Rich Products
Encyclopedia
Rich Products Corporation (also known as Rich's) is a privately held, multinational food products corporation headquartered in Buffalo, New York
. The company was founded in 1945 by Robert E. Rich, Sr.
, after his development of a non-dairy whipped topping based on soybean oil
. Since then, the company has expanded its non-dairy frozen food offerings, and also supplies products to retailers, in-store bakeries, and foodservice providers.
Rich’s employs 7,200 associates worldwide, with manufacturing facilities in Brazil, Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States. The company sells more than 2,000 products in 73 countries.
Rich's currently ranks number 161 on Forbes
list of America's Largest Private Companies which is up two spots over the previous year's ranking of 163.
and acquisition of World Catch LLC (all-natural seafood) and GLP Manufacturing (gluten-free baked goods) entered the company into the health and wellness food sector.
In 2005, the company celebrated 60 years as a family-owned company with the “60 Delicious Years” worldwide birthday party on March 14. As part of the celebration, Rich’s renovated lunch and break rooms at all of its manufacturing sites and launched an employee recognition program.
In addition to the Rich’s brand, the company sells products under a number of other brands it has acquired, such as: Mother’s Kitchen; Allen; Rolling Pin Donuts; World Catch; Battistoni; SeaPak; Farm Rich; Casa Di Bertacchi; Byron’s Barbecue; Tiki Bay Beverages; and Jon Donaire.
to the Buffalo Bills
brand new stadium
. From 1973 to 1998 this stadium was known as Rich Stadium.
This is one of the earliest examples of the sale of naming rights in North American sports. However, after the original deal expired in 1998 (Rich chose not to renew at a much higher rate), the stadium was renamed in honor of Bills founder and owner Ralph C. Wilson.
Rich's also owns three minor league baseball
teams, most notably the Buffalo Bisons
, Triple-A International League
affiliate of the New York Mets
.
On November 4, 2010, Bob Rich announced that Rich Products shall be the official kit sponsor of the English Northern League Division One team Bedlington Terriers F.C.
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
. The company was founded in 1945 by Robert E. Rich, Sr.
Robert E. Rich, Sr.
Robert E. Rich Sr. was a food-processing pioneer who, in 1945, invented the first non-dairy whipped topping made from soybeans that could be frozen. He founded Rich Products Corporation which had sales of $2.5 billion on more than 2,300 products in 2005, the year before he died at age 92...
, after his development of a non-dairy whipped topping based on soybean oil
Soybean oil
Soybean oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the seeds of the soybean . It is one of the most widely consumed cooking oils. As a drying oil, processed soybean oil is also used as a base for printing inks and oil paints...
. Since then, the company has expanded its non-dairy frozen food offerings, and also supplies products to retailers, in-store bakeries, and foodservice providers.
Rich’s employs 7,200 associates worldwide, with manufacturing facilities in Brazil, Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States. The company sells more than 2,000 products in 73 countries.
Rich's currently ranks number 161 on Forbes
Forbes
Forbes is an American publishing and media company. Its flagship publication, the Forbes magazine, is published biweekly. Its primary competitors in the national business magazine category are Fortune, which is also published biweekly, and Business Week...
list of America's Largest Private Companies which is up two spots over the previous year's ranking of 163.
1940s
Rich’s began in 1945, when Robert E. Rich, Sr., sought a replacement for dairy-based whip cream due to milk shortages during World War II. Through the use of soybeans, Rich created a cream that was less expensive than dairy-based whipped cream, yet lasted longer in the refrigerator and could “remain frozen for more than a year without degrading.”1950s
In 1954, the company introduced the first commercial line of frozen éclairs and crème puffs, which are still produced today.1960s
During the 1960s, Rich‘s expanded further, introducing CoffeeRich, a non-dairy frozen creamer in 1961. The company also constructed a manufacturing plant in Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada the following year. This facility is now known as Rich Products of Canada, Ltd. The acquisition of Elm Tree Baking Co., in 1969, expanded Rich’s offerings to include frozen baked goods.1970s
The 1970s were also a decade of growth for Rich’s, with the acquisition of nine new production facilities as well as SeaPak, a company based in St. Simons, Georgia, that produces frozen seafood specialties.1980s
In 1980, Rich’s introduced Freeze-Flo, a process that allows foods to remain soft while frozen. The company introduced another product, On Top, a non-dairy dessert topping, in 1986, which was notable for its packaging – a pastry bag with its own tip. Rich’s also expanded its product line through the acquisition of Casa Di Bertacchi, a specialty meat and frozen pasta producer, in 1982, and Byron’s, a barbecue and meat producer, in 1986.1990s
During the 1990s, Rich’s expanded internationally, opening facilities in Mexico, London, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Australia, among others.2000s
Since 2000, Rich’s has acquired a number of companies to diversify its offerings. These include frozen dessert and bakery mix producer JW Allen & Co., Jon Donaire Desserts, and donut producer Rolling Pin Manufacturing. Rich’s integration of French Meadow BakeryFrench Meadow Bakery
French Meadow Bakery is a privately held bakery located in Eagan, Minnesota, USA that produces gluten-free, vegan, yeast-free and kosher parve foods. It is one of the longest running certified organic bakeries in the country...
and acquisition of World Catch LLC (all-natural seafood) and GLP Manufacturing (gluten-free baked goods) entered the company into the health and wellness food sector.
In 2005, the company celebrated 60 years as a family-owned company with the “60 Delicious Years” worldwide birthday party on March 14. As part of the celebration, Rich’s renovated lunch and break rooms at all of its manufacturing sites and launched an employee recognition program.
Product Portfolio
Rich’s offers a diverse body of products, including: Toppings & Icings; Sweet Goods; Finished Desserts; Appetizers; Bread & Rolls; Pizza Products; Italian Specialties; Bar-B-Q; and Shrimp and Seafood.In addition to the Rich’s brand, the company sells products under a number of other brands it has acquired, such as: Mother’s Kitchen; Allen; Rolling Pin Donuts; World Catch; Battistoni; SeaPak; Farm Rich; Casa Di Bertacchi; Byron’s Barbecue; Tiki Bay Beverages; and Jon Donaire.
Sports
In 1972, Rich Products signed a 25-year deal which gave it naming rightsNaming rights
In the private sector, naming rights are a financial transaction whereby a corporation or other entity purchases the right to name a facility, typically for a defined period of time. For properties like a multi-purpose arena, performing arts venue or an athletic field, the term ranges from three...
to the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
brand new stadium
Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
. From 1973 to 1998 this stadium was known as Rich Stadium.
This is one of the earliest examples of the sale of naming rights in North American sports. However, after the original deal expired in 1998 (Rich chose not to renew at a much higher rate), the stadium was renamed in honor of Bills founder and owner Ralph C. Wilson.
Rich's also owns three minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
teams, most notably the Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
, Triple-A International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
affiliate of the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
.
On November 4, 2010, Bob Rich announced that Rich Products shall be the official kit sponsor of the English Northern League Division One team Bedlington Terriers F.C.
Bedlington Terriers F.C.
Bedlington Terriers F.C. are a football club based in Bedlington, England. They were established in 1949 and joined the Northern Alliance in 1980 and joined the Northern League when it expanded to two divisions 3 years later...