Pompeian, Inc.

Pompeian, Inc.[1] is a food company that was founded in Baltimore in 1906 and produced America’s first national brand of imported extra virgin olive oil. Today Pompeian offers a line of olive oils, including Extra Virgin, Classic and Extra Light tasting flavors. They have also introduced a blend of extra virgin olive oil and canola oil entriched with Omega-3 DHA. Pompeian also manufactures red wine vinegars, balsamic vinegars, and cooking wines, featuring the number one selling brand of red wine vinegar.

History

The Pompeian company was started in Lucca, Italy in the late 1800s. Lucca’s close proximity to the port of Genoa allowed for the export of Pompeian Olive Oil throughout the world. One of its most important markets was the United States. As the twentieth century began, Pompeian appealed to the burgeoning European community in the United States and also to the many Americans who were just discovering olive oil’s taste and culinary versatility.

In 1906 a young entrepreneur named Nathan Musher[2] purchased the Pompeian Olive Oil Company of Lucca, Italy, and continued to produce olive oil in Italy and import it to the United States. Musher also imported bulk olive oil, and built warehouses in Genoa, Tortosa, Barcelona, Málaga and Baltimore. The warehouses were equipped with steel, glass-enameled tanks. The warehouse at Baltimore had a capacity of a-million-and-a-half gallons of olive oil.

The Baltimore warehouse becomes the catalyst for expansion of Pompeian. In the late 1920s, because of turmoil taking place in Europe, the Musher family decided to cease production in Lucca, and move production to the Baltimore location.

In 1930, the company was sold to the Hoffberger[3] family. This American entrepreneurial family had many packaged goods companies and owned the Baltimore Orioles for fifteen years. Under the Hoffbergers’ direction, Pompeian expanded nationally, making it the first national olive oil brand in history.

In the 1940s, Pompeian was promoted nationally. Among those who appeared in early Pompeian ads was actress Katherine de Mille, daughter of the famous movie director, and a wife of Anthony Quinn.

The company was purchased in 1975 by the Moreno family of Spain, who were already dealing in non-foods and foods such as olive oil, wine, and other items from Spain. Baldo Moreno[4] of Spain purchased the brand in 1975, and a new generation of the family still runs it today. In 2005, Bill Monroe, who was instrumental in popularizing olive oil in the United States while at Bertolli, was named Chief Executive Officer of Pompeian.

On May 11, 2006, Pompeian marked its 100th anniversary in Baltimore with a commemorative ceremony, luncheon and tour of Pompeian’s importing and bottling facility. The company which employs 50 area residents and reported $75 million in sales was honored with a citation from the office of Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. and a “Pompeian Olive Oil Day” proclamation from the office of Mayor Martin O’Malley. To demonstrate its appreciation to Baltimore, Pompeian donated $10,000 to the Baltimore City Public School System. The company also donated $1,000 each to Our Lady of Pompei in Baltimore and The Christian Brothers which went to The Cardinal Gibbons School in Baltimore. The anniversary event was attended by over 100 other people including members of the Musher and Hoffberger families who shared their memorabilia and recollections with the guests.

Production efficiency

In 2007, Pompeian added a sophisticated robotic palletizing system to efficiently handle cases of olive oil and wine vinegars. The system reduces costs and downtime while increasing production efficiency.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Pompeian Olive Oil, the first to participate in the USDA Quality Monitoring Program". Pompeian.com. Retrieved 2012-11-05.
  2. ↑ "Musher Family". Columbia.edu. Retrieved 2012-11-05.
  3. ↑ RICHARD GOLDSTEINPublished: April 13, 1999 (1999-04-13). "Jerold Hoffberger, 80, Owner of Series-Winning Orioles, Dies". New York Times. Retrieved 2012-11-05.
  4. ↑ "Pompeian Olive Oil Day Celebrated in Baltimore - Marks 100th Anniversary of Success in the City" (PDF). Pompeian.com. Retrieved 2012-11-06.
  5. ↑ "Pompeian's palletizing goes robotic - 2008-07-01 06:00:00". Packaging Digest. Retrieved 2012-11-06.
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