Beech-Nut

The Beech-Nut Packing Company was founded in 1891 as a meatpacking plant in Canajoharie, New York. Most of the initial investment came from two local families, the Lipes and the Arkells. When the board of directors chose the officers for the new company, then known as the Imperial Packing Company, Bartlett Arkell was designated president and Walter Lipe chosen to be vice president. The company was named after the hotel in New York where Arkell lived at that time. From the start, Imperial Packing produced bacon, sliced ham, and beef under two brand names, Erie and Beech-Nut. In 1898 Imperial Packing reincorporated as Beech-Nut Packing Company. Informal corporate histories suggest that the change occurred after the executives held a contest at the plant to select a less formal, more national name for the company.