London, 

makes Cargill a leading international cotton, rubber, wool and fiber trader. Company fiber trading and 

processing locations now include Kenya, Pakistan, Nigeria, Tanzania, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, 

Peru, France and West Germany. 

1982 

MBPXL's name is changed to Excel Corporation. 

1985 

Cargill acquires 80 percent of Gardinier, Incorporated, a Florida-based phosphate-fertilizer mining and 

manufacturing company. 

1986 

Northeast Petroleum, a Chelsea, Massachusetts, petroleum-products merchandising and distributing 

company, is acquired. 


1987 

General Cocoa Company Holland B.V. and Gerkens Cocoa Products, Inc. join Cargill, making it a leading 

international cocoa processor and supplier. 

Excel enters the pork-processing industry by acquiring a plant from Oscar Mayer Foods in Beardstown, 

Illinois, and leasing the Hormel pork-processing plant in Ottumwa, Iowa. 

1988 

Shandong-Cargill Ltd., a $10-million joint venture with the People's Republic of China, begins construction 

of a cottonseed-crushing facility in Shandong Province. 

1990 

Cargill Limited announces plans for a joint venture with the Provincial Government of Saskatchewan to 

form Saskferco Products, Incorporated, and build a $500-million nitrogen fertilizer plant. Cargill 

celebrates its 125 th anniversary. 

1994 

Cargill acquires InterMountain Canola, a breeder of specialty varieties of canola seed that produce 

healthier, high quality stability oils. 

Goertzen seed is acquired, adding to Cargill's ability to produce specialty wheat and other food grains. 

1995 

Cargill purchases 19 Bunge grain elevators located in Kansas, Colorado, South Dakota and Minnesota and 

Bunge's export grain elevator at Portland, Oregon. Cargill also swaps its river elevator at Osceola, 

Arkansas, for Bunge's river elevator at Price's Landing, Missouri. 

Cargill sells its U.S. broiler operations to Tyson Foods and acquires Tyson's pork producing facility in 

Marshall, Missouri. 

Cargill adopts a set of seven Guiding Principles for employees that reaffirms and updates the original Code 

of Business Conduct. 

Whitney MacMillan retires after more than 44 years of service at Cargill, including 18 years as chairman 

and chief executive officer. The Board of Directors elects Ernest S. Micek as chief executive officer. 

1997 

Cargill acquires the North American salt production, processing and marketing assets of Akzo Salt, Inc., 

making Cargill one of the largest salt production and marketing companies in the world. 

Excel completes the installation of steam pasteurization in its seven beef plants in the United States and 

Canada. The process greatly reduces the risk of pathogens like E. Coli O157:H7. 


1998 

Warren R. Staley is elected president. 

Cargill finishes an innovative ship unloading facility outside Rozy, India. 

Cargill's Memphis corn wet milling plant launches the first barge designed specifically to carry high 

fructose corn syrup and other liquid sweeteners. The barge, with its six stainless steel tanks, is one of a fleet 

of 14 that allows the Memphis plant to ship sweeteners on the Mississippi River at freight rates 

considerably lower than those for rail shipment. 

Cargill and Continental Grain Company announce Cargill will acquire Continental's worldwide commodity 

marketing business. The transaction includes Continental's grain storage, transportation, export and trading 

operations in North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia. 

1999 

The University of Minnesota receives $10 million from Cargill to expand the university’s work in the 

emerging field of microbial and plant genomics. 

Cargill launches Strategic Intent, which involves positioning the company so that “by the year 2010, Cargill 

will be the recognized global leader in providing agrifood chain customers with solutions that enable them 

to succeed in their businesses.” 

Warren R. Staley is elected chief executive officer. 

2000 

Cargill Dow Polymers LLC announces plans to build a world-scale facility in Blair, Nebraska, that will use 

corn-derived dextrose to make polylactide (PLA) polymers for fibers, plastic packaging and other products. 

President Clinton presents the 1999 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award to Cargill's Sunny Fresh 

Foods. 

Gregory Page becomes president. Warren Staley is elected chair of the board of directors. 

McDonald’s honors Sun Valley Thailand with its Sweeney Quality Award, first Asian recipient of the 

award. 

The hybrid seed business in North America is acquired by Mycogen Seeds. 

2001 

Cargill acquires the turkey business of Rocco Enterprises. 

Excel Corporation acquires Emmpak Foods Inc., a Milwaukee-based producer of value-added meat 

products. 


Ocean Transportation exits fully from vessel ownership to concentrate on freight chartering and trading. 

Toshoku, Japanese agrifood trading company, becomes affiliated with Cargill. 

Cargill completes the acquisition of Agribrands International, a leading international producer and marketer 

of a broad line of animal feeds and other agricultural and nutrition products. 

Recipient of the Award for Excellence in Corporate Community Service from the Points of Light 

Foundation. 

2002 

Cargill adopts a new brand strategy, and retires the Cargill “C.” 

Cargill is given permission to complete the purchase of Cerestar, Europe’s premier maker of specialty 

starches and sweeteners, representing Cargill’s largest transaction in its 137-year history. 

Excel completes acquisition of Taylor Packing, a U.S. producer of premium wholesale beef products. 

Cargill-Dow’s new world-scale polymer production facility commences operation in Blair, Nebraska. 

2003 

Cargill’s earnings passes $US 1 billion for the first time in its history. 

Cargill adds to its chocolate portfolio with the acquisition of Peter’s Chocolate, a brand dating from the 

1880s, and OCG Cacao, a European maker of industrial chocolate 

Cargill’s global giving exceeds $US 22 million. 

2004 

Cargill Fertilizer and IMC Global combine to form a publicly traded firm, The Mosaic Company. 

Cargill acquires The Duckworth Group, a UK-based flavor house. 

Cargill Animal Nutrition has a presence of 163 plants in 22 countries. 

Cargill announces an agreement to acquire Seara Alimentos, a major Brazilian poultry and pork producer. 

2005 

Black River Asset management, a global asset management company, is launched. 

Cargill and Temasek Holdings acquire CDC Group plc’s palm plantation interests in Indonesia and Papua 

New Guinea. 

Cargill opens its first office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. 


Sunny Fresh Foods wins the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. 

Cargill expands in cocoa with two new cocoa buying stations in Vietnam, and the acquisition of the 

industrial chocolate facility, Schierstedter Schokoladefabrik GmbH & Co. KG, in eastern 

Germany. 

2006 

Cargill acquires Degussa’s food ingredients operations, strengthening Cargill’s global portfolio of texturant 

ingredients and systems, emulsifiers, flavouring and health promoting ingredients. 

Cargill Animal Nutrition acquires a majority interest in its first feed business in India. The joint venture is 

with Matrix Bioscience, an Indian company producing veterinary medicines and shrimp feed. 

Cargill enters the global glycerin business, a byproduct of biodiesel production, opening a 30-millionpounds-per-year 

glycerin refinery in Iowa Falls, Iowa. 

Cargill is the first U.S. exporter to deliver beef to Japan after Japan lifts its ban on U.S. beef. 

Cargill buys Afgri’s cotton ginning business in southern Africa, doubling its cotton volume in Africa. 

Cargill takes ownership of gins in Zambia, South Africa, and Malawi. 

2007 

Cargill purchases LNB International Feed B.V., a privately held animal nutrition premix business. 

Cargill opens a grain and oilseed trading office in Sofia. The office is the company’s first in Bulgaria and 

will provide further opportunities for Bulgarian farmers. 

The board of directors elects Gregory Page, chairman of the board and chief executive officer, following 

Warren Staley’s retirement. 

Cargill revises its Strategic Intent so that “by 2015, Cargill will be the partner of choice, recognized as 

having great people with imagination committed to delivering the best ideas to the worlds we serve: 

ag, food and risk management.” 

Toshoku Limited and Cargill Japan Limited merge. Toshoku changes its company name to Cargill Japan 

Limited and the new entity becomes a wholly owned Cargill company. 

2008 

Cargill unveils a comprehensive process strategy for the corporation known as “Tartan.” The mission of 

Tartan is to develop the common processes that would enable Cargill to achieve its strategy for 2015. 

Cargill introduces TRUVIA brand (pronounced Tru-VEE-a) natural sweetener, a great-tasting, zerocalorie 

sweetener made from rebiana, the best-tasting part of the stevia leaf. 


Cargill inaugurates a new cocoa processing facility in Tema, Ghana, representing an investment of around 

U.S. $100 million. The plant has the capacity to transform 65,000 tonnes of cocoa beans per annum into 

high quality cocoa liquor, butter and powders for customers globally. 

Cargill Corn Milling receives the 2008 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. 

Cargill China earns the U.S. State Department's Award for Corporate Excellence. The State Department 

was particularly impressed by the farmer training program of Cargill Animal Nutrition. More than 2 million 

Chinese farmers have gone through the free education program. 

2009 

Cargill announces that its first palm plantation - PT. Hindoli in Sumatra - has received the Roundtable on 

Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) Certification. 

Cargill announces that it has begun implementing a third-party, 24/7 video auditing program at its U.S. beef 

harvesting plants to further enhance the company's animal welfare protection systems. 

Cargill Animal Nutrition opens a new aquaculture feed mill in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap, 

Vietnam. 

Cargill becomes the first Western company to wholly own a port in China when Grain & Oilseed Supply 

Chain (GOSC), Greater China & Korea complete negotiations to acquire Yangjiang Port in southern China. 

McDonald’s recognizes Cargill as the first recipient of the Jim Cantalupo Global Supplier Award of 

Excellence. 

2010 

CTP Holdings, a Cargill majority owned company, sells its interest in oil palm plantations it owned and 

operated in Papua New Guinea to New Britain Palm Oil. 

Cargill's Cocoa & Chocolate business hands over the first UTZ Certified premiums to two farmer 

cooperatives in Côte d'Ivoire, Co-operative Agricole de Fiedifoue and Coopaga, for deliveries of UTZ 

Certified sustainable cocoa beans. 

Cargill's refined oils business becomes the first company to receive official certification for its sustainable 

palm oil supply chain according to the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) 

standards. 

Cargill acquires Unilever's tomato products business in Brazil. 

Smallholders at Cargill's oil palm plantation, PT Hindoli, are awarded their Roundtable on Sustainable 

Palm Oil (RSPO) certification during the 8th Annual Roundtable Meeting on Sustainable Palm Oil in 

Jakarta on November 8-11, 2010. This is the world's first smallholder scheme to become certified under the 

RSPO's Smallholder Principles & Criteria. 


2011 

The Mosaic Company and Cargill agree to split-off, and Cargill distributes its 64 percent stake, or 286 

million share position, in Mosaic to Cargill's shareholders and debt holders. 

Cargill opens one of the food industry’s most advanced technology and innovation centers in Campinas, 

state of São Paulo, Brazil. 

In fiscal 2011, Cargill makes key acquisitions to support its growth: AWB commodity management 

business in Australia; Indonesian starch and sweetener maker in PT Sorini; and Royal Nedalco’s potable 

alcohol operations in Europe. 

History resources 

• Wayne G. Broehl, Jr. Cargill: Trading the World’s Grain 

(Hanover, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 1992). 

• Wayne G. Broehl, Jr. Cargill: Going Global 


• Wayne G. Broehl, Jr. Cargill: From Commodities to Customers 


• W. Duncan MacMillan. MacMillan: The American Grain Family 

(Afton, Minnesota: Afton Historical Society Press, 1998). 

• John L. Work. Cargill Beginnings … an Account of Early Years 

(Minneapolis: Cargill, 1965). [out of print] 

• The History of Cargill, Incorporated 1865-1945 

(Minneapolis: Cargill, 1945) [out of print]

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