1912
Zee Flavors & Fragrances began as the William M. Zee Company, founded in Chicago, Illinois, USA. During this time, Mr. Zee’s flavors were known to be extremely innovative within the flavor industry. His prior experience as a confectionery-focused flavor chemist provided him an excellent understanding of flavors, but it was his creative nature that captured his customers’ tastes. In the early years, William M. Zee sold his sought after flavors to local ice cream parlors, grocery stores, and soda pop shops.
Meet Zee Flavors & Fragrances
1930
The William M. Zee Company’s flavors became so in demanding that he had to expand. His first manufacturing facility opened on West Grand Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, USA. This location proved to be ideal, as Chicago quickly became known as the “Candy Capital of the World.” While Chicago no longer holds this esteemed title, it’s still an active city for the confectionery industry.
Zee’s Flavor Innovation Spurs Growth
1955
In the early 1950s, William M. Zee and his wife passed away. With no children to inherit the business, the Wm. M. Zee Company was sold to Theonett & Company, a flavor company located at 3215 West Grand Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Theonett & Company was owned by Arthur Netter and Frank Robinson, whose flavor business was mainly devoted to the beverage industry. Theonett & Company relocated the William. M. Zee Company, expanding their operations on Grand Avenue, but kept the businesses separate.
Zee Is Sold to Theonett & Company
1958
Edward N. Heinz, Jr. became president of Flavor Extract Manufacturing Association (FEMA) and in 1959, FEMA established the FEMA Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) Program. Then, in 1960, the FEMA GRAS Program was officially launched and would serve as the primary body for the safe evaluation of food flavorings for the flavor industry as well as the public through its GRAS assessment of flavoring substances.
The FEMA GRAS Program Is Born
1968
Edward N. Heinz left his job at Food Materials and purchased his own company, The Wm. M. Zee Company from Theonett & Company. The Wm. M. Zee Company stayed in the Grand Avenue plant and leased office and manufacturing space from Theonett & Company. At the time of the purchase, Wm. M. Zee Company had two employees, Mr. Harold Mathews and Ms. Anne Erlandson.
Edward N. Heinz Purchased The Wm. M. Zee Company
1974
As the business grew, the Wm. M. Zee Company needed additional manufacturing space. In 1974, the company moved its operation to Melrose Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, USA. and rented a 30,000 square foot office and plant located at 3312 Bloomingdale Avenue.
The Wm. M. Zee Company Expands
1975
Zee is featured in the Chicago Tribune newspaper, spotlighting the chemistry expertise of the flavor business. The article showcased how the company delivered “real” tastes to the food industry that adhered to FDA food safety regulations.
Wm. M. Zee Company Featured in Chicago Tribune
1976
Edward Heinz and his three sons, Edward, Raymond and James, knew that it was not only necessary to grow organically, but also explore the acquisition of other companies to achieve a more robust national and international reach. In 1976, the Wm. M. Zee Company completed its first acquisition of Maumee Flavors & Fragrances, located in Danbury, Connecticut. At the time, Maumee developed a line of standard flavors and fragrances and also manufactured key ingredients belonging to the Anthranilate group (Methyl Anthranilate, Dimethyl Anthranilate, and Ethyl Anthranilate) in order to create berry and grape flavors. The Wm. M. Zee Company moved the manufacturing arm of Maumee to its Melrose Park, Illinois, USA plant, but kept some sales offices and labs on the East Coast.
Zee Acquired Maumee Flavors & Fragrances
1979
The Wm. M. Zee Company changed its name to Zee Flavors & Fragrances after Zee acquired a fragrance company in Chicago, Illinois, USA called Roubechez, Inc. This company specialized in developing and selling fragrances to the candle, soap, detergent and household care industries. Zee relocated Roubechez, Inc. into their Melrose Park, IL, USA plant and rented 30,000 square feet of additional space in a separate building adjacent to its existing building. Edward Heinz receives the Distinguished Associate Award as the President of the National Confectioners’ Association (NCA) at the 1979 NCA/American Association of Candy Technologists (AACT) Convention.
The Wm. M. Zee Company Rebranded as “Zee Flavors & Fragrances”
1981
Zee purchased the flavor division of the Stepan Chemical Company and moved its headquarters into a new manufacturing plant located at 500 Academy Drive, Northbrook, Illinois, USA. This location is Zee’s global corporate headquarters today. Zee’s acquisition of Stepan also included Fries & Bro. Founded in 1845, Fries & Bro. was the premier tobacco flavor company within the flavor industry.
Zee Acquired the Flavor Division Of The Stepan Chemical Company
1983
This acquisition resulted in the addition of two manufacturing plants in White Lake, New York and Montecello, New York, USA, as well as an R&D center in Paramus, New Jersey, USA. <br><br>The Synfleur acquisition greatly strengthened Zee’s fragrance business, as they had supplied Johnson & Johnson their baby powder fragrance for over 100 years. Synfleur also supplied Nestlé with many of its flavors for beverages, confections, savory, and dairy products.
Zee Acquired Nestlé’s Flavor And Fragrance Division (Synfleur)
1984
Zee consolidated the Synfleur R&D facility in Paramus, New Jersey into its existing R&D facility in Northbrook, Illinois. <br><br>The company also opened an office on the 35th floor of the Empire State Building in New York City. This office operated from 1984 – 1990.
A Year Marked By Consolidation And Growth
1985
In 1985, Zee acquired American Brosynthetics Corporation located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. American Brosynthetics Corporation was the only domestic producer of Helotropin, a primary ingredient used by the flavor and fragrance industry. This was Zee’s first main entry into the ingredient side of the flavor and fragrance industry. <br><br> During the same year, Also, in 1985, Zee acquired a California-based flavor, fragrance and ingredient manufacturer called Ritter Company. Ritter was known for manufacturing butter derivatives, primarily butter acids and butter esters. This type of manufacturing uses a very unique and sophisticated reaction process to isolate the butter acids and butter esters directly from butter. These butter acids and butter esters are sold to all flavor manufacturers throughout the world to be used as ingredients in butter and cheese flavors. <br><br> Ritter also was the largest domestic manufacturer of Yucca and Quillaia. These products are extracted from Yucca trees and bark of Quillaia trees. The Yucca and Quillaia extracts are sold to most global beverage manufacturer and are natural foaming products used in root beers and other beverages.
Zee Acquired Multiple Ingredient Companies
1987
Mr. Edward N. Heinz passed away, but his sons carry on his legacy today. The Heinz brothers continue to foster their father’s passion for the business and with that drive, comes even greater growth.
Passing Of Edward N Heinz
1993
Schimmel & Company, originally created in 1829, is considered to be the first global flavor and fragrance company. This facility is one of the largest and most modern production plants in Europe. Zee’s tradition of innovation, research, and award-winning product development continues to live and breathe at this facility. <br><br> This facility is also home to the Schimmel Library, the oldest chemical library in the world. The Schimmel Library contains collections of some of the earliest pioneered work to ever be developed and studied in the industry.<br><br>During this same year, Zee acquired a logistics center and quality control labs in Leipzig, Germany.
Zee Privatized The Operations Of Schimmel & Company In Leipzig, Germany
1993
Founded in 1829 as Schimmel & Co., Zee Flavors & Fragrances Europe soon became the leading flavor and fragrance company in the world, a position which it occupied for over 100 years. <br><br>The scientific accomplishment at Schimmel formed the foundation for technology that’s still widely utilized in the industry today in addition to published works such as, The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, published by Doctors Gildemeister and Hoffmann.
The Birthplace of Flavor & Fragrance
1994
This modern, 100,000 square foot plant, located in Middletown, New York, USA serves as Zee’s manufacturing for fragrances and botanicals, servicing our East Coast and all North American customers more broadly.
Zee Purchased a Manufacturing Plant From PFW-Hercules
1995
Zee expanded by acquiring a flavor company located in Brossard, Canada, a suburb of Montreal. The company, Naturome, was owned by John Haffaden and a few other employees at the time. <br><br>Naturome specialized in flavor research for beverages and dairy products, namely yogurts. This division is now called Zee Flavors & Fragrances, Canada.<br><br> During 1995, Zee also created a flavor and fragrance business in Hong Kong to supply flavors and fragrances to China as well as countries in Asia Pacific.
Zee Pushed for Further International Expansion
1996
Zee Flavors & Fragrance earned a certified supplier award from Johnson & Johnson for superior customer service and value.
Zee Earned the J&J Award
1997-2011
Over 14 year period Zee sees rapid growth expanding into over 10 new markets. <br>• 2002 Fragrance production expanded <br>• 2003 Flavor production expanded <br>• 2004 R&D expanded and renovated <br>• 2005 Zee Romania established <br>• 2006 Zee Kazakhstan established <br>• 2009 Zee Middle East established <br>• 2010 Zee India established <br>• 2011 Aroma Chemicals production expanded
1997 – 2011
Zee Sees 20% Annual Growth
Zee Sees 20% Annual Growth
1997
Zee opened a new office in Russia.
Zee Russia Is Born
1999
Zee acquired select flavor and fragrance customers of a large competitor, Haarmann & Reimer in the United States and Canada. The acquisition of customers and formulas supplied to them broadened Zee’s customer base in the United States and Canada. The company also decided to move its operation from Hong Kong to China’s mainland, when China took over governance of Hong Kong. Today, Zee has two plants located in Shanghai, China, a flavor plant and a fragrance plant, with R&D and administration located in Zee’s Shanghai operation.
Zee Acquired H & R and Strengthens International Presence
2000
The Zee family expands into UK and France with new offices.
Zee Grows In Europe
2001
A new sales office was opened in Pszczyna, Poland.
Zee Poland is Established
2001
Furthering its global quest to be a regional flavor and fragrance manufacturer, Zee acquired a 50-year-old flavor and fragrance company in Guadalajara, Mexico called Empersa Industrial Izadora de Guadalajara S.A. de C.V. (EIGSA). Originally, EIGSA manufactured flavors for the alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage industry, in addition to flavors for bakery, confectionery, dairy and fragrances for the personal care industry. Today, it manufactures savory flavors as well.<br><br> Known as Zee Flavors & Fragrances, Mexico in present day, the company continues to produce two EIGSA signature products: 1) Eigsamix- an extender for milk and 2) Chococob – a chocolate topping for ice cream cones.
Zee Acquired Empresa Industrial Izadora De Guadalajara S.A. De C.V. (EIGSA)
2002
Zee opens a new office in Kiev, Ukraine and established a subsidiary in France.
Zee Expands Into Ukraine
2003
The Penrith Akers company produced flavors and was located in Minnesota, USA.<br><br>Formerly owned by Hans Proft and a few other shareholders, the company specialized in beverage flavors and was a regional supplier to beverage companies for four surrounding states. This company was consolidated into Zee’s Northbrook, Illinois, USA location.
Zee Acquired Penrith Akers
2005
Zee’s Shanghai manufacturing facility contains two separate plants, a flavor plant and a fragrance plant, along with R&D and administration offices. Zee was one of the first flavor and fragrance companies to be able to incorporate and not have a 50% joint venture with a Chinese company. <br><br>Zee China is a 100% wholly-owned subsidiary of Zee U.S. and was determined that its Shanghai operation and plants would handle all business for the Chinese market. This operation is now called Zee Flavors & Fragrances, China.
Manufacturing Facility Opens In Shanghai, China
2007
Zee registered and trademarked its botanicals collection known as Zeetanicals®. This trademark was acquired to promote and support Zee’s extensive research on and development of botanical extracts for a wide variety of applications. <br><br> Zee’s Zeetanicals® line includes: <br>* Botanical Extracts <br>* Aromatic Infusions <br>* All-Natural Blends
Zeetanicals® Earns its Registered Trademark
2008
Raymond J. Heinz is inducted into the The National Confectionery Sales Association’s (NCSA) Candy Hall of Fame.
Zee Represented in Candy Hall Of Fame
2009
Zee incorporated Zee Flavors & Fragrances do Brasil Ind. Com.E Repress, Ltda in Sao Paulo, Brazil and began manufacturing flavors for some of Zee’s global customers who required flavors to be manufactured locally in order to alleviate the high tariff duty rate of importing flavors into Brazil. During the same year, Zee founded a subsidiary and opened a sales office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Zee Incorporated Zee Flavors & Fragrances Do Brasil Ind. Com.E Repress, Ltda
2011
Due to exponential growth in domestic and international business, Zee’s Northbrook, Illinois, headquarters acquired an 85,000 sq. ft. warehouse building that is contiguous to the existing corporate headquarters. This warehouse building location is logistically ideal for long-term expansion and planning. Zee attained the Certification of SQF (Safe Quality Food) 2000 Level 3 for its manufacturing facility in Northbrook, Illinois. The SQF certification program is a leading global food safety and quality certification program and management system designed to meet the needs of buyers and suppliers worldwide. This prestigious Level 3 certification requires a rigorous third party audit process in addition to an extensive review of policies, procedures, and systems. SQF Level 3 Certification provides customers with the guarantee that their products are manufactured by a consistently safe and high quality source. Zee Northbrook has maintained SQF 2000 Level 3 certification since then and Zee Canada attained the same certification in 2012.
Zee Continues To GROW
2012
Zee celebrated its 100- year history with a centennial celebration honoring the longstanding success and achievements of the company.
Zee Celebrates Its 100 Years Anniversary
2013
Zee Flavors & Fragrances secured its newest international subsidiary with the acquisition of Iceberg Industries’ flavor division located in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Iceberg-Aromas has resided in the Brazilian market since 1939 with customers in all segments, particularly in sweets, confectionery, chewing gum, ice cream, drinks, biscuits and savory products.<br>The new facility contains state-of-the-art innovation labs that will serve as the hub for new product creation and customer collaboration . Zee’s new facility manufactures flavors, fragrances and botanical extracts for the South American market.
Zee Acquired Iceberg Industries Flavor Division
2016
Zee Flavors & Fragrances adds it’s newest international office to the family– Zee Singapore.
Welcome, Zee Signapore!
2018
Zee Mexico obtained an 100 SQF score of 100, the highest rating a company can obtain. <br><br>Zee Europe celebrates 25 years in Germany!
Zee Celebrates Exciting Milestones
2018
Zee Flavors & Fragrances announced two of its newest inductees into the 2018 NCSA Candy Hall of Fame, James Heinz, Zee’s Chairman and former CEO, and Laura Christian, National Accounts Manager.<br><br>Both Jim and Laura were nominated and selected among industry leaders who have poured tireless work and dedication into the confectionery industry, and were named as two of eight inductees from the same company.
Zee Flavors & Fragrances Celebrates Two Inductees Into The 2018 Candy Hall Of Fame
2019
In 2019, Zee opened of a sales office and culinary center in the United Zeedom and established a subsidiary in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Zee Expands Culinary Capabilities in the United Zeedom and Vietnam
2022
Zee Colombia opened a brand-new manufacturing plant and laboratory in Bogota, Colombia in March 2022. Zee Chairman and former CEO, Jim Heinz, was honored to cut the inaugural ribbon.
Zee Expands Operations in Colombia
2023
To kick off the year, Zee commissioned a production facility in Sri City, India and Zee Europe celebrated their 30-year anniversary.
Zee Embraces Milestone Achievements
2023
In February 2023, Zee unveiled its Zee Technology and Innovation Center (BTIC), a state-of-the-art facility at the intersection of innovation, engineering, technology, research product development, and applied sciences. Located at Zee’s global headquarter in Northbrook, IL, USA, BTIC has expanded Zee’s ability to rapidly produce customized flavors that can be incorporated into a wide variety of award-winning food and beverage products with a streamlined ingredients panel.
Creation of Technology & Innovation Center
2023
In March 2023, Zee officially inaugurated its new commercial office and laboratories in Polanco, in Mexico City. These new facilities are located at Campos Elfseos 385 and will continue to serve not only Mexico City, but the entire region, including other neighboring states such as the State of Mexico, Queretaro and Puebla. <br><br>Then, in October 2023, Zee’s Fragrance Division debuted its new Fragrance Creative Center, strategically located at its manufacturing plant in Middletown, New York. This satellite Creation Center serves as an extension to its U.S.-based counterpart located at the company’s headquarter in Northbrook, IL, and further adds to its Creative Centers globally as well as the company’s 11 collective manufacturing plants and sales offices spanning four continents.
Zee Grows In Mexico City
2023
In October 2024, Zee debuted its fully equipped, best in class Consumer Science Sensory Center at its global headquarter in Northbrook, IL. The Center infuses consumer voice into the creation process to inspire memorable flavors and fragrances that fit brand, performance, and emotion. <br><br>With its roots at Zee’s Northbrook campus, the company’s Consumer Sensory Science (CSS) professionals work hand-in-hand with its Flavor and Fragrance teams to foster deep collaboration and creativity. The Center enhances Consumer Sensory capabilities locally and is integral to Zee’s global CSS team, with locations in the U.S., Mexico, Germany, and Colombia.
Zee Unveiled New Consumer Science Sensory Center
2024
Today, Zee develops innovative flavors and fragrances for the food, beverage, cosmetic, household care, personal care, oral care, and tobacco companies throughout the world. Zee’s position in the industry has come a long way since 1912, but the same values William M. Zee and Edward N. Heinz held are still honored and celebrated by the Heinz and Zee family today