Skip to content

Inspired People. Inspired Food.

Jaime Annis | May 24, 2017

People

Over 125 years old, and just getting started

George A. Hormel started a small meatpacking company in Austin, Minn., in 1891. Over the last 125 years, the company has grown to be one of the largest food companies in the world with the help of some of its most iconic brands: Hormel® pepperoni, Applegate® natural and organic meats, Jennie-O® turkey, SKIPPY® peanut butter, Hormel® Black Label® bacon, Wholly Guacamole® dips, Justin’s® nut butters, and, of course, the SPAM® brand.

Though much has changed since George A. Hormel first founded Geo. A Hormel & Co., the company is still proudly based in Austin, Minn., and the values on which it was founded—integrity, an uninterrupted quest for quality and innovation, a respect for one another and a commitment to community—still define Hormel Foods today.

In 2016, we invited our employees, our hometown community and our locations to help us celebrate our 125th anniversary. Throughout our anniversary year, we shared our stories and celebrations with employees, families and communities worldwide. Equally important, we took this unique opportunity to introduce our new purpose statement: Inspired People. Inspired Food.™

As we continue to grow in size and geography, our purpose statement unites our employees with a single purpose while reminding our consumers why they choose products from Hormel Foods.

We’re Inspired By Big Ideas and Small Egos

George A. Hormel said it best: “Originate, don’t imitate.” His vision continues to be our mission, even after 125 years. Innovation drives our growth—delivering exciting new products and keeping our products relevant with changing consumer needs.

Holly Inspired

Whether I am developing a new product or working on enhancements to an existing one, there are always challenges to overcome.

Holly Long, Product Development Scientist

Small Towns, Big Hearts

We are proud to do our part in making the world a better place and have been recognized as one of the 100 best corporate citizens by Corporate Responsibility Magazine for nine consecutive years. Our employees are passionate about helping others and regularly volunteer their time toward our companywide philanthropic efforts focused on hunger and education. Since its creation, over 230 employees have volunteered with our SPAMMY project, which helps nourish 30,000 children in Guatemala each month.

Inspired Dipal

I am very glad that I went on a SPAMMY project trip. It definitely impacted my life in a big way and gave me a broader perspective of the world outside my bubble. I’m very fortunate to work for a company like Hormel Foods, as we help give hope to those in need.

Dipal Patel, Human Resources Coordinator, Beloit Plant

Good Taste

We are foodies at heart and are constantly challenging ourselves to find new ways to bring great taste to our fans. We have a long track record of continually refreshing brands such as Hormel® pepperoni, SPAM® products, Hormel® Black Label® bacon and Hormel® Cure 81® hams. These iconic brands, loved by consumers around the world, are the foundation of our company and are still growing today.

Inspired Aakre

By connecting different pieces of data, we can discover new and unique insights. This allows us to identify and develop entirely new products, as well as new items and platforms for our legacy brands.

Scott Aakre, Vice President Corporate Innovation and Consumer/Shopper Insights

Our Global Team

Hormel Foods is a growing global business with products from 30 brands available in more than 75 countries. We are inspired to grow our global presence led by the iconic SPAM® and SKIPPY® families of products. Our new plant in Jiaxing, China, is helping us meet the demand for our products in the largest nation in the world.

Inspired Norman

When the Jiaxing plant begins operations, the facility will become a new hub to meet the demands of expanding market growth.

Norman Gu, General Manager Hormel Foods China

Our Customers

Our customers are among the best in the world. From world-class retail stores to hotels and restaurants, our direct sales force partners with our retailers, foodservice operators and foodservice distributors to help bring the great taste of our products to consumers and patrons everywhere.

Inspired Ann Marie

It’s critical that we spend time with our customers and watch how their operations work to be able to offer the most relevant solutions. It’s unique to have a food company come in and ask questions, listen to their needs and help determine what is most important to their businesses.

Annemarie Vaupel, Foodservice Innovation Manager

Our Family

The people and brands in our family are a source of ongoing inspiration for our company. We continue to grow our family of brands with the recent additions of Applegate and Justin’s. Adding these companies and employees to our family of iconic brands keeps our company strong and on trend with today’s consumers.

Inspired Jeff Frank

As a fourth-generation employee, Hormel Foods is truly part of the identity of my family. With relatives who actually knew George and Jay Hormel, the company’s terrific legacy is also part of my family’s history.

Jeff Frank, President and CEO, MegaMex Foods

As we look forward, we are inspired by our people who are committed to do the work necessary to ensure a bright future. The knowledge, drive and tenure of our team allow us to meet the high standards placed on us by our consumers, customers, communities and shareholders.