Hormel vs Post Holdings: Founders, CEOs and History
Hormel was founded in 1891 by George A. Hormel and is led by Jeffrey M. Ettinger. Post Holdings was founded in 2012 by William P. Stiritz and is led by Nicolas Catoggio.
Company facts
Hormel
- Founded
- 1891
- Headquarters
- Austin, Minnesota
- Current CEO
- Jeffrey M. Ettinger
- Employees
- 20,000
Post Holdings
- Founded
- 2012
- Headquarters
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Current CEO
- Nicolas Catoggio
- Employees
- 13,180
Founders
Hormel
George A. Hormel
George A. Hormel (1860-1946) founded Geo. A. Hormel & Co. in Austin, Minnesota in 1891. He established a small meatpacking facility that heavily emphasized minimizing waste, utilizing every part of the hog.
Post Holdings
William P. Stiritz
William P. Stiritz is the founding Chairman and CEO of the modern Post Holdings. When Ralcorp spun off its Post cereal business in February 2012, Stiritz took charge of the new company and began the acquisition strategy that later added Michael Foods and MOM B…
CEOs and their tenures
Hormel
- Joel W. Johnson1993–2005
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
He moved Hormel toward branded and convenience foods. Jeffrey Ettinger succeeded him at the start of 2006.
Source - Jim Snee2016–2025
Former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Snee broadened Hormel into snacking, but his final years were marked by commodity inflation, turkey weakness and falling profits. He retired as CEO in July 2025 and agreed to stay on as an advisor during the transition.
Source - John Ghingo2025–present
President; CEO effective October 26, 2026
As CEO-elect he is focused on priority brands, foodservice growth and portfolio shaping, including the Brakebush chicken acquisition.
Source - Jeffrey M. Ettinger2025–2026
Interim Chief Executive Officer
As interim CEO he oversaw the Transform and Modernize cost program, the Brazil divestiture and the Brakebush agreement, while adjusted earnings returned to growth in fiscal 2026.
Source
Post Holdings
- William P. Stiritz2012–2014
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
As the legendary Chairman and former CEO, the highly revered financial architect completely defined the company's complex, private-equity-style corporate structure.
Source - Robert V. Vitale2014–present
Executive Chairman (CEO 2014-2026)
Previously Post's CFO; from October 1, 2026 advises on capital allocation as Executive Chairman.
Source - Matthew J. Mainer2022–present
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
As CFO, he steers the company's aggressive, highly acquisitive capital allocation strategy, acting as the primary architect behind its massive M&A playbook.
Source - Nicolas Catoggio2026–present
President and Chief Executive Officer
Former Boston Consulting Group Managing Director and Senior Partner who advised Post on M&A diligence and integrations before joining.
Source
Timeline: Hormel and Post Holdings side by side
1891Hormel
George A. Hormel & Company Founded
George A. Hormel starts the company in Austin, Minnesota.
1937Hormel
SPAM Introduced
Hormel introduces SPAM, creating one of the world's most recognizable shelf-stable protein brands.
1985Hormel
Austin Plant Strike
Workers at the Hormel plant in Austin, Minnesota, went on strike in August 1985 in a dispute that lasted into 1986.
1993Hormel
Renamed Hormel Foods
Geo. A. Hormel and Company was renamed Hormel Foods Corporation in 1993.
2001Hormel
Jennie-O Acquisition
Hormel expands its turkey platform through Jennie-O Turkey Store.
2012Post Holdings
Post Holdings Spin-Off
Post completed its separation from Ralcorp and began trading on the NYSE.
2013Hormel
Skippy Acquisition
Hormel acquires Skippy, adding a major peanut-butter brand to the portfolio.
2013Post Holdings
Premier Nutrition Acquired
Post bought Premier Nutrition, the maker of Premier Protein, in 2013.
2014Post Holdings
Michael Foods Acquisition
Post expanded into egg products and foodservice through Michael Foods.
2015Hormel
Acquired Applegate Farms
Hormel Foods acquired Applegate Farms for $775 million. Hormel executed a strategic acquisition of Applegate Farms for $775 million to capture the rapidly growing consumer demand for natural, organic, and antibiotic-free premium meat products.
2015Post Holdings
MOM Brands Acquisition
Post broadened its cereal portfolio with MOM Brands.
2017Post Holdings
Weetabix Acquisition
Post added the U.K. Weetabix cereal business.
2018Post Holdings
Bob Evans Acquisition
Post expanded refrigerated retail and foodservice exposure.
2019Post Holdings
BellRing Brands IPO
Post listed its active-nutrition business as BellRing Brands in October 2019.
2021Hormel
Planters Acquisition
Hormel acquires the Planters snack nuts portfolio from Kraft Heinz.
2021Post Holdings
Peter Pan Acquired
Post bought the Peter Pan peanut butter brand from Conagra in January 2021.
2022Post Holdings
BellRing Brands Distribution
Post distributed most of its stake in BellRing Brands to its shareholders in March 2022.
2023Post Holdings
Pet Food Brands Acquired
Post bought Rachael Ray Nutrish, 9Lives, Kibbles 'n Bits and other pet food brands from J.M. Smucker in 2023 for about $1.2 billion.
2025Hormel
CEO Transition
John Ghingo is elevated to president and Jeffrey M. Ettinger becomes interim CEO effective July 14, 2025.
2025Hormel
FY2025 Net Sales of $12.106B
Hormel reports FY2025 net sales of $12.106 billion and net earnings attributable to Hormel Foods of $478.197 million.
2025Post Holdings
8th Avenue Acquired
Post acquired the remaining interest in 8th Avenue Food & Provisions.
2026Hormel
Brazil Divestiture
Hormel agreed to sell its Brazil (Ceratti) business in Q3 fiscal 2026; the sale closed early in Q4.
2026Hormel
Brakebush Agreement
Hormel agreed to buy value-added chicken company Brakebush Brothers for about $1.055 billion.
2026Post Holdings
CEO Transition
Nicolas Catoggio became President and CEO on October 1, 2026.
Acquisitions
Hormel
- Brakebush Brothers2026$1.1B
- Planters2021$3.4B
- Applegate Farms2015$775M
- Skippy2013$700M
- Jennie-O Turkey Store2001Undisclosed
Post Holdings
- 8th Avenue Food & Provisions2025Undisclosed
- Pet Food Portfolio (J.M. Smucker)2023$1.2B
- Bob Evans Farms2018$1.5B
- Weetabix2017Undisclosed
- MOM Brands (Malt-O-Meal)2015$1.1B
- Michael Foods2014$2.5B
Questions about Hormel vs Post Holdings
Who is the CEO of Hormel Foods Corporation and Post Holdings, Inc.?
Hormel Foods Corporation is led by Jeffrey M. Ettinger and Post Holdings, Inc. is led by Nicolas Catoggio. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Hormel Foods Corporation founded vs Post Holdings, Inc.?
Hormel Foods Corporation was founded in 1891 — 121 years before Post Holdings, Inc., which was founded in 2012. Hormel Foods Corporation's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Post Holdings, Inc..
How many employees does Hormel Foods Corporation have compared to Post Holdings, Inc.?
Hormel Foods Corporation employs approximately 20,000 people, while Post Holdings, Inc. employs approximately 13,180. Hormel Foods Corporation has the larger workforce at 20,000 employees, compared to Post Holdings, Inc.'s 13,180. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Hormel Foods Corporation and Post Holdings, Inc. headquartered?
Both Hormel Foods Corporation and Post Holdings, Inc. are headquartered in United States. Their local rules and tax obligations may still differ.
Who founded Hormel Foods Corporation and Post Holdings, Inc.?
Hormel Foods Corporation was founded by George A. Hormel. Post Holdings, Inc. was founded by William P. Stiritz.
Which company has a longer operating history — Hormel Foods Corporation or Post Holdings, Inc.?
Hormel Foods Corporation has been operating for approximately 135 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Post Holdings, Inc. has been in operation for around 14 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Hormel vs Post Holdings overview