1865

Founded by Douw Ditmars Williamson in New York to manufacture burnt sugars for the brewing industry.

1923

Consolidated two acquired companies into Emken Malt Product Company, resulting in a broadened ingredient portfolio for brewing customers.

1948

Constructed a manufacturing facility in Louisville, Kentucky; this plant was completely updated for automation in 2004.

1963

Built plant in Modesto, California to improve service to customers in Western North America, Asia and Australia.

Developed double-strength caramel color with a large soft drink customer in the United States. Double-strength is now the largest caramel category on a global basis.

1978

Created the company's first overseas operation in County Cork, Ireland, to supply the rapidly-expanding soft drink industry in Europe.

1984

Acquired Food Technology Laboratory, Inc. of Chicago to develop further expertise in customers' food applications.

1985

Constructed the first direct pipeline from a caramel color manufacturer to a soft drink processor.

1987

Implemented Philip Crosby's Quality Improvement Process (QIP) to focus on meeting customer expectations and continuous improvement.

1991

Earned ISO 9002 certification for D.D. Williamson (Ireland) Ltd, the 1st food and beverage company in Ireland to achieve this status.

1996

Established D.D. Williamson Ingredients (Shanghai) Ltd., a wholly-owned foreign enterprise, to manufacture caramel color for customers in Asia.

1997

Honored as finalist for The EFQM Excellence Award, Europe's most prestigious quality award for organizational excellence and continuous improvement.

1999

Began producing in Swaziland to supply customers in Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia.

2000

Formed partnership with colorMaker to explore the market for natural colors and distribute its blended solutions on a global basis.

2001

Opened South America's largest caramel color manufacturing operation in Manaus, Brazil.

2003

Launched new caramelized products using non-traditional carbohydrate sources (e.g. rice, apple and onion).

2004

Acquired Cargill's Cerestar caramel color operation in Manchester, United Kingdom, including its broad selection of burnt sugars and specialty caramels for beer and sauces.

2005

Launched the first certified organic caramel colors in North America.

Established D.D. Williamson Colors, LLC upon the acquisition of Artemis International's Elderberry and Chokeberry colorant business.

2006

Acquired Dinesen Trading Company in Port Washington, Wisconsin to add Annatto Extract, Turmeric, Paprika, and Red Beet to the natural color portfolio.

2007

Named "Silver Winner" as supplier in the Colorings category for Food Processing's READERS' CHOICE AWARD.

Honored as Finalist for "We CARE Award" for exemplary community service by D.D. Williamson and its associates (employees) doing great things in the (Louisville) community.

2008

Began manufacturing natural colourants in Cork, Ireland to service customers in Europe and other regions.