Our
History

Carl Hilmar Guenther builds a flour mill
near Fredericksburg, Texas.

Threatened by a new steam mill in Fredericksburg,
Carl Hilmar Guenther sells his mill to his father-in-law, purchases a site in the more promising town of San Antonio, and builds a home nearby.

Capacity increases with construction of a second mill.

Steel rollers begin replacing millstones to grind grain,
allowing greater control and greater production.
Other new technology to be implemented included
steam power and the latest sifting equipment.

C.H. Guenther & Son trademarks 12 new flour
brands, including “Texas Pioneer.” White Wings,
soon to be known as “La Paloma,” is also introduced.

A three-story steam-powered mill is added on
the San Antonio River site to replace the production
of the 1868 mill.

Erhard Guenther, Carl Hilmar Guenther's youngest son, becomes
president of Pioneer Flour Mills, how C.H. Guenther & Son
preferred to be known as at this point.

Financing is secured to begin doubling
Pioneer's production capacity over the next 10 years.

Introduction of Breakfast Treat wheat cereal marks
Pioneer’s entry into consumer convenience foods.

Pioneer biscuit mix success leads to a new building for prepared
mixes, soon including cake, pancake and cornmeal mixes.

White Wings Flour Tortilla Mix is introduced
and becomes a fast-selling product.

Company begins marketing to foodservice
and restaurant industries.

After a two-year restoration of the C.H. Guenther home,
built beside the mill in 1859, the Guenther House opens
as a restaurant, store and museum.

Pioneer becomes the world’s first manufacturer of a
convenient nonround, resealable and reusable canister
for baking and biscuit mixes.

White Wings Ready-to-Eat Flour Tortillas are introduced.

Pioneer Frozen Foods is established with the opening of a second frozen facility in Prosperity, South Carolina.

C.H. Guenther & Son becomes a key bun and muffin supplier for McDonald’s in Europe with the acquisition of three bakeries in the UK and Belgium.

Morrison Milling Company, a long-time marketer and
manufacturer of grain-based products, is acquired.

Williams Foods, a leading producer of dry seasoning
mixes and meal-enhancing products, is acquired.

A new bun plant is acquired in the U.K. with the
acquisition of Trousdale Limited.

Pizza Blends acquisition strengthens
custom flour-blending capabilities.

Canadian bun manufacturing capabilities
are established with the acquisition of Golden West Baking and Les Boulangerie Rene.

Tribeca Oven, manufacturer of frozen par-baked artisan breads, acquired.

Plats Du Chef/Cuisine Adventures frozen meals and
snacks manufacturer, based in Montreal, is acquired.

CookieTree Bakeries in Salt Lake City, UT is acquired, establishing capabilities for pre-baked and frozen cookies and desserts.

Mid South Baking Company, with locations in Texas and Mississippi,
and Wback GmbH with two locations in Germany, are acquired.

Baldinger Bakeries, with capabilities for buns, rolls, bagels and specialty items, is acquired

Michael’s Cookies joins the CHG family with extended capabilities for cookies, brownies, and batters

C.H. Guenther expands operations in the U.K. with a new state of the art bakery facility in Coventry supporting our global environmental and sustainability commitments.