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Archer-Daniels-Midland Company

AgribusinessFounded 1902
Reviewed by Swet Parvadiya
Company data updated: September 2026

Founders

Who Founded ADM?

John W. Daniels, George A. Archer · Founded 1902 · HQ today: Chicago, Illinois

Who founded ADM?

ADM was founded by John W. Daniels, George A. Archer in 1902 in Minneapolis, United States. It is now led by Juan R. Luciano.

Founders
John W. Daniels, George A. Archer
Founded
1902
Headquarters
Chicago, Illinois
Number of founders
2
Current CEO
Juan R. Luciano (since 2015)
Where was ADM founded?
ADM was founded in Minneapolis, United States in 1902. wikidata.org
When was ADM founded?
ADM was founded in 1902.
Who started ADM?
ADM was founded by John W. Daniels and George A. Archer.
How old is ADM?
ADM is 124 years old as of 2026.

Founding Story

John W. Daniels formed Daniels Linseed Company in Minneapolis in 1902 to produce linseed oil. George A. Archer joined in 1903, the business became Archer Daniels Linseed Company in 1905, and a 1923 merger with Midland Linseed Products Company created Archer Daniels Midland Company.

John W. Daniels

Co-founder 1902

Background

Daniels formed Daniels Linseed Company in Minneapolis in 1902 to produce linseed oil.

Role at Archer-Daniels-Midland Company

ADM's official history identifies Daniels' 1902 company as the starting point of the business. George A. Archer joined in 1903, and the company adopted the Archer Daniels Linseed name in 1905.

John W. Daniels was born in 1857 in Piqua.

Daniels was born on February 23, 1857 and died on June 8, 1931. He served as chairman of Archer Daniels Midland.

George A. Archer

Co-founder 1903

Background

Archer joined John W. Daniels' linseed-oil company in 1903.

Role at Archer-Daniels-Midland Company

Archer joined one year after Daniels formed the company. His name was added when the business became Archer Daniels Linseed Company in 1905, before the 1923 Midland merger created Archer Daniels Midland.

George A. Archer was born in 1850 in Dayton.

Archer was born about 1850 and died on November 12, 1932. He served as chief executive and chairman of Archer Daniels Midland.

Archer-Daniels-Midland Company: CEO & Leadership History

Full timeline →

Juan R. Luciano

Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

2015 – Present

Became ADM's ninth CEO on January 1, 2015 and remains chair and CEO as of September 2026.

Patricia A. Woertz

President and Chief Executive Officer

2006 – 2014

Joined ADM as CEO and president in April 2006 and served until Juan Luciano took office on January 1, 2015.

G. Allen Andreas

Chief Executive Officer

1997 – 2006

Succeeded Dwayne Andreas and served as chief executive until Patricia Woertz's appointment.

Dwayne O. Andreas

Chief Executive Officer

1970 – 1997

Led ADM for 27 years as the company expanded agricultural processing and international commodity operations.

Keep researching ADM

Who Founded ADM? FAQ

Who founded the company that became ADM in 1902?

John W. Daniels formed Daniels Linseed Company in Minneapolis in 1902 to produce linseed oil. George A. Archer joined the company in 1903.

How did the merger with Midland Linseed Products occur in 1923?

In 1923, the Archer-Daniels Linseed Company acquired the Midland Linseed Products Company, officially incorporating under the name Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM).

When did ADM pioneer soybean processing in the United States?

In 1929, ADM entered the nascent soybean industry by opening its first soybean processing plant in Chicago, pioneering industrial soy protein extraction and commercial soybean oil refining in America.

Who was Shreve Archer and how did he lead ADM's early expansion?

Shreve Archer, son of co-founder George Archer, served as ADM's first President from 1923 until 1947, leading the company's expansion into grain storage, flour milling, and processing across the Midwest.

Why did ADM establish its major industrial operations in Decatur, Illinois?

In 1939, ADM opened its large soybean processing plant in Decatur, Illinois, which grew into the 'Soy Capital of the World' and the world's largest contiguous grain processing complex.

How did ADM invent Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP) in the 1960s?

In the 1960s, ADM food scientists in Decatur invented Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP), a patented extruded soy flour product that transformed meat-extending and commercial plant-based foods.

What original founding values still guide ADM today?

The founders established a commitment to unlocking the power of nature to enrich the quality of life, connecting agricultural producers with global consumers through reliable, ethical supply chains.

When did ADM list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange?

ADM listed its common shares on the New York Stock Exchange in 1927, establishing an uninterrupted record of public corporate transparency and shareholder dividend distributions lasting nearly a century.

Who founded ADM?

The company was founded by George A. Archer and John W. Daniels, who pioneered early oilseed processing techniques.

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Content is for informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Data sourced from SEC filings, annual reports, and public records. See our full disclaimer and methodology.