Hormel Foods

Hormel Foods Corporation began in 1891 when George A. Hormel opened a meat packing business in Austin, Minnesota. In 1926, the company introduced the country's first canned ham, and in 1937, it brought us Spam. In 1986, Hormel Foods Corporation acquired Jenny-O Foods, which was the nation's largest privately-owned turkey processor and at the beginning of the millennium it absorbed other major brands such as Diamond Crystal, Century Foods International, Lloyd's Barbeque, and Valley Fresh. In recent years, Hormel Foods Corporation has acquired Skippy peanut butter, Muscle Milk, and Applegate Farms, LLC. Still a major processor of pork and turkey in the U.S., the company's thirty-four brands continue to rank at the top in their respective markets. Hormel Foods Corporation operates joint ventures in seven foreign countries and exports to more the 50 countries around the world.

In 2015, Hormel Foods Corporation was named by Selling Power as a "Best Company to Sell For" and by Simplicity as one of the "Best Places to Work for Recent Grads." The company believes strongly in rewarding its associates with generous compensation packages that will enhance quality of life and provide security for the future. Employees are provided with a non-contributory pension plan, a profit-sharing trust plan, and a 401(k) with employer matching. Health insurance options are provided, as is dental and vision insurance, life insurance, generous paid time off, and various wellness programs.

Associates of Hormel Foods Corporation overwhelmingly approve of their leadership, particularly the current CEO. Employees commend the company for its "generous benefits package" yet the consensus among many is that is a "lack of commitment to work-life balance" exists in some locations. Some workers with Hormel Foods Corporation believe that the company's size is a benefit as it "provides a lot of opportunities for growth and development" and that the company tends to "promote from within and invest in their people."