Harlan Bakeries Historical Timeline

  • 1990The company was founded under the name D & H Corp. of America, Inc., in November of 1990. Hugh Harlan, President; Doug Harlan, Vice-President/Secretary. The company was founded with the intent to supply bagels on a wholesale level to supermarkets, delis, club accounts, etc. Production levels in 1990 were approximately 600-800 dozen per day and production was limited to 4-5 days per week.
  • 1991In August, the name was changed to Harlan Bakeries, LLC (HBI). Developed in-store/frozen food section branded label "Bigger Better Bagel".
  • 1992Marsh Supermarket first "true blood" quantity frozen food sale.
  • 1993Introduced "Giant Gourmet Bagel" in the refrigerated section.
  • 1994September. The company purchased a 60,000 sq. ft. bakery that had to be completely remodeled in the town of Avon, Indiana, just west of Indianapolis' city limits.
  • 1995Operations at new facility started. Production increased from 65,000 dozen a day to more than 100,000 dozen daily on two lines – one baked and one frozen dough line.
  • 1996

    Revenue $16.6 million.

    Growth 100 Award by the Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University.
  • 1997

    January 1997 - 220 employees.

    Growth 100 Award by the Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University.

    Indianapolis Business Journal 40/Under 40 – Doug H. Harlan and Hugh P. Harlan, Award winners.

    Added new holding freezer (box #2/docks/shipping offices).
  • 1998

    Growth 100 Award by the Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University.

    American Institute of Baking, Certificate of Achievement, Awarded Excellent Rating.
  • 1999

    Growth 100 Award by the Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University.

    American Institute of Baking, Certificate of Achievement, Awarded Superior Rating.
  • 2000

    Ernst & Young, LLP's Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

    Growth 100 Award by the Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University.

    Purchased Kyger Bakery Products, Inc. (KBPI) February.

    American Institute of Baking, Certificate of Achievement, Awarded Superior Rating.
  • 2001

    Recipient of the National Award from McDonald's for Product Process Improvement in May.

    Added 25,000 square feet frozen storage warehouse in May.

    Growth 100 Award by the Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University.

    American Institute of Baking, Certificate of Achievement, Award of Superior.

    Installed frozen raw dough cookie line.
  • 2002

    Purchased A.C.E. Baking Company, Inc. (ACE) of Denver, Colorado, in March. ACE is a producer of fresh and frozen bagels.

    Indiana Chamber of Commerce Safety Award – June. Harlan Bakeries won the category of superior safety record for companies with 500,000 to 1 million-production hours category.

    Harlan partnered with Apple Valley Foods (AVF) in June. Apple Valley Foods is a producer of fresh and frozen fruit pies, and is located in Nova Scotia, Canada.

    American Institute of Baking, Certificate of Achievement, Awarded Superior Rating in August.

    Completed 48,000 square feet of new corporate office space, R&D test kitchen, dry warehouse, and additional manufacturing space in September.

    Growth 100 Award by the Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, October.
  • 2003

    Purchased 120,000 square feet on Georgetown Road for manufacturing plant in March.

    Intermediate Wholesale Baker of the Year, awarded by "Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery" magazine, April issue.

    Food Plants of the Year, awarded by "Refrigerated & Frozen Foods" magazine, April issue.

    Completed 35,000 square feet frozen storage warehouse in July.

    American Institute of Baking, Certificate of Achievement, Awarded Superior Rating in August.

    Growth 100 Award, the Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, November. Harlan is the only business in Indiana to win the Growth 100 Award eight years in a row.
  • 2004

    American Pie Council (APC) awards Kyger Bakery Products, Inc. (KBPI), 9 First Place Blue Ribbons for 9 pie flavors in April. KBPI is a division of Harlan Bakeries, LLC

    Harlan Bakeries, LLC, (HBI) opens their new Indianapolis (GTR) manufacturing facility in June.

    Harlan Bakeries – Avon: American Institute of Baking, Certificate of Achievement, Awarded Superior Rating in October.

    Growth 100 Award the Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University in October. Harlan is the only business in Indiana to win the Growth 100 Award nine years in a row.

    Harlan Bakeries, LLC, (HBI) is honored as one of ten Indianapolis companies to receive "A Blue Chip Award" from the Indianapolis Financial Group (IFG) in November.

    Harlan Bakeries – GT: American Institute of Baking, Certificate of Achievement, Awarded Superior Rating in December.
  • 2005

    Purchased Meyers Bakeries: Hope, Arkansas and Wichita, Kansas, with a combined square footage of approximately 195,000 in March.

    Purchased 68,266 square foot manufacturing facility in the Coors Technology Center, Golden, Colorado, February.

    Spirit Award, Indiana Entrepreneurial Awards of Distinction, Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, October. (Formerly the Growth 100 Awards.) This is the tenth year in a row that Harlan has been recognized for its innovative growth and leadership.

    American Pie Council (APC) awards Harlan Bakeries, LLC 6 First Place Blue Ribbons in April.

    Harlan Bakeries – Avon: American Institute of Baking, Certificate of Achievement, Awarded Superior Rating in October.

  • 2006

    Southern Bakeries, LLC (formerly Meyers Bakeries), Hope, Arkansas location receives Superior Rating for Muffin and Bagel production, shipping, receiving and maintenance departments in April. Southern Bakeries, LLC is a division of Harlan Bakeries, LLC

    Harlan Bakeries, LLC is recognized as one of the TOP 150 Retail & Food Service Processors as published in the March issue of Refrigerated & Frozen Foods magazine, and was ranked 11th in the Bakery category.

    American Pie Council (APC) awards Harlan Bakeries, LLC 12 First Place Blue Ribbons in April.

    Harlan Bakeries – GT: American Institute of Baking, Certificate of Achievement, Awarded Superior Rating in June.

    In September, Harlan Bakeries, LLC is named the 2006 Wholesale Baker of the Year by "Snack Food and Wholesale Bakery" magazine. Harlan is the first company to receive this honor after previously receiving the title of Intermediate Wholesale Baker of the Year (2003).

    Harlan Bakeries, LLC awarded Growth award at Second Annual Indiana Entrepreneurial Awards of Distinction, Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University in October. Recognized as finalist in Entrepreneurial Spirit and Innovation categories. This is the eleventh consecutive year that Harlan has been recognized for entrepreneurial leadership and growth.

    Harlan Bakeries – Avon: American Institute of Baking, Certificate of Achievement, Awarded Superior Rating in November.
  • 2007

    Harlan Bakeries, LLC awarded 12 First Place Blue Ribbons at the 2007 American Pie Council (APC) / Crisco National Pie Championships in April.

    Harlan Bakeries, LLC named one of Refrigerated & Frozen Foods magazine's "Food Plants of the Year" for 2006 – 2007 in its April issue. Additionally, Harlan was listed in the magazine's "Resource Guide to Contract Manufacturers".

    Harlan Bakeries – GT: American Institute of Baking, Certificate of Achievement, Awarded Superior Rating in June.

    Harlan Bakeries, LLC received Spirit Award at 3rd Annual Indiana Entrepreneurial Awards of Distinction held by the Indiana University's Kelley School of Business and the Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
  • 2008

    Harlan Bakeries, LLC announced its reorganization to a limited liability company. As of January 1st 2008, Harlan Bakeries, LLC became Harlan Bakeries, LLC.

    Harlan Bakeries, LLC purchased 200,000 square foot production facility in Effingham, Ill. in January.

    Harlan Bakeries, LLC announced agreement to manufacture new Smart for Life diet cookies, a non-medical weight loss program, introduced by Smart for Life™ Weight Management Centers in March.

    Harlan Bakeries – GT: awarded 13 First Place Blue Ribbons at the 2008 American Pie Council (APC)/Crisco National Pie Championships in April.

    Harlan Bakeries – Avon: American Institute of Baking, Certificate of Achievement, Awarded Superior Rating in April.

    Harlan Bakeries, LLC announced the completion of its expansion project at its Indianapolis production facility, creating 100+ new permanent positions and adding nearly 100,000 square feet of new production, warehousing, and office space in May.

    Harlan Bakeries – Hope: American Institute of Baking, Certificate of Achievement, Awarded Superior Rating in May.

    Harlan Bakeries – Wichita: American Institute of Baking, Certificate of Achievement, Awarded Superior Rating in May.

    Harlan Bakeries – GT: American Institute of Baking, Certificate of Achievement, Awarded Superior Rating in September.
  • 2009

    Harlan Bakeries – Kraft (HBKF) – started producing fruit and crème Bagelfuls.

    Harlan Bakeries – Avon: Awarded the Bimbo (formerly known as George Weston) contract to produce sandwich thins, a substitute for the regular hamburger bun – 100 calories.

    Harlan Bakeries – Avon: American Institute of Baking, Certificate of Achievement, Awarded Superior Rating in July.

    Harlan Bakeries – GT: awarded 4 First Place Blue Ribbons at the 2009 American Pie Council (APC)/Crisco National Pie Championships in May.

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