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Dole plc

Irish multinational agricultural company

Dole plc, formerly Dole Food Company, is a major producer of fruit and vegetables with operations in 75 countries. It has over 38,500 employees and reported $6.5 billion in revenues in 2021. The company owns processing plants, distribution centers, farmland, and real estate worldwide. Dole's products include bananas, pineapples, grapes, berries, citrus fruits, and vegetable salads. It also operates a shipping line and has partnerships with PepsiCo and The Walt Disney Company.

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Timeline

Foundation of Castle & Cooke

Dole plc traces its origins back to the establishment of Castle & Cooke in 1851. The company was initially involved in sugar and logistics operations.

James Dole arrives in Hawaii

In 1899, James Dole arrived in Hawaii with a Harvard degree in business and horticulture, and began growing pineapples, eventually founding the Hawaiian Pineapple Company.

Expansion of Dole plc

During the early 20th century, Dole plc underwent significant expansion and acquisition, solidifying its position as a major player in the agricultural industry.

Hawaiian Pineapple Company Founded by James Dole

In 1901, James Dole, also known as the 'Pineapple King', established the Hawaiian Pineapple Company, which played a significant role in the history of Dole.

Henry Ginaca invents pineapple processing machine

In 1911, Dole engineer Henry Ginaca creates a revolutionary machine that can peel, core, and cut pineapples at a remarkable speed of up to 100 per minute, setting a new industry standard.

Castle & Cooke acquires 21% ownership of Hawaiian Pineapple Company

In 1932, Castle & Cooke gains a significant ownership stake of 21% in the Hawaiian Pineapple Company, consolidating its position in the pineapple industry.

DOLE brand stamped on pineapple cans

In 1933, the Hawaiian Pineapple Company starts labeling cans of pineapple and pineapple juice with the prestigious 'DOLE' brand, leveraging the reputation of James Dole for quality and popularity.

Dole merges with Castle & Cooke

In 1961, Dole merges with Castle & Cooke, a significant move that solidifies the DOLE brand's presence in the market and strengthens the company's position in the industry.

Castle & Cooke purchases majority stake in Standard Fruit & Steamship Company

In 1964, Castle & Cooke acquired a 55% interest in the Standard Fruit & Steamship Company, marking its entry into the banana business. The company later went on to acquire 100% ownership.

Standard Fruit bananas rebranded as DOLE®

In 1972, Standard Fruit bananas started being sold under the DOLE® label, replacing the previous Cabana® label.

Castle & Cooke establishes banana plantations in Costa Rica and Nicaragua

In 1973, Castle & Cooke developed large banana plantations in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, leading to its dominance in the North American banana market.

Castle & Cooke acquires Philipp Astheimer & Sohn

Castle & Cooke acquired Philipp Astheimer & Sohn in 1975, expanding its operations in the industry.

Dole introduces bananas in Europe

In 1978, Dole launched its banana products in the European market, expanding its reach globally.

Fruit Importers of Ireland Purchases Fyffes

In 1986, Fruit Importers of Ireland purchased Fyffes from Chiquita, marking a significant acquisition in the fruit industry.

Philipp Astheimer & Sohn Renamed to Dole Fresh Fruit Europe OHG

In 1988, Philipp Astheimer & Sohn celebrates its 125th anniversary and is renamed as Dole Fresh Fruit Europe OHG.

Introduction of Value-Added Fresh Vegetable Products by Dole Fresh Vegetables Division

In 1990, the Dole Fresh Vegetables division introduces a range of value-added packaged fresh vegetable products, including pre-cut vegetables and salads, which quickly becomes the fastest growing segment in supermarkets.

Dole launches 'Dole 5 A Day Program'

In 1991, Dole launched the 'Dole 5 A Day Program' to promote healthy eating habits by encouraging the consumption of five or more daily servings of fruits and vegetables.

Dole 5 A Day Programme Launch

Dole launches the 'Dole 5 A Day Programme' to promote the consumption of five or more daily servings of fruits and vegetables among young children and their families.

Dole Tropical Gold Pineapples in New Zealand

Dole introduces its Tropical Gold Pineapples in New Zealand, expanding its product offerings to include delicious tropical fruits in the country.

Separation of Dole and Castle & Cooke

In 1996, David H. Murdock separated Dole and Castle & Cooke, transforming the latter into a real estate development company.

Dole ISO 14001 Certification in Costa Rica

Dole's banana operations in Costa Rica achieve ISO 14001 certification, becoming the first banana exporter and agricultural producer worldwide to meet the environmental management system requirements.

Expansion of ISO 14001 Certification

Dole's divisions in Latin America and Asia also achieve ISO 14001 certification in 1999, following the success of the certification in Costa Rica.

Introduction of organic bananas by Dole

Dole introduced organic bananas to their product line, catering to the demand for organic and natural food options.

Dole's Financial Struggles and Rescue by Murdock

In the early 2000s, Dole faced financial difficulties and was rescued by David H. Murdock, who took the company private in 2003 after it had been publicly traded.

Foundation of the Dole Nutrition Institute

The Dole Nutrition Institute was established with a mission to 'Feed the World with Knowledge' through research and education initiatives.

Acquisition of SABA Trading AB

In 2005, Dole completed the acquisition of SABA Trading AB, a company based in Sweden.

Dole named to 'World's Most Ethical Companies' list

In 2007, Dole Food Company, Inc. was recognized and named to the 'World's Most Ethical Companies' list by Ethisphere Magazine.

Dole Sued by Families of Banana Workers in Colombia

In 2009, Dole faced a lawsuit from families of banana workers in Colombia, alleging the company's involvement in bankrolling militias that killed thousands of Colombians.

Sale of Dole France, UK, Spain, and Portugal to Compagnie Fruitière

In 2010, Dole sold its operations in France, UK, Spain, and Portugal to Compagnie Fruitière, retaining a 40% interest in the company.

Acquisition of Sunny Ridge

In 2011, Dole acquired Sunny Ridge, a berry grower and marketer.

Dole's 'Seven Lettuces' Salad Recall

In 2012, Dole recalled its 'Seven Lettuces' salads after New York health officials found salmonella in the salads during random testing.

Sale of Worldwide Packaged Foods and Asia Fresh Businesses to Itochu

In 2013, Dole completed the sale of its Worldwide Packaged Foods and Asia Fresh Businesses to Itochu.

Dole's Bagged Salad Recall

In 2014, Dole initiated another recall of its bagged salads due to contamination by Listeria monocytogenes.

Dole's Bagged Spinach Recall

In 2015, Dole recalled bagged spinach due to contamination with salmonella following safety testing conducted by the United States Food and Drug Administration at a plant in Springfield, Ohio.

Listeriosis Outbreak at Dole's Springfield Plant

In 2016, an outbreak of listeriosis tied to Dole's Springfield plant led to the hospitalization of 33 people and four deaths. The plant closed for four months that year.

Dole Settlement of Civil Lawsuits

In 2017, Dole settled two civil lawsuits related to the listeriosis outbreak.

Dole Promise launched

The year 2020 saw the launch of the Dole Promise initiative, aimed at promoting sustainability and transparency in the company's operations. To learn more about this initiative, visit the provided link.

Dole plc Initial Public Offering

Dole plc, a newly formed company resulting from the merger of Total Produce plc and Dole Food Company, Inc., completed its initial public offering by selling 25,000,000 ordinary shares at $16.00 per share. The underwriters also have an option to purchase additional shares.

Dole plc Announces Closing of Initial Public Offering

Dole plc has completed its Initial Public Offering (IPO) process. The company has made an official announcement regarding the closing of the IPO.

Dole stock reaches all-time high closing price

On September 30, 2021, Dole stock achieved its highest closing price ever, reaching 16.45. This marked a significant milestone for the company in terms of stock performance.

Brand licensing with The Walt Disney Company

In 2022, Dole entered into a brand licensing arrangement with The Walt Disney Company for fruits and vegetables branded with Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars fictional characters to promote produce consumption among children.

End of the Timeline
Dole plc

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