Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.
Company History
Lamb Weston History: Founding, Growth & Key Milestones
Founded 1950 in Eagle, Idaho
When was Lamb Weston founded?
Lamb Weston was founded in 1950 in Eagle, Idaho by F. Gilbert Lamb, making it 76 years old.
- Founded
- 1950
- Founding place
- Eagle, Idaho
- Founders
- F. Gilbert Lamb
- Headquarters today
- Eagle, Idaho
- Milestones documented
- 9 (1950–2026)
- Current CEO
- Michael J. Smith
- Acquisitions
- 4
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1950 | Founded in Weston, Oregon |
| 1960 | Water Gun Knife |
| 1988 | Acquired by Conagra |
| 1994 | Lamb-Weston/Meijer Joint Venture |
| 2016 | Conagra spin-off |
| 2018 | Acquired Marvel Packers |
| 2023 | European joint venture consolidated |
| 2024 | ERP disruption and outlook cut |
| 2026 | New chair and CFO; FY2026 results |
- Where was Lamb Weston founded?
- Lamb Weston was founded in Eagle, Idaho in 1950.
- Who founded Lamb Weston?
- Lamb Weston was founded by F. Gilbert Lamb.
- When did Lamb Weston start?
- Lamb Weston was founded in 1950.
- How old is Lamb Weston?
- Lamb Weston is 76 years old as of 2026.
Founding Story
F. Gilbert 'Gib' Lamb founded the company in Weston, Oregon in 1950 as a frozen vegetable processor. In 1960 he developed the Lamb Water Gun Knife, which uses water pressure to push potatoes through a grid of blades and cut uniform fries at high speed. That technology helped the company grow alongside the fast-food industry. Conagra acquired Lamb Weston in 1988 and spun it off as an independent public company in November 2016.
Founders
F. Gilbert Lamb
F. Gilbert 'Gib' Lamb founded the company that became Lamb Weston in Weston, Oregon in 1950, initially processing frozen vegetables. In 1960 he developed the Lamb Water Gun Knife, a system that uses water pressure to propel potatoes through a grid of blades, producing uniform French fries at high speed. The invention became a foundation of industrial fry production. F. Gilbert Lamb was born in 1915.
Key Milestones
Founded in Weston, Oregon
F. Gilbert Lamb starts a frozen vegetable processing business in Weston, Oregon.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgWater Gun Knife
Lamb develops the water-powered cutting system that enables uniform, high-speed fry production.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgAcquired by Conagra
Conagra acquires Lamb Weston, which operates inside the packaged-food group for 28 years.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgLamb-Weston/Meijer Joint Venture
Lamb Weston and the Dutch company Meijer Frozen Foods formed a European joint venture in 1994.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgConagra spin-off
Lamb Weston becomes an independent public company on the NYSE in November 2016.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgEuropean joint venture consolidated
Lamb Weston buys the remaining 50% of Lamb-Weston/Meijer for about $791 million (EUR 700 million), taking full control of its European business.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgERP disruption and outlook cut
A system transition disrupts North American orders; in December the company cuts guidance and names Mike Smith as CEO successor to Tom Werner.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgNew chair and CFO; FY2026 results
Jan Craps becomes Executive Chair and Jim Gray CFO. Fiscal 2026 net sales reach $6.61 billion.
Source: businesswire.comMajor Acquisitions
Marvel Packers
2018Bought an Australian frozen potato processor with processing and storage facilities in Hallam, Victoria, to serve customers in Oceania locally. Terms were not disclosed.
Lamb-Weston/Meijer (remaining 50%)
2023Bought out partner Meijer Frozen Foods' half of the European joint venture formed in 1994 for about $791 million (EUR 700 million).
Crackerjack Foods
2023Expand presence in the Australian market.
Lamb-Weston/Meijer (Remaining 50%)
2023Gained 100% ownership of European joint venture, adding 5 manufacturing facilities.
Keep researching Lamb Weston
Lamb Weston Company History FAQ
When and where was Lamb Weston founded?
Lamb Weston was founded in 1950 in Weston, Oregon, by F. Gilbert 'Gib' Lamb, starting as a small regional frozen vegetable and pea packing plant in the Pacific Northwest.
When did Gib Lamb invent the Water-Gun Knife to transform French fry manufacturing?
In 1960, Gib Lamb invented and patented the Lamb Water-Gun Knife, using high-pressure water streams to shoot whole potatoes through cutting grids, becoming the foundational technology of the global frozen potato industry.
When did Lamb Weston partner with European leader Meijer Frozen Foods?
In 1994, Lamb Weston established the Lamb-Weston/Meijer joint venture in the Netherlands with Meijer Frozen Foods, giving it a manufacturing base serving Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
When did Lamb Weston spin off from Conagra Brands to become an independent public company?
Conagra Brands completed the tax-free spin-off of Lamb Weston Holdings in November 2016, listing it on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker LW.
When did Lamb Weston acquire full ownership of Lamb-Weston/Meijer in Europe?
In 2023 Lamb Weston acquired the remaining 50% of the Lamb-Weston/Meijer joint venture for about $791 million (EUR 700 million), gaining full control of its European operations.
What is Lamb Weston's size today?
Lamb Weston reported $6.61 billion in fiscal 2026 net sales and operates plants in North America, Europe, Argentina, China and Australia.
How did Lamb Weston start?
Lamb Weston was founded in 1950 by F. Gilbert Lamb in Oregon. Initially, it was a simple food processing plant for peas. However, in 1960, Lamb completely revolutionized global fast food. He invented the "Lamb Water Gun Knife"—a highly ingenious device that shot potatoes through a grid of extremely sharp blades using high-pressure water, creating perfectly uniform french fries at massive industrial scale.
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