|
|
|
| HISTORY : Decades of Leadership |
 |
1920s
- Formed by Brayton Wilbur, Sr., Floyd Ellis, and Thomas Franck, initially trading in fish
meal and oil as well as cement.
- Expands fish meal and oil business; begins to trade in other feedstuffs.
1930s
- Establishes export trading business in the Pacific Rim with the acquisition of Connell
Bros. Company, Ltd.
- Expands into new product lines, including soybean meal and oil, vitamin oil, dried fruit
and meat by-products.
1940s
- Develops agricultural chemicals business in California and Arizona.
- The Pacific Rim undergoes rapid political, social, and economic changes during
dismantling of colonial system after World War II. Connell Bros. supplies many needed
products, from canned goods to heavy equipment, serving as marketing representative for
major United States manufacturers such as Upjohn, Pfizer, and Monsanto.
1950s
- Opens office in Japan.
- Connell Bros. has 13 offices strategically located in the Pacific Rim's financial and
commercial centers.
1960s
- Continues its steady growth through expansion and extension of existing businesses as
well as acquisitions.
- Raymond B. Mattson succeeds Brayton Wilbur, Sr. as Wilbur-Ellis President and CEO.
- Carter P. Thacher succeeds Raymond B. Mattson as Wilbur-Ellis President and CEO.
1970s
- Regulatory Affairs Group created to monitor and ensure compliance with environmental
legislation.
- The Pacific Rim emerges as a powerful global presence. Connell Bros. develops joint
venture agreements and expands sales to the region.
1980s
- Ranks among the 50 largest privately owned companies in the United States.
- Connell Bros. becomes one of the major distributors of raw material to the Pacific Rim,
concentration primarily on specialty chemicals.
- Acquires Brayton Chemicals.
- Harricros Chemicals, PTE Ltd. is incorporated in Singapore.
- Carter P. Thacher becomes Wilbur-Ellis Chairman. Brayton Wilbur, Jr. succeeds him as
President and CEO.
1990s
- Expansion of agricultural chemicals and fertilizer business in Texas with the 1989 asset
acquisition of Tide Products, and by acquiring the assets of Tex-Ag Company; in
California, with the acquisitions of John Taylor Fertilizers Co. and Soilserv, Inc.; and
in the Pacific Northwest, with the acquisition of the chemical and fertilizer assets of
Willamette Seed Co., as well as numerous smaller acquisitions.
- Expands Connell Bros. operations through the acquisition of Express Chemical Supplies
Sdn. Bhd. in Malaysia, and expands feed operations by acquiring the assets of Inman &
Company in the Pacific Northwest.
2000s
- Sales exceed $1.1 billion; records 80th year of profitability.
- Further expands agricultural chemicals business in California by acquiring the assets of
Helm Fertilizers, Inc.
- Brayton Wilbur, Jr. becomes Wilbur-Ellis Chairman, Carter P. Thacher is named Vice
Chairman, and Herbert B. Tully becomes President and CEO.
- Continues to expand agricultural chemicals business by acquiring the assets of John
Pryor Company in California and Olson Seed Company in Oregon and expands feed operations
by acquiring the assets of Knox McDaniel Company in Utah.
- Herbert B. Tully becomes Wilbur-Ellis Chairman and John P. Thacher is named President and CEO.
- Expansion continues with acquisition of Hughson Chemical, RNA, Dakota Air and Ag Supply in the Agribusiness Division
- Feed Division expands with the acquisitions of Fauna Industries, Western Feed Supplements and Alberta Timothy Company.
- Connell Bros., Co., Ltd. acquires Gulf Chemicals
- Sales exceed 2 billion in 2007, marking the 86th year of profitability
|
|