History
H.J. Baker's unique history over the past 170 plus years has led it to become the company it is today. Building upon its vast knowledge and service base has created a socially-responsible entity that is recognized as a world-leader in the agriculture sulphur and animal nutrition industries.
- WILLIAM BAKER buys the "Baltimore Window-Glass Works" 1843
the oldest glass works in the United States with an outstanding reputation for superior quality.
- HENRY J. and CHARLES J. BAKER, sons of WILLIAM BAKER 1845
becomes connected with these works and in 1850 is enlisted by their father to obtain sources for glass produced in Europe. Henry J. Baker obtains sourcing for the glass trade but cannot return to import glass via the port of Baltimore in competition with his family's firm.
- Rapid Growth Ushers in the Future 1857
Paint, color, and chemical products are added as product lines along with the French window glass product line and the company’s business grew rapidly. In August 1857, a product line that would change the future of H.J. Baker is added: castor oil. H.J. Baker produced the castor oil which becomes common in household medicine chests across America. This, in turn, led to the first fertilizer product offered by H.J. Baker -- pomace, a by-product of castor oil production.
- Demand for Fertilizers 1864
As the Civil War draws to a close, H.J. Baker prepares to meet peacetime demands. H.J. Baker begins producing America’s early fertilizers. These early fertilizers are primarily low analysis organics, including specific analyses for potatoes, onions, corn and other crops.
- A New Century Brings Innovation 1901
The company begins a drive to develop innovative chemical processes. The ultimate result is involvement in many new areas. The development of the citric acid extraction process pioneered by Charles Pfizer sees H.J. Baker playing a key role. The company is also involved in the sulphur extraction process developed by Dr. Herman Frasch. H.J. Baker is destined to become the first international agent for Texas Gulf Sulphur.
- Research Pays Off 1960s
In the 1960s, an important research project comes to fruition. The company announces the development of a significant new product. PRO-PAK® protein concentrate, the fishmeal analog that offers poultry growers the advantage of a highly-consistent protein additive, quickly becomes a marketing success.
- Sulphur Expansion 1980s
To assist the California refineries in producing cleaner fuels, H.J. Baker establishes two sulphur processing facilities to convert molten sulphur by-product into a cost-effective solid product readily exported in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.
- Fertilizer Expansion Taps Global Markets 1990s
While increased worldwide demand for specialty feed products and specialty fishmeal laid the groundwork for expansion of the Feed Products Group, H.J. Baker extends its fertilizer business to encompass a variety of water-soluble products for foliar application.
- H.J. Baker acquires Tiger-Sul Products 2005
In May 2005, H.J. Baker acquires Tiger-Sul Products. Tiger-Sul is a remarkable company with innovative people and outstanding products. H.J. Baker is proud to have them as part of the team and part of the company’s vision of strategic growth. Tiger is the leading producer of pastilled sulphur bentonite in the North American market.
- H.J. Baker expands to support Central and South American Markets 2009
To meet demand for H.J. Baker’s products in Mexico and Central and South America, the company establishes a subsidiary in Guadalajara; H.J. Baker de Mexico S de R.L. de C.V.. Its local presence provides support and service for the increased demand for the company’s feed ingredients.
- H.J. Baker introduces MetaboLys® 2011
After several years in research and development to create a high-quality product that improves both milk quantity and milk components, H.J. Baker has created MetaboLys® by-pass lysine. It is H.J. Baker's goal to offer the dairy industry the most digestible source of lysine and to develop new products and technologies that increase income over feed cost.
- H.J. Baker makes several acquisitions 2013
In response to increased demand, H.J. Baker’s Tiger-Sul Products Co. subsidiary purchases a new sulphur processing facility in Irricana, Alberta, Canada. In April of 2013, H.J. Baker acquires two animal nutrition companies in Brazil, Rumiphos Industria of Mato Grosso do Sul and Mineral Fanton of Sao Paulo.
- Divestitures are made 2016
At the end of 2016 the Tiger-Sul division is sold and H.J. Baker transitions to an LLC. In early 2017, the domestic poultry division is sold.
- H.J. Baker brings back ICEC 2019
The AllNova Brazilian company is sold as the company finalizes the acquisition of the Oxbow Sulphur Group, formerly ICEC, and returns the brand back to the market as a DBA, now ICEC, an H.J. Baker Company.
