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{{Short description|Company specializing in pickled products}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = Madison Vlasic Pickles
| name = Vlasic Pickles
| logo = Vlasic logo.jpg
| logo = Vlasic logo.png
| caption = Logo of Madison Vlasic Pickles.
| trading_name = <!-- d/b/a/, doing business as - if different from legal name above -->
| trading_name = <!-- d/b/a/, doing business as - if different from legal name above -->
| native_name = <!-- Company's name in home country language -->
| native_name = <!-- Company's name in home country language -->
| native_name_lang = <!-- Use ISO 639-2 code, e.g. "fr" for French. If there is more than one native name, in different languages, enter those names using {{tl|lang}}, instead. -->
| native_name_lang = <!-- Use ISO 639-2 code, e.g. "fr" for French. If there is more than one native name, in different languages, enter those names using {{tl|lang}}, instead. -->
| romanized =
| romanized =
| former type =
| former type =
| type =
| type =
Line 16: Line 16:
| successor =
| successor =
| foundation = 1942
| foundation = 1942
| founder = Madison Vlasic
| founder = Frank Vlasic
| defunct = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| defunct = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| location_city = [[Parsippany, NJ]]
| location_city = [[Parsippany, New Jersey]] (Produced in Imlay City, Michigan)
| location_country = [[United States]]
| location_country = [[United States]]
| locations = <!-- Number of locations, stores, offices, etc. -->
| locations = <!-- Number of locations, stores, offices, etc. -->
| area_served =
| area_served =
| key_people = [[Bob Gamgort]]
| key_people =
| products = [[Pickled cucumber]]s
| products = [[Pickled cucumber]]s
* [[Relish]]
| production =
| production =
| services =
| services =
Line 30: Line 31:
| net_income =
| net_income =
| aum = <!-- Only used with financial services companies -->
| aum = <!-- Only used with financial services companies -->
| assets =
| assets =
| equity =
| equity =
| owner = [[Pinnacle Foods]], [[Bain & Company]]<ref>{{cite web |first=Ivan |last=Hindshaw |title=Robert Gamgort, CEO, Pinnacle Foods |url=http://www.bain.com/publications/articles/robert-gamgort-ceo-pinnacle-foods.aspx |publisher=[[Bain & Company]] |date=June 1, 2011 |accessdate=February 21, 2015}}</ref>
| owner = [[Conagra Brands]]<ref>{{cite web |first=Ivan |last=Hindshaw |title=Robert Gamgort, CEO, Pinnacle Foods |url=http://www.bain.com/publications/articles/robert-gamgort-ceo-pinnacle-foods.aspx |publisher=[[Bain & Company]] |date=June 1, 2011 |access-date=February 21, 2015}}</ref>
| num_employees =
| num_employees =
| parent =
| parent =
| divisions =
| divisions =
| subsid =
| subsid =
| homepage = http://www.vlasic.com
| homepage = {{url|vlasic.com}}
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
| intl =
| intl =
| bodystyle =
| bodystyle =
}}
}}


[[File:VlasicPickles.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Vlasic Pickles]]
[[File:VlasicPickles.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Vlasic Pickles]]
'''Vlasic Pickles''' is an American brand of [[pickled cucumber|pickles]] currently owned by [[Pinnacle Foods]]. Since its introduction in 1942, it has become one of the most popular pickle brands in the United States.
'''Vlasic''' is an American brand of [[pickled cucumber|pickles]] that is currently owned by [[Conagra Brands]]. Since its introduction in 1942, it has become one of the most popular pickle brands in the United States.


==History==
==History==
Franjo Vlasic emigrated from today's Bosnia in 1912 and started a small [[creamery]] with savings from his factory job. His son Joseph acquired a [[milk route]] in 1922, which eventually grew into the state's largest dairy distributor.<ref name="Uyterhoeven">Uyterhoeven, Hugo E. R. (1973). ''Strategy and organization: Text and cases in general management.'' R. D. Irwin, {{ISBN|9780256014488}}</ref> In 1937, Vlasic was approached to distribute a home-style pickle, later marketing their fresh-packed pickle in glass jars.<ref>[http://www.vlasic.com Vlasic Pickle website]</ref> The business rapidly expanded in the [[Post–World War II economic expansion|post-war years]], corresponding with growth in per capita pickle consumption.<ref>[http://www.pinnaclefoodscorp.com/public/brands/vlasic.htm Vlasic - Brand History] Pinnacle Food Group LLC. Retrieved on 9-06-10.</ref>
Franjo "Frank" Vlašić, a [[Bosnian Croats|Bosnian Croat]], emigrated from [[Livno]], [[Condominium of Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia and Herzegovina]], at the time part of [[Austria-Hungary]], to [[Detroit|Detroit, Michigan]] in 1912 and started a small [[creamery]] with savings from his factory job. His son Joseph acquired a [[milk route]] in 1922, which eventually grew into the state's largest dairy distributor.<ref name="Uyterhoeven">Uyterhoeven, Hugo E. R. (1973). ''Strategy and organization: Text and cases in general management.'' R. D. Irwin, {{ISBN|9780256014488}}</ref> In 1937, Vlasic was approached to distribute a home-style pickle, later marketing their fresh-packed pickle in glass jars.<ref>[http://www.vlasic.com Vlasic Pickle website]</ref> Its first plant was built in [[Imlay City, Michigan]]. The business rapidly expanded in the [[Post–World War II economic expansion|post-war years]], corresponding with growth in per capita pickle consumption.<ref>[http://www.pinnaclefoodscorp.com/public/brands/vlasic.htm Vlasic - Brand History] Pinnacle Food Group LLC. Retrieved on 9-06-10.</ref>


A child-bearing [[stork]] was introduced as a mascot in 1974, merging the stork baby [[mythology]] with 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 Pickle Stork speaks in a style reminiscent of [[Groucho Marx]], holds a pickle like a cigar, and is voiced by [[Doug Preis]].
A child-bearing [[stork]] was introduced as a mascot in 1974, merging the stork baby [[mythology]] with 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 of [[Groucho Marx]] and holds a pickle like a cigar. The original voice was [[Ron Masak]], since replaced by [[Doug Preis]].


Vlasic Pickles was sold to [[Campbell Soup Company]] in 1978.<ref>[https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/djreprints/doc/134342926.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=May%2031,%201978&author=&pub=Wall%20Street%20Journal&edition=&startpage=&desc=Vlasic%27s%20Holders%20Clear%20Concern%27s%20Acquisition%20By%20Campbell%20Soup%20Co. Vlasic's Holders Clear Concern's Acquisition By Campbell Soup Co.]</ref> The product was spun off to '''Vlasic Foods International''' on March 30, 1998.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/30/business/media/29adnewsletter1.html?pagewanted=all|title=Pink or Blue? These Bundles of Joy Are Always Green|last=Elliott|first=Stuart|date=May 30, 2007|publisher=New York Times|accessdate=2009-02-22}}</ref>
Vlasic Pickles was sold to [[Campbell Soup Company]] in 1978.<ref>[https://www.proquest.com/docview/134342926 Vlasic's Holders Clear Concern's Acquisition By Campbell Soup Co.]</ref> It was spun off to ''Vlasic Foods International'' on March 30, 1998.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/30/business/media/29adnewsletter1.html?pagewanted=all|title=Pink or Blue? These Bundles of Joy Are Always Green|last=Elliott|first=Stuart|date=May 30, 2007|work=New York Times|access-date=2009-02-22}}</ref><ref name=bkrpc>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ektPAAAAIBAJ&pg=6524%2C4371089 |work=Toledo Blade |location=(Ohio) |agency=Associated press |title=Bankruptcy filed by Vlasic; pickle, sauce units sold |date=January 30, 2001 |page=B9}}</ref>


On April 13, 1999, the company introduced the Vlasic Hamburger Stackers, made from naturally grown but specially cultivated cucumbers 40&nbsp;cm (16") long and over 8&nbsp;cm (3") in diameter, which enabled a single pickle chip to cover an entire hamburger.<ref>[http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=105&STORY=/www/story/04-13-1999/0000907924 Vlasic Unveils World's Largest Pickle<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
On April 13, 1999, the company introduced the Vlasic Hamburger Stackers, made from naturally grown but specially cultivated cucumbers {{convert|16|in|cm|spell=in}} long and over {{convert|3|in|cm|spell=in}} in diameter, which enabled a single pickle chip to cover an entire hamburger.<ref>[http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=105&STORY=/www/story/04-13-1999/0000907924 Vlasic Unveils World's Largest Pickle<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


In early 2001, the company voluntarily filed for [[Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 11]] [[bankruptcy]] and its pickle and barbecue sauce units were initially planned to be sold to [[Heinz|H. J. Heinz]].<ref name=bkrpc/> By April of 2001, the company had backed out of the deal and was looking into other offers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2001-04-05 |title=USA: Vlasic - ends sale to Heinz - COMMENT |url=https://www.just-food.com/news/usa-vlasic-ends-sale-to-heinz-comment/ |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=Just Food |language=en-US}}</ref>
Today, Vlasic is owned by [[Pinnacle Foods]] since its name change in 2001.<ref>[http://www.pinnaclefoodscorp.com/webportals/ Pinnacle Foods official site]</ref> The Vlasic stork was shown in "Icons," a [[MasterCard]] commercial from 2005 where many famous advertising icons from food and cleaning equipment are shown having dinner together.<ref>[http://www.priceless.com/us/personal/en/pricelesstv/index.html MasterCard website]</ref>


Vlasic is owned by [[Pinnacle Foods]], a subsidiary of [[Conagra Brands]], since its name change in 2001.<ref>[http://www.pinnaclefoodscorp.com/webportals/ Pinnacle Foods official site]</ref> The Vlasic Stork was shown in "Icons", a [[MasterCard]] commercial during [[Super Bowl XXXIX]] in 2005 where he and many other famous advertising icons from food and cleaning equipment are shown having dinner together.<ref>[http://www.priceless.com/us/personal/en/pricelesstv/index.html MasterCard website]</ref>
The [[cucumbers]] used in Vlasic pickles are grown in Michigan, including the cities of [[Mount Pleasant, Michigan|Mount Pleasant]] and [[Kalamazoo, Michigan|Kalamazoo]], and processed at its plant in [[Imlay City, Michigan|Imlay City]].<ref>[http://www.abc12.com/story/22042800/made-in-michigan-vlasic Made in Michigan: Vlasic] WJRT-TV, April 24, 2013</ref>


On April 10, 2019 at the [[Conagra Brands]] Investor Day event, Tom McGough, Conagra Co-Chief Operating Officer, announced that Vlasic Pickle Chips, made from vacuum-fried pickles, were in development.<ref>[https://www.buypicklechips.com/pickle-chip-news Pickle Chip News]</ref>
The Vlasic family had no connection whatsoever with Poland. They are consistently listed in US censuses as coming from Yugoslavia. The surname Vlasic is Croatian. Franjo's father Joseph was born in Livno, Bosnia and his mother Iva Badrov was the daughter of Josip and Anica Vodopija.

The [[cucumbers]] used in Vlasic pickles are grown in Michigan, including the cities of [[Mount Pleasant, Michigan|Mount Pleasant]] and [[Kalamazoo, Michigan|Kalamazoo]], and processed at its plant in Imlay City, Michigan.<ref>[http://www.abc12.com/story/22042800/made-in-michigan-vlasic Made in Michigan: Vlasic] WJRT-TV, April 24, 2013{{deadlink|date=November 2023}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
* [[List of brand name condiments]]
* [[List of brand name condiments]]
* [[Robert J. Vlasic]]
* {{portal-inline|Food}}
* {{portal-inline|Food}}


== Notes ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.vlasic.com Vlasic Pickle website]
*[http://www.vlasic.com Vlasic Pickle website]
*[http://www.dougpreis.com Doug Preis]
*[https://www.fastcompany.com/47593/wal-mart-you-dont-know "The Wal-Mart You Don't Know", Charles Fishman, ''Fast Company'', Dec 1, 2003]
*[https://www.fastcompany.com/47593/wal-mart-you-dont-know "The Wal-Mart You Don't Know", Charles Fishman, ''Fast Company'', Dec 1, 2003]



Latest revision as of 21:06, 11 October 2024

Vlasic Pickles
Founded1942
FounderFrank Vlasic
Headquarters
Parsippany, New Jersey (Produced in Imlay City, Michigan)
,
ProductsPickled cucumbers
OwnerConagra Brands[1]
Websitevlasic.com
Vlasic Pickles

Vlasic is an American brand of pickles that is currently owned by Conagra 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, a Bosnian Croat, emigrated from Livno, Bosnia and Herzegovina, at the time part of Austria-Hungary, to Detroit, Michigan in 1912 and started a small creamery with savings from his factory job. His son Joseph acquired a milk route in 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 in Imlay City, Michigan. The business rapidly expanded in the post-war years, corresponding with growth in per capita pickle consumption.[4]

A child-bearing stork was introduced as a mascot in 1974, merging the stork baby mythology with 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 of Groucho Marx and holds a pickle like a cigar. The original voice was Ron Masak, since replaced by Doug Preis.

Vlasic Pickles was sold to Campbell Soup Company in 1978.[5] It was spun off to Vlasic Foods International on 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 for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and its pickle and barbecue sauce units were initially planned to be sold to H. 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 by Pinnacle Foods, a subsidiary of Conagra Brands, since its name change in 2001.[10] The Vlasic Stork was shown in "Icons", a MasterCard commercial during Super Bowl XXXIX in 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 the Conagra Brands Investor Day event, Tom McGough, Conagra Co-Chief Operating Officer, announced that Vlasic Pickle Chips, made from vacuum-fried pickles, were in development.[12]

The cucumbers used in Vlasic pickles are grown in Michigan, including the cities of Mount Pleasant and Kalamazoo, and processed at its plant in Imlay City, Michigan.[13]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Hindshaw, Ivan (June 1, 2011). "Robert Gamgort, CEO, Pinnacle Foods". Bain & Company. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  2. ^ Uyterhoeven, Hugo E. R. (1973). Strategy and organization: Text and cases in general management. R. D. Irwin, ISBN 9780256014488
  3. ^ Vlasic Pickle website
  4. ^ Vlasic - Brand History Pinnacle Food Group LLC. Retrieved on 9-06-10.
  5. ^ Vlasic's Holders Clear Concern's Acquisition By Campbell Soup Co.
  6. ^ Elliott, Stuart (May 30, 2007). "Pink or Blue? These Bundles of Joy Are Always Green". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-02-22.
  7. ^ a b "Bankruptcy filed by Vlasic; pickle, sauce units sold". Toledo Blade. (Ohio). Associated press. January 30, 2001. p. B9.
  8. ^ Vlasic Unveils World's Largest Pickle
  9. ^ admin (2001-04-05). "USA: Vlasic - ends sale to Heinz - COMMENT". Just Food. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  10. ^ Pinnacle Foods official site
  11. ^ MasterCard website
  12. ^ Pickle Chip News
  13. ^ Made in Michigan: Vlasic WJRT-TV, April 24, 2013[dead link]
[edit]