Vlasic Pickles
 | |
| Founded | 1942 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Frank Vlasic |
| Headquarters | Parsippany, New Jersey(Produced in Imlay City, Michigan) , |
| Products | Pickled cucumbers |
| Owner | Conagra Brands[1] |
| Website | vlasic |
Vlasicis an American brand ofpicklesthat is currently owned byConagra Brands.Since its introduction in 1942, it has become one of the most popular pickle brands in the United States.
History
[edit]Franjo "Frank" Vlašić, aBosnian Croat,emigrated fromLivno,Bosnia and Herzegovina,at the time part ofAustria-Hungary,toDetroit, Michiganin 1912 and started a smallcreamerywith savings from his factory job. His son Joseph acquired amilk routein 1922, which eventually grew into the state's largest dairy distributor.[2]In 1937, Vlasic was approached to distribute a home-style pickle, later marketing their fresh-packed pickle in glass jars.[3]Its first plant was built inImlay City, Michigan.The business rapidly expanded in thepost-war years,corresponding with growth in per capita pickle consumption.[4]
A child-bearingstorkwas introduced as a mascot in 1974, merging the stork babymythologywith the notion that pregnant women have an above average appetite for pickles. Vlasic marketed themselves as "the pickle pregnant women crave...after all, who's a better pickle expert?" The modern Vlasic Stork speaks in a style reminiscent ofGroucho Marxand holds a pickle like a cigar. The original voice wasRon Masak,since replaced byDoug Preis.
Vlasic Pickles was sold toCampbell Soup Companyin 1978.[5]It was spun off toVlasic Foods Internationalon March 30, 1998.[6][7]
On April 13, 1999, the company introduced the Vlasic Hamburger Stackers, made from naturally grown but specially cultivated cucumbers sixteen inches (41 cm) long and over three inches (7.6 cm) in diameter, which enabled a single pickle chip to cover an entire hamburger.[8]
In early 2001, the company voluntarily filed forChapter 11bankruptcyand its pickle and barbecue sauce units were initially planned to be sold toH. J. Heinz.[7]By April of 2001, the company had backed out of the deal and was looking into other offers.[9]
Vlasic is owned byPinnacle Foods,a subsidiary ofConagra Brands,since its name change in 2001.[10]The Vlasic Stork was shown in "Icons", aMasterCardcommercial duringSuper Bowl XXXIXin 2005 where he and many other famous advertising icons from food and cleaning equipment are shown having dinner together.[11]
On April 10, 2019 at theConagra BrandsInvestor Day event, Tom McGough, Conagra Co-Chief Operating Officer, announced that Vlasic Pickle Chips, made from vacuum-fried pickles, were in development.[12]
Thecucumbersused in Vlasic pickles are grown in Michigan, including the cities ofMount PleasantandKalamazoo,and processed at its plant in Imlay City, Michigan.[13]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^Hindshaw, Ivan (June 1, 2011)."Robert Gamgort, CEO, Pinnacle Foods".Bain & Company.RetrievedFebruary 21,2015.
- ^Uyterhoeven, Hugo E. R. (1973).Strategy and organization: Text and cases in general management.R. D. Irwin,ISBN9780256014488
- ^Vlasic Pickle website
- ^Vlasic - Brand HistoryPinnacle Food Group LLC. Retrieved on 9-06-10.
- ^Vlasic's Holders Clear Concern's Acquisition By Campbell Soup Co.
- ^Elliott, Stuart (May 30, 2007)."Pink or Blue? These Bundles of Joy Are Always Green".New York Times.Retrieved2009-02-22.
- ^ab"Bankruptcy filed by Vlasic; pickle, sauce units sold".Toledo Blade.(Ohio). Associated press. January 30, 2001. p. B9.
- ^Vlasic Unveils World's Largest Pickle
- ^admin (2001-04-05)."USA: Vlasic - ends sale to Heinz - COMMENT".Just Food.Retrieved2023-01-25.
- ^Pinnacle Foods official site
- ^MasterCard website
- ^Pickle Chip News
- ^Made in Michigan: VlasicWJRT-TV, April 24, 2013[dead link]