FOOD MANUFACTURING COMPANIES: Top Companies in the USA 2023

Food Manufacturing Companies
Photo Credit: The Greater Goods

Food manufacturing is the process of turning raw ingredients into consumable goods. Consumer packaged foods are produced by a variety of businesses in the food manufacturing sector. Food manufacturing companies transform edible raw materials into consumer goods. The United States now has a large number of food manufacturing businesses that serve as a direct conduit between farmers and consumers. The leading dog food manufacturing companies in the US have been compiled. Anyone with a great idea can launch their own company with the help of private-label food producers.

While producing a food item in large quantities on your own is nearly impossible, hiring someone to handle every aspect of the project is incredibly simple. Find out more about some of the top American food manufacturing companies as a starting point. 

Food Manufacturing Companies

Food manufacturing companies can be divided into three basic groups:

  • Manufacturers of private labels
  • Contract manufacturers (and contract packers)
  • Own-label products

Own-label producers: Production facilities that are under the control of a food CPG company. The majority of the top brands that you find on store shelves are produced by the business itself using own-label producers.

Contract manufacturers are companies that produce food for other brands while following the brand’s recipe and requirements (also known as co-manufacturers, co-mans, or co-packers). A lot of startups and up-and-coming brands use Co-Mans as a financially advantageous way to launch and scale up production because they essentially rent out production time and capacity.

Manufacturers of food under private labels include those that supply Costco Kirkland, Target Market Pantry, and Trader Joe’s. These manufacturers create the formulas for the retailer or in partnership with them.

Smaller businesses cannot produce food on the scale that manufacturers can, which enables them to produce more products and make more money. Co-packers and contract food manufacturers make it easier for brands to launch their products on the market by offering capabilities for product development, ingredient sourcing, cost control, packaging, storage, labeling, regulatory compliance, in-house R&D, and scaling.   

Food Manufacturer Company 

Companies that manufacture food produce, handle, and deliver food and beverage goods to customers or clients. Numerous food manufacturing businesses in the US could offer a range of employment and professional development opportunities.

#1. PepsiCo

There are 23 different brands that are part of the food and beverage company PepsiCo. To provide consumers with salty snacks in addition to cola, the CEOs of Frito-Lay and Pepsi-Cola merged in 1965. Pepsi employs senior HR representatives, process improvement engineers, production supervisors, maintenance technicians, supply chain supervisors, and truck drivers, among other occupations. 

It offers soda, juice, and other beverage products along with chips, dips, oatmeal, snack bars, cereal, rice, pasta, and dairy items. The business is based in Purchase, New York, and provides services to offices, schools, hotels, and food services. 

#2. Conagra Foodservice

This is a producer of food items for the restaurant industry, such as pizza, ice cream toppings, spreads, frozen breakfast foods, and cooking sprays. The company, which was founded in 1919, is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

To maintain the safety, well-being, and deliciousness of its products, the business maintains close relationships with growers, suppliers, and consumers. Additionally, they follow strict guidelines for responsible and humane treatment of animals. Conagra Brands offers a wide range of services along with its food products. For instance, the business provides cooking classes and specially designed programs to enable people to prepare nutrient-dense meals from scratch. Additionally, a wide variety of products that support good health and nutrition are available. 

#3. Tyson Food Inc 

Tyson Food Inc. is a multinational American company that works in the food industry. The business has been processing and selling beef, pork, and chicken since 2001. Ball Park and Jimmy Dean are just two of the protein-focused brands in its current, quickly expanding portfolio. Among the occupations held by Tyson employees are truck drivers and general laborers.

The company makes well-known protein-based foods like chicken, beef, and pork as well as processed foods like prepared meals, sandwiches, snacks, and breakfast items. Tyson also manufactures a variety of pet food items. You can find products from Tyson Foods in shops and dining establishments all over the world. Furthermore, Tyson produces and sells processed and prepared proteins to consumers as well as businesses in the food service, retail, and industrial sectors. 

#4. General Mills

Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, General Mills is a global food corporation. The 1856-founded business manufactures and exports a variety of food items, including cereal, baking mixes, yogurt, snacks, and frozen entrees. With more than 100 brands, it is one of the biggest food companies in the world. General Mills’ goal is to provide customers with wholesome, practical, and enjoyable foods and beverages that enhance their well-being. 

The goal of General Mills is to offer customers delicious, wholesome foods and beverages that will improve their health. In general, General Mills is a top producer of foods around the world with a dedication to social responsibility, health, and sustainability.

#5. Nestle

Among American manufacturers of food and drinks, Nestle USA is a market leader. Nestle USA, a company that came up in 1866, is responsible for some of the most recognizable and adored brands in the world, including Nescafe, KitKat, Carnation, Gerber, Lean Cuisine, Stouffer’s, and Toll House. Quality at Nestle USA begins with locating the top ingredients from around the world. 

Nestle USA makes a lot of effort to guarantee that the goods it produces are of the highest caliber. Nestle USA is dedicated to strictly adhering to all relevant laws and standards to ensure safety. Only goods that meet the highest standards make it onto the shelves thanks to the company’s stringent testing procedures and traceability systems.

#6. JBS

In the US, one of the top producers of animal proteins is JBS USA Holding Inc. Its main office is in Greeley, Colorado, where it was established in 1855. The business prepares and sells a range of fresh, frozen, and enhanced pork, beef, and poultry products to retail, food service, and international clients.

With a capacity of more than 27 billion pounds per year, JBS USA is the largest meat and poultry processor in the world. Because of the strategic placement of its processing facilities and distribution hubs close to important markets, it can benefit from economies of scale and offer customers products of the highest caliber. The company manages more than 30 brands and manufactures a variety of processed proteins, such as beef patties, bacon, sausage, deli meats, smoked sausages, and chicken nuggets.

Food safety is a top priority for JBS USA, and the company employs rigorous quality control procedures to guarantee that all of its products adhere to customer specifications. 

#7. Unilever 

Unilever is one of the top global manufacturers of consumer goods, operating in 190 nations and generating annual sales of about €53 billion. Dove, Lipton, Magnum, Omo, Knorr, Axe, Sunsilk, and Surf are just a few of the well-known and dependable brands produced by Unilever. Unilever aspires to make a positive impact on society for several generations to come through the power of its brands and dedication to doing good. 

#8. Mars Inc 

Mars Inc. is a global manufacturer of sweets, pet food, and other food products with a net sales revenue of more than $40 billion per year. Franklin Clarence Mars established the business in Tacoma, Washington, in 1911, and it has since expanded to rank among the biggest privately held businesses in the world. M&Ms, Snickers, Twix, Skittles, and Milky Way are just a few of the candy and chocolate brands made by Mars Inc. that are among the most well-known worldwide. Additionally, Mars Inc. also produces pet food brands such as Pedigree and Whiskas 

Mars Inc. also places a high priority on assisting its workers, providing them with a range of benefits including health insurance plans, retirement savings plans, and educational opportunities. Additionally, Mars Inc. strives to add value for its clients by creating innovative marketing campaigns that increase brand recognition and consumer base.

Dog Food Manufacturing Companies

It’s not always a deal-breaker for pet owners when it comes to the manufacturing of dog food. Nevertheless, some pet owners prefer to buy foods produced by teeny boutique manufacturers, while others favor purchasing from the industry’s largest companies. To meet the growing demand for premium, natural, and organic dog food, the leading manufacturing companies in the dog food industry are concentrating on creating healthier and more nutrient-dense goods. They are using components like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, as well as sources of high-quality protein. 

#1. Mars Petcare Inc.

Mars Petcare Inc. makes over 50 pet brands, including the well-known dog food choices Pedigree®, IamsTM, EukanubaTM, Nom Nom, and Nutro, which operate under the Mars, Inc. umbrella. Some brands that cater to cats are CraveTM, Whiskas®, Sheba®, and TemptationsTM. Mars Petcare Inc., with its headquarters in McLean, Virginia, go way back to 1883, but it is currently the market leader in pet food thanks to a staggering $19 billion in annual revenue they generate globally. Through its Mars Sustainable in a Generation Plan, the business is emphasizing animal welfare and pledging to take steps to improve animal welfare. Mars Petcare Inc. is one of the top dog food manufacturing companies in the US.

#2. Nestle Purina PetCare

When listing the top dog food manufacturing companies in the US, Nestle Purina is one of the best choice manufacturers. The 1894-founded Swiss company Nestlé has a pet food division in the United States. Undoubtedly one of the biggest producers of pet food worldwide is Nestlé Purina PetCare Company. The affordable dog foods Alpo®, Bakers®, and Beneful® as well as more expensive brands like Merrick® are among Purina’s many canine-focused brands. Nestle Purina PetCare, with headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, generates more than $16.5 billion in revenue every year. Additionally, it provides treat and litter boxes, allowing pet owners to give their animals the best nutrition.

#3. Hills Pet 

One of the manufacturing companies in the dog food industry invested in creating premium dog food nutrition products is Hill’s Pet Nutrition. It offers veterinarians and pet owners products for feeding cats and dogs that are scientifically formulated to support their health and well-being. It provides an extensive selection of pet food items, such as dry and wet food, treats, and prescription diets under the brand’s Science Diet, Prescription Diet, and Ideal Balance. All of the company’s products are put through rigorous testing to ensure their safety and efficacy, and it adheres to strict quality control procedures throughout the manufacturing process. 

#4. J.M. Smucker

J.M. Smucker, which was established in 1897, also produces goods under the Meow Mix® and 9Lives® brands that are cat-friendly. J.M. Smucker, whose products are most frequently associated with peanut butter, jellies, and jams, has a respectable $2.6 billion in annual sales worldwide. Unbelievably, this food giant with its headquarters in Orrville, Ohio, produces countless products for dogs under the names Milk-Bone® and Pup-Peroni. 

#5. General Mills

General Mills produces more than just your favorite breakfast cereal; the 1928-founded business with headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota, generates over $1.7 billion in revenue annually from its BLUE Buffalo brand. For dogs and cats, this includes a variety of goods marketed under numerous sub-brands, such as the single-protein, minimal-ingredient BasicsTM, WildernessTM, Life Protection Formula®, and others. 

Private Label Food Manufacturer

They are food manufacturers who produce products under private labels formulate, package, label, and ship goods to clients who want to sell their line of food products. When working with a private-label food manufacturer, buyers can focus on other facets of their companies, such as marketing, sales, distribution, etc. A private-label food company is a business that produces food items under different retail brands’ private labels. Private-label food producers create a variety of food and drink items using their recipes, then they sell those items to other brands, usually retailers. Food items sold under a private label are essentially the culmination of a private-label food manufacturer.

  • Snacks, baking mixes, and canned goods are just a few of the private-label products made by TreeHouse Foods, a US-based food manufacturer.
  • ConAgra Foods is another US-based producer of private-label goods, including baking mixes, frozen meals, and snacks.
  • The H.J. Heinz Company is a large, international food producer of private-label goods like ketchup, sauces, and canned goods.
  • Sysco Corporation: A food distributor with headquarters in the US that also produces private-label goods like frozen foods, snacks, and sauces.
  • A large variety of private-label goods, including condiments, sauces, snacks, and frozen foods, are produced by The Kraft Heinz Company, a multinational food producer. 
  • J.M. Smucker Company, a US-based producer makes private-label goods like jams, jellies, and peanut butter.
  • Global food producer Nestle SA, with headquarters in Switzerland, creates a variety of private-label goods, including chocolate, frozen foods, and baby food.

What Is a Manufacturer of Food? 

Those who produce, process, or pack food for human consumption and label it for retail sale in the United States are food manufacturers. A person who prepares food for wholesale distribution is a food manufacturer. 

How Do I Find a Food Manufacturer for My Product? 

  • Research
  • Contact people and gather data
  • Communicate your designs
  • Obtain samples
  • Negotiate
  • Place your order

What Is an Example of Food Manufacturing? 

General Mills produces cereals, desserts, and pet food using ingredients like wheat, oats, and sugar. food manufacturing involves the conversion of raw materials into edible final products. Most food manufacturing companies go through a series of stages before raw materials are converted.

Who Is the Largest Food Manufacturer? 

Nestle is the world’s biggest food producer. Nestle was established in 1866; it has its headquarters in Vevey, Switzerland, and conducts business in 189 nations. It brings in more than $90 billion annually and employs over 300,000 people.

What Are the 5 Major Food Companies? 

The top five food companies globally by market capitalization in 2023 are Nestle SA, Mondelez International Inc, Hershey Co, General Mills Inc, and Kraft Heinz Co.

Who Are the Largest U.S. Food Manufacturers?

Nestle is the world’s biggest food producer. Nestle, a Swiss company that was founded in 1866, has operations in 189 nations and is headquartered in Vevey.

Nestlé S.A. is the world’s largest food company and the largest industrial company in Switzerland. Over 2000 food and beverage brands are represented in the company’s portfolio, which has its headquarters in Vevey. Nestlé’s market capitalization as of May 2023 is $345.36 billion. 

Conclusion 

The creation of consumable final products from raw ingredients is a step in the food manufacturing process by companies. Whether you’re just getting your brand on the shelves or have had it for a while but are searching for a better manufacturing fit, the first thing you should do is research some of the top dog food manufacturing companies in the United States. Food manufacturing companies create consumer goods from edible raw materials. Through the many food manufacturing companies operating in the US, farmers and consumers can now communicate directly. Just be aware that there are a variety of food manufacturing companies to choose from; this is merely a representative selection. 

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References 

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