Ralcorp
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food manufacturing |
| Founded | 1994 (as Ralston Foods) |
| Headquarters | St. Louis, Missouri , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Breakfast cereals, cookies, crackers, chocolate, snack foods, mayonnaise, pasta, peanut butter |
Number of employees | 9000+ |
Ralcorp Holdings is an American food manufacturer producing a range of items such as breakfast cereals, cookies, crackers, chocolate, snack foods, mayonnaise, pasta, and peanut butter. The company’s headquarters are located in the Bank of America Plaza in downtown St. Louis, Missouri. Ralcorp primarily focuses on private-label and store-brand products. Employing more than 9,000 individuals, the firm operates within the food manufacturing sector, catering to grocery stores, mass merchandisers, drugstores, and foodservice clients.
History and description
The origins of Ralcorp trace back to its roots as part of Ralston Purina, a name historically associated with human food products like soda crackers and farina cereal. The company’s beginnings date to 1898 when William H. Danforth of Purina Mills, initially an animal feed producer, ventured into breakfast cereal production. He collaborated with Webster Edgerly (known as Dr. Ralston), founder of the Ralstonism philosophy, which significantly contributed to the brand’s growth. By 1902, Purina Mills had adopted the name Ralston Purina. The company was also responsible for popular cereals such as Chex and Cookie Crisp.
In 1994, the human food operations were separated into Ralcorp Holdings under the name Ralston Foods. This entity divested its branded cereal lines to General Mills and sold its Continental Baking division—including brands like Wonder Bread and Twinkies—to Interstate Bakeries. Meanwhile, pet food activities continued under Nestlé Purina PetCare, and livestock feed remained with Purina Mills, LLC, a subsidiary of Land O'Lakes. Subsequently, Ralcorp concentrated on producing private-label food products for major U.S. grocery retailers. In 2007, the company announced plans to acquire the Post Cereals portfolio from Kraft Foods, marking its return to branded cereals; this transaction was completed in August 2008. Another prominent product under Ralcorp’s portfolio is the Ry-Krisp crispbread brand.
Acquisition by ConAgra
In 2011, Ralcorp declined a takeover offer from ConAgra Foods and revealed intentions to spin off its Post Foods division. This separation was finalized in 2012. Later that year, on November 27, ConAgra declared its plan to purchase Ralcorp for roughly $4.95 billion, proposing $90 per share to shareholders. The acquisition was completed in January 2013, positioning ConAgra as the United States’ largest manufacturer of private-label packaged foods.
Acquisition by TreeHouse Foods, Inc
On February 1, 2016, TreeHouse Foods finalized the purchase of ConAgra Foods' private label operations for $2.7 billion in cash, along with associated transaction costs. This transaction was funded through $775 million in senior notes maturing in 2024 with a 6.0% interest rate, combined with the issuance of 13.3 million shares priced at $65 each, generating roughly $862.5 million. The balance of the payment was covered via the company’s revolving credit facility. This acquisition came after speculation in October 2015 and marked a substantial decrease from the $5.1 billion ConAgra had paid for Ralcorp just two years prior.
Acquisition by Post Holdings
On June 1, 2021, Post Holdings purchased TreeHouse Foods' ready-to-eat ("RTE") cereal division for $85 million, thereby broadening its range within the breakfast foods market.
Subsidiaries
- American Italian Pasta Company (acquired in 2010)
- Ralcorp Frozen Bakery Products
- Bakery Chef (acquisition completed in 2003)
- Cottage Bakery (acquired in 2006)
- Earl of Sandwich frozen breads
- Krusteaz frozen products (obtained through Bakery Chef acquisition in 1999)
- Lofthouse Foods (acquired in 2002)
- Panne Provincio
- Ralcorp Snacks, Sauces and Spreads
- Bremner Food Group (acquired in 1978)
- Carriage House Companies (established in 2000)
- Ralston Foods
- Bloomfield Bakers/Lovin Oven LLC (acquired in 2009)
See also
- List of food companies