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Hubbard Mills
Presented By:
Ryan Kirchner
Aaron Pilger
Hubbard Mills
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In 1878, a business that was to
become Mankato’s largest industry
was founded on a suggestion by
G.M. Palmer to R.D. Hubbard that
a flour mill could serve the
community instead of shipping the
wheat out on the railroad.
Hubbard Mills
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Hubbard originally started as a firm between three individuals who’s names were
Hubbard, Palmer, and William Pearson.
Hubbard had the financial resources, Palmer had the business knowledge, and
Pearson contributed his milling and engineering skills.
The originators first ideas were put together through dreams and hopes that Mankato
could soon serve a purpose to its community.
The original name of the company was Mankato Mill Company which gradually
changed to R.D. Hubbard Milling Company in 1894 when the Mankato Mill Company
sold its assets to Hubbard.
Hubbard’s days came to a halt fast when he died on a business trip in 1905.
Hubbard Milling was bought soon after by Palmer who was president of the First
National Bank.
Not long after buying the company, Palmer was appointed president of the company.
The early years for Hubbard Milling were looking bright as new markets opened up
and the economy was booming.
Hubbard Milling soon became a cornerstone throughout the nation and overseas.
Hubbard Milling is not only known for milling flour, but also for making other
agricultural products.
The Thriving Industry
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Through the help of George M. Palmer, Hubbard Milling became one of the
most productive industries in the Midwest.
Hubbard Milling was in operation through the tough times of both World
Wars and even through the depression.
In December 24, 1919, the history was changed for the thriving industry of
Hubbard Mills.
The purchase of all but 4 of 5000 shares of the company were bought by
Palmer.
Now that Palmer was in complete control, the company made a turn for the
better by placing a wide variety of Hubbard products on the price lists, and
extensive advertising and sales campaigns were carried out.
The variety of products that were introduced was wheat cereals, pancake
flour, dog food, and livestock feeds.
Milling of Flour
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There are two basic techniques used in the grinding of wheat into flour.
The two techniques are either done by stone or metal roller grinding.
Some may think that Hubbard Milling made there debut by coming out with
only the metal roller.
That statement is false, Hubbard uses both of the rollers even to this day
for the reasons of different kinds of the bread.
For instance, if you want whole wheat, Hubbard will use the stone rollers.
If you want white bread, the metal roller will be used.
Hubbard uses quality wheat from the states of Minnesota, North Dakota,
South Dakota, Montana, and parts of Canada.
Much of the flour is shipped to the east coast for reasons of a better quality
flour.
The absolute best flour comes straight out of the Midwest and South
Central Canada making Mankato the central location for the Milling of flour.
Milling of Flour
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Mankato’s mills today produce 7500 to 8000 sacks of
white flour per day.
They also produce 900 to 1200 sacks of whole wheat
flour per day.
This sum of sacks is up from 5500 per day that were
produced in the middle 1980’s.
The total production of flour is almost triple of what was
produced in the early 1900’s.
Poultry and Livestock Feeds
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In 1928, Palmer came out with a
great idea to create what he calls
the “Sunrise Concentrate”.
This act supported the superstructure of Hubbard Milling Co. in
it’s Centennial Year.
“Sunrise Concentrate” was
originally formulated by Dr. John
M. Evvard of Iowa State.
Sunrise Concentrate is a type of
feed that contains all the main
ingredients of any other type of
feed but with added vitamins and
minerals to better your quality of
Poultry and Livestock.
Poultry and Livestock Feeds
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The Sunrise concentrate was the first of its kind made in 1928 and
became one of the most vital components to Hubbard Mills.
The demand for more of Palmers feeds came about again with the
controversy of turkeys needing a high protein feed.
Palmer then came through with a high protein feed that satisfied the
turkey farmers needs.
By having sunrise concentrate, costs were cut also.
This was done by distributing the grain according to its formula to
local elevators cutting costs of handling, freight charges,
manufacture costs, and selling costs.
In the end, you have a product that is profitable to both the farmer
and the company.
History of the Hubbard Mill
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This is the original building
was constructed in 1878.
The building was originally 5
stories high and the 6th level
was added in 1906.
In 1919, the white building
behind it was added.
In 1995, the silos behind the
white building were built.
Sale to Cargill
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In 1984, Hubbard Mills was
sold to Cargill Incorporated.
The sale was favorable to both
parties.
Cargill will continue to grind
the same product and serve
the same customers but with a
better form of management
skills.
Cargill employs approximately
200 employees in its mills and
offices in Mankato today.
Outlook on the Future
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Indeed I left out some information about the middle 1990’s. The
reason for this is because there was not a lot of change. Flour
milling has not changed that much throughout the years as one of
the individuals from Cargill told me. Cargill is now the new name of
what was called Hubbard Mills. Cargill, as I have researched, seems
to be a company that is always on the rise as well as its profit
margins. From what I believe, Hubbard mills is in good hands with
Cargill.