OUR STORY THROUGH THE YEARS.
See how our company has grown through the years, becoming one of the largest U.S. poultry producers today.
1895
Marsden Company of Philadelphia organizes Allied Mills Inc.
1916
D. W. McMillen purchases a small grain elevator in Ft. Wayne, IN, and begins manufacturing feed called Wayne, named after General Anthony Wayne, a man of courage and daring.
1929
Allied Mills Inc. organizes under the laws of the State of Indiana and soon acquires the Ft. Wayne-based feed businesses previously operated by the American Milling Company and McMillen Company and their predecessors.
1961
Allied Mills purchases a poultry plant in Union Springs, AL, and names it Wayne Farms.
1965
Continental Grain Company of New York acquires 51% of the common capital stock of Allied Mills through a tender offer made to the shareholders of Allied and makes the decision to spin off the poultry division. The company is established with two initial locations in Albertville and Union Springs, AL. At this time, the company focuses on the manufacturing and sale of fresh poultry under the Wayne Farms name.
1981
Allied Mills Inc. merges into Continental Grain Company.
1985
The Continental Grain Company Poultry Division expands its product base by entering the further processing side of the poultry business. Continental Grain Company acquires the Dutch Quality House name and the first further processing plant, located in Oakwood, GA. Dutch Quality House originated in Gouda, Netherlands, in 1961.
1998
The company completes construction of a new processing facility in Decatur, AL, now known as Decatur East. This facility opens with two lines.
2000
The Poultry Division of Continental Grain Company is officially named Wayne Farms LLC.
2006
Wayne Farms LLC opens its newest further processing facility in Decatur, AL, now known as Decatur West.
2012
Wayne Farms LLC acquires a poultry complex, which includes a processing facility, hatchery and feed mill, in Dothan, AL.
2017
Launch the NAKED TRUTH® line of premium chicken to meet the responsible animal care standards under the GAP Step 2-rated program. Since its introduction, four fully cooked selections can now be found in the freezer section at several major retailers.
2018
Wayne Farms LLC opens $4.5 Million Customer Innovation Center in Decatur with a fully equipped culinary kitchen to collaborate and test new concepts or products with our customers.
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