Company History
A Tradition of Quality, Innovation and Consumer Trust
As America’s favorite tuna, StarKist® represents a 65-year tradition of quality, innovation and consumer trust and is well known for its charismatic brand icon, Charlie® the Tuna, who swam into the hearts of tuna fans in 1961 and is still a fan favorite today.
1900
1910
Yugoslav immigrant Martin J. Bogdanovich buys a fishing boat and begins fishing off the California coast
1918
Bogdanovich and five partners, seeking to profit from the U.S. Government’s World War I procurement of tuna for troops, form French Sardine Co. in San Pedro, California
1942
French Sardine Co. adopts StarKist brand name; during World War II, more than half of the company’s output is bought by the U.S. Government
1944
Martin passes away and his son, Joseph, becomes chief executive
1950
1952
The company opens the largest tuna cannery in the world on Terminal Island in California
1953
The company’s name is changed to StarKist Foods Inc.; 9Lives pet food business brand is established making use of tuna by-products
1960
StarKist Foods Inc. opens a plant in Puerto Rico
1961
Charlie the Tuna debuts in StarKist television commercials
1963
StarKist Food Inc. is acquired by H.J. Heinz Company with Joe Bogdanovich remaining as president; StarKist opens a plant in American Samoa
1980
StarKist becomes the top U.S. tuna brand
1985
High labor costs compared to its Puerto Rico and American Samoa canneries leads StarKist to close the Terminal Island, California plant
1988
Heinz Pet Productions is split off from StarKist with William R. Johnson, future Heinz Chairman, as president
1990
StarKist adopts a “Dolphin Safe” policy
1993
StarKist Seafood recombined with pet products, is relocated to Newport, Kentucky
2000
2000
StarKist relocated to Pittsburgh and introduces tuna in a pouch as the latest in packaging innovation
2002
Del Monte acquired StarKist from Heinz
2008
Dongwon Industries acquires StarKist from Del Monte Foods