Erie Foods International Inc.
Over the years we have seen many changes in the development and use of casein and milk proteins. During the late 1930's, The Erie Casein Dryers manufactured casein domestically and supplied caseins best suited for industrial applications. While finding a niche in paints and textiles, casein was also found in synthetics such as combs, billiard balls and buttons.
An abrupt halt of the domestic manufacture of casein in the late 1940's, forced us to shift our manufacturing efforts elsewhere. A joint processing venture was initiated with a plant in Australia, which later became part of Murray Goulburn Cooperative Co. Ltd. This manufacturing relationship still continues today.
Casein's status was markedly elevated in the 1950's with USDA standards for edible caseins. Given the name ECCO Brand, ERIE's caseins contributed many functional properties to improve formulations for bakery, dairy products and comminuted meats. This led to more advancements during the 1960's, in which Erie Foods led the charge with it's ability to convert caseins to caseinates. We saw a further gain in market share as caseinates were now opening up new markets such as coffee creamers, frozen desserts, dietary supplements and pharmaceutical preparations.
The 1970's and 1980's were pivotal growth periods in Erie Food's history. We saw the establishment of ERIE AG Switzerland as well as joint ventures in Australia, Ireland, Sweden and Denmark. This vast global expansion paved the way for the construction, in 1980, of a multimillion dollar research and manufacturing facility in Rochelle, Illinois. Our Rochelle facility boasts a "Superior" rating from the American Institute of Bakers and has been FDA approved as a drug facility. This allows us to produce a wide range of milk proteins for the food and pharmaceutical industries.
As Erie Foods International entered the 1990's, we saw the development of our subsidiary company, INTERMIX Australia, Pty. Ltd., in Beenleigh, Australia. INTERMIX has been a primary mover in global expansion to Australia, Asia and the Pacific Rim, manufacturing a wide range of products from infant formulas to ice cream premixes. The late 1990's has demanded more innovative products which Erie Foods has supplied with a collaborative manufacturing venture with Dynamix, India as well as an extended product line developed with Murray Goulburn Cooperative.
Through its highly qualified and dedicated staff, Erie Foods International has firmly established its global presence through effective leadership and manufacturing innovation. Recognized as one of the world's leading manufacturers of specially processed ingredients for the food industry, ERIE's distribution centers reach around the world and supply markets as varied as its global population.
With new avenues opening for product development in applications from functional foods to nutraceuticals to pharmaceuticals, ERIE will continue to explore the best ways to meet the demands for more responsible consumer products.