McCormick & Company Ringing Closing Bell to Highlight 125th Anniversary

SPARKS, Md., May 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE: MKC) a global leader in flavor, announces Chairman, President and CEO Alan Wilson will ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange to honor the company's 125^th anniversary and mark McCormick's 15^th anniversary on the exchange.  Mr. Wilson will be joined by the McCormick Board of Directors and Management Committee.

"During our 15 years on the exchange, we have expanded into new markets, leveraged innovation to grow our business and evolved into a global leader," said Wilson.  "This year we also commemorate our 125^th anniversary by celebrating the role flavor plays in all of our lives by inspiring flavorful conversation and giving back to communities around the world.  Today we live in a world full of flavor without borders – it's an exciting time to be in the food industry." 

McCormick, a $4 billion global flavor leader, is celebrating 125 years with a year-long story sharing drive that unites its family of brands around the world and helps give back.  All are invited to share their own unique stories at FlavorofTogether.com and with #flavorstory – for every story shared, McCormick will donate $1, up to $1.25 million, to United Way to help feed those in need.

"United Way and McCormick have been partners for more than a century," said Brian Gallagher, President and CEO, United Way Worldwide.  "By working together and sharing stories through their 125^th anniversary project, we are helping feed those who need it and creating opportunities for a better life for all people."

So far McCormick's anniversary program has generated $800,000.  In the first six months of the year, McCormick has received photos showing family traditions around the globe, anecdotes about learning to cook and the experience of trying a new flavor for the first time and more.  Many of McCormick's 10,000 employees worldwide are involved in fundraising projects in support of United Way this year.

Every month through the end of the year, McCormick and its family of brands will be using its annual Flavor Forecast report as the basis for a global social conversation about flavor trends.  There are 125 influential flavor ambassadors:  chefs, food bloggers and culinary luminaries actively participating, and this year's special edition Grilling Flavor Forecast gives a look at outdoor entertaining flavor trends.

McCormick was founded in Baltimore, Md., in 1889, and sold root beer extract door-to-door from a horse-drawn carriage.  Today, McCormick has a leading share of the estimated $10 billion global market for packaged spices and seasonings, with many consumer brands holding a leading position in markets around the world.  McCormick also partners with nine of the top 10 global food and beverage manufacturers and nine of the top 10 global foodservice restaurants. 

About McCormick

McCormick & Company, Incorporated is a global leader in flavor with more than $4 billion in annual sales.  McCormick manufactures, markets and distributes spices, seasoning mixes, condiments and other flavorful products to the entire food industry – retail outlets, food manufacturers and foodservice businesses – in more than 125 countries and territories.  Since Willoughby M. McCormick founded the company selling root beer extract in 1889, McCormick has demonstrated a strong commitment to the communities in which it operates and the planet as a whole.  Innovation in flavor and a clear focus on employee engagement and product quality has allowed McCormick to grow its business globally and become the flavor leader it is today.  For more information, visit www.mccormickcorporation.com.

For information contact:

Corporate Communications:
Lori Robinson (410-527-6004 or [email protected])

SOURCE McCormick & Company, Incorporated