D.D. Williamson
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food and beverage color additives |
| Founded | 1865 in New York, United States |
| Founder | Douw Ditmars Williamson |
| Fate | Acquired by Givaudan (2021) |
| Headquarters | Louisville, Kentucky , United States |
Area served | Worldwide (100 countries) |
| Products | Caramel color, burnt sugar, natural color additives |
DDW, The Color House (D.D. Williamson) was a privately owned multinational company focused on producing caramel color, burnt sugar, and natural color additives for the food and beverage sectors. In 2021, it became part of Givaudan. The firm was founded in 1865 by Dutch immigrant Douw Ditmars Williamson in New York, originally manufacturing burnt sugars intended for the brewing industry. After the era of Prohibition and the Great Depression, DDW broadened its product range to include coloring agents for cola beverages and a variety of food products.
With its main office located in Louisville, Kentucky, DDW maintained nine production facilities spread over five continents, catering to clients in 100 countries worldwide. The company's initial overseas plant was opened in Little Island, Cork. In 2013, DDW expanded its offerings by acquiring DuPont's Danisco natural color division, which added yellow, orange, and brown shades to its product lineup.
The Louisville manufacturing site suffered two major accidents: an explosion in April 2003 caused one worker's death and released 26,000 pounds of aqua ammonia; a subsequent blast in November 2024 led to two fatalities and caused widespread damage.