Rich Products Corporation

Overview
History
Network
Membership
Leaders

Born from Innovation

Founded by Robert Rich Sr. in 1945, Rich Products Corporation was born from an innovation – the world’s first non-dairy whipped topping. Mr. Rich’s pioneering spirit continues to guide the ongoing success of this family held company. The history of Rich Products has been marked by innovative breakthroughs, an unparalleled commitment to “Caring for Customers Like Only a Family Can™,” and aggressive worldwide growth.

A Diversified Business and Product Offering

The founder of the non-dairy segment of the frozen-food industry, Rich’s is a leading supplier and solutions provider to the foodservice, in-store bakery and retail marketplaces. The company is the world leader in non-dairy toppings, icings and other emulsions. Other key product categories include cakes and desserts; pizza, bakery products; breads and rolls; shrimp and seafood; appetizers and snacks; BBQ; meatballs and pasta; and gluten-free and all-natural items.

Since 1945, Rich’s has been committed to developing food solutions that raise the bar on quality, convenience, and efficiency for our customers. Our delicious innovations can be found in kitchens and bakeries around the world. With more than 50 locations spanning six continents, Rich’s today makes over 4,000 products sold across 100+ countries.

Rich’s takes great pride in our innovations and solutions that foster customers’ growth around the globe. We are recognized throughout the industry as passionate leaders and committed business partners.

How We Do Business

At Rich’s, we believe it’s not just “what we do” that is important, but also “how we do it.” Rich’s carries on a tradition of doing business that has endured for decades.

Founded on the vision of a food industry pioneer and fortified by three generations of the Rich family, more than 9,000 associates and a committed leadership team live by The Rich Promise: “We will treat our customers, our associates and our communities the same way. Like family.”

1945 The world’s first non-dairy whipped topping Rich Products Corporation was founded by Robert E. Rich Sr. in 1945 after his discovery that a soya bean substance could be frozen, thawed and whipped to serve as a vegetable-based replacement for whipped cream. This “miracle cream from the soya bean,” named Rich’s® Whip Topping®, revolutionizes food processing and later serves as the springboard for a series of groundbreaking, non-dairy products
	1950s Eclairs, Choux cream & Coffee Rich Rich’s expands its product offering with the introduction of items for which the company is still famous today: a commercial line of frozen eclairs and crème puffs and Coffee Rich, the nation’s first frozen, non-dairy creamer which hits the supermarket shelves in 1959 and makes Rich’s a household name.
1960s The rise of frozen food The 1960s mark the beginning of a long history of company expansion, including its expansion into Canada with Rich Products of Canada Ltd., led by President of the start-up subsidiary Robert E. (Bob) Rich Jr. – son of company founder Robert R Rich Sr.
	1970s Expansion, diversification & innovation Rich’s continues aggressive manufacturing expansion by acquiring nine new production sites and further expansion of its portfolio with the acquisition of SeaPak Shrimp & Seafood Company. After successfully establishing Rich Products of Canada Ltd., Bob Rich Jr. becomes President of Rich Products Corporation.
1980s A pioneer in the frozen food industry Rich’s revolutionizes frozen food with the introduction of two significant product innovations: Freeze Flo® and On Top®. Additionally, Rich’s diversifies its portfolio with the purchase of three Minor League Baseball franchises, and continues its aggressive expansion with purchases of frozen-food manufacturing facilities across the United States.
	1990s International expansion As product demand grows internationally, Rich’s opens more than 20 sales offices in major cities throughout Asia, Europe, and Latin America and invests in several production facilities abroad, including Mexico, South Africa, and China. Rich’s international business by now includes 11 manufacturing facilities and the company sells products in more than 80 countries around the world.
2000s The largest privately-owned frozenfood company in the United States Continued diversification brings to Rich’s portfolio an impressive assortment of fully finished frozen desserts by completing the acquisitions of Jon Donaire Desserts of Santa Fe Springs, Calif., and Mother’s Kitchen Desserts, in Burlington, N.J. In 2006, Bob Rich Jr. takes the reins as Chairman of Rich Products Corporation with his wife, Melinda R. (Mindy) Rich as Vice Chairman, and Bob Rich Jr. appoints Bill Gisel President and Chief Executive Officer. The company is named to the top 100 family-owned businesses in North America by Campden B magazine, in the same year a major structural shift converts the company’s two separate business groups into one seamless, global organization with five geographic regions.

With sales offices, manufacturing facilities, research and development capabilities spanning the globe, Rich’s is able to offer its customers a unique combination of global food knowledge, production expertise, and personal attention."