Sethness Products Company
In 1880, a 25 year old self-educated immigrant named Charles O. Sethness started a flavor and syrup business in Chicago, Illinois. And from this humble beginning grew the world's largest and most respected manufacturer of caramel color.
By the turn of the century, Sethness Products was producing a caramel color for whiskey by heating crude corn sugar in iron kettles over open fires. C.O. took great care to maintain the consistency of the products, and was constantly checking each batch with a dedication to quality that continues at Sethness to this day.
His three sons - Charles Henry, Walter, and Ralph - decided to work with their father. And even though their production process was simple, they set down principles for quality control that would stand for generations. In 1935, Charles H. Sethness, Jr. took over the leadership of Sethness Products. He was the third generation to be active in the business, and charted the course for Sethness to concentrate exclusively on caramel color.
Through the mid 1940's, Sethness continued to make technological advances such as replacing its iron equipment with stainless steel processing and storage equipment. Also, unique pressure reactors were custom-designed to produce Double-Strength Caramel Color.
In 1965, Sethness constructed the world's largest and most technologically advanced caramel color plant in Clinton, Iowa - close to its major source of raw materials.
In 1973, Charles B. Sethness joined the business, and became the fourth generation to work in the firm. Later, he was joined by his brothers Daniel and Henry.
Today, Sethness Products Company is the world's leading manufacturer of caramel color, serving virtually every segment of the food industry, from soft drinks to convenience food systems. Sethness offers flexible, stable, economical coloring solutions to food processors around the globe.
Sethness Products Company remains proud of its century-old tradition of family ownership and operation. Today, the Sethness family, and all Sethness employees worldwide, remain dedicated to providing the highest quality caramel color which has been the company's hallmark.