Quaker is a well-known name all around the world. The company came into existence in 1901 and has a deep-rooted history.
The company is providing healthy and nutritious products to customers and is dedicated to maintaining its quality. The company maintains its brand reputation by continuously innovating and adopting eco-friendly practices.
In this blog, you will learn about Quaker’s history, their factories, their product lines, and their eco-friendly practices.
Top Stats
- Founded in 1901, with roots tracing back to 1877, Quaker Oats is over 120 years old.
- The Cedar Rapids, Iowa, plant is the largest cereal mill in the world, spanning 1.5 million square feet.
- Quaker Oats products are sold in over 100 countries worldwide.
- The company operates 5 major manufacturing facilities in North America, with additional units in Latin America, Europe, and Asia.
- Quaker’s UK facility in Fife, Scotland, produces oats for both Eastern and Western Europe.
- In 2021, PepsiCo (Quaker’s parent company) transitioned all U.S. manufacturing plants to 100% renewable electricity.
- After the 2008 flood, Cedar Rapids facility upgrades saved over 1 million kWh of energy per year, equivalent to powering 90 U.S. homes.
- PepsiCo’s AI-controlled water filtration system recycles up to 75% of process water, helping Quaker achieve its water conservation goals.
- By switching to paper oatmeal cups, Quaker cut down 200 tons of virgin plastic annually.
- A zero-landfill initiative at Cedar Rapids cut waste by 35% in just one year.
History of Quaker Oats Manufacturing
Here is the detailed overview of Quaker’s manufacturing history.
Origins of Quaker Oats
History: The company came into existence in 1901, when four companies decided to merge. When we examine the roots, we find the trade dating back to 1877. The company’s trademark was registered in 1877 by Henry Seymour of Ravenna, Ohio. He chose the symbol because it represented loyalty, purity, integrity, and honesty.
Production: Quaker was the first company to make cereal in the form of steel-cut and rolled oats. It was the first company to make a convenient and nutritious breakfast for people. They packed the oats in cardboard boxes and made oats available to the common people in households.
First Plant:
The company’s first manufacturing plant was placed in Cedar, Iowa, in the late 1800s; later, that plant became the largest manufacturer of cereal. That plant is still producing Quaker’s Oats.
Growth and Expansion
The Quaker Company expanded rapidly in the 20th century. The first merger was with Aunt Jemima in 1926, which helped the company expand their breakfast variety. The second and third mergers were with Fisher Price in 1969 and Snapple Beverage Corporation in 1994. Both were sold later due to the poor integration. In 2001, the Quaker’s company was acquired by PepsiCo, which gave them $13.4 billion. The merger with Pepsi helped them expand their products worldwide.
Currently, the company’s products are being sold in over 100 countries. The company has merged into different regions and areas by providing them with region-specific products tailored to their taste. The company has its different facilities and offices in Asia, North America, Latin America, and Europe.
There are different variations in products, such as for the Asian market, Masala oats, low sugar options, and single-serve oatmeal cups. By bringing innovation to its products, the company has maintained its value and position in the world.
Number of Quaker Oats Factories Today
Here is the breakdown of the total factories of Quaker Oats worldwide:
Total Facilities Worldwide
The total number of facilities is not disclosed by the company yet, but the company has 5 major plants alone in North America. To support the global demand company also has units in Latin America and Asia. The company has a wide range of products, including masl oats, low sugar oats, instant oats, bernola bars, and ready-to-eat packets.
Regional Distribution
The company has many manufacturing units across the region to support the demand:
North America: The company’s major manufacturing units are located in North America nd Canada. The units are planted near grain mills for better and efficient production.
Latin America: In Latin America, this company has units in Brazil and Mexico that support the supply of products across the region.
Asia: According to population, Asia is the biggest continent in the world. The highly populated countries, such as China and India, are located in Asia. To meet the demand of consumer companies has planted manufacturing companies have been planted. The company has a partnership with local facilities to develop tastes according to the local population.
Europ: The company has plants in the UK and Belgium to cater to the needs of eastern and western customers. In the UK, the company’s plants are located in Fife, Scotland, and Cupar.
Source: www.pepsico.com
Major Quaker Oats Plants in the U.S.
Largest Facility: The company’s largest production plant is in Cedar, Iowa. The facility has been expanded to over 1.5 million square feet and has been in service for more than a decade now. The factory produces different kinds of products such as old oat meals, instant oats, and granola bars. Due to its largest manufacturing facilities, this company plays a huge role in regional employment by providing jobs.
Other Plants:
The company has plants in Danville, Illinois. The manufacturing company specializes in making granola bars. This facility helps the company to meet the demand of North America across the USA.
The other plant is based in Columbia, Missouri. This plant makes different kinds of oats and snacks. The facility is merged with PepsiCo and makes different PepsiCo brands too.
Quaker Company has one more production plant in Fayetteville, Tennessee, to support the regional demand.
Source: www.pepsicojobs.com
What Is Produced at Quaker Oats Factories?
Quaker produced a wide range of products, including oats and grain-based products. Here is the product range of Quakers:
Core Products
The company makes a wide range of products that are part of the daily routine of many households.
Oatmeal: the company makes traditional oatmeal, quick oat meals and steel-cut oats. These products are made in large facilities with grains, steaming, and flaking.
Granola bar: Quaker also makes granola bars and big chewy bars. These bars are made in US factories in Danville, Illinois. After the products are packed using high-quality automated lines.
Cereals: The company also made hot and cold quick cereals. The products include Life cereal, Quaker Oats Meal Squares instant oatmeal packets. These products are made in the facility in North America.
Specialized Production Lines
With the evolving concern of health and diet, Quaker has introduced a special product line:
Gluten-Free Products: Quaker has certified gluten-free products that are made in separate plants to avoid any kind of contamination from other products. The products include gluten-free traditional oats and instant oats.
Organic Products: The company also launched organic-based products for the desired customers. They have separate facilities or dedicated lines for production.
Sources: www.foodbusinessnews.net, www.prnewswire.com
Sustainability and Technology in Quaker Factories
Eco-Friendly Practices
Quaker has partnered with Pepesi & Co, and most of the production and initiatives are shared across both factories.
Eco-friendly practices
All US facilities are based on 100% renewable electricity. In 2021, the entire country shifted to renewable electricity for are factory plants. They apply the same standard to other countries as well, where they have production plants. By 2023, 40 countries were running entirely on renewable electricity.
To increase deep efficiency, Quakers replaced aging motors and HVAC systems after the flood in 2008. The elimination of old systems, which reduced 1 million kWh, which is equal to the electricity of 90 homes in the US.
The company’s ongoing water cut usage practices are highly effective. Pepesi&co’s AI-controlled filtration plant, which recycles 75% of process water, is applied across all their companies. This project helps Quakers to reach their water cut goal.
Packaging and Recycling
By bringing innovation in packing, they use paper packing instead of plastic. This action reduced 200 tons of virgin plastic a year. The company also introduced zero landfill waste. Their team of 8 people sold and reduced the waste material, which reduced the landfill volume by 35%.
Sources: www.pepsico.com
Conclusion
Quaker’s company has built its long-lasting reputation through its dedication and innovation. The company has been in business for more than a century. They have facilities all over the USA and Asia. The company has introduced products according to the taste of local consumers, such as gluten-free oats, masla osta, and granola bars.
The company’s products are part of people’s daily household routine. The company is also working on environmental sustainability by using renewable electricity, introducing paper packaging, and a water cut usage project.