How Cargill Became the Largest Private Company in the World
The largest private company in Minnesota
Six Minnesota companies were among the 225 that made Forbes’ annual America’s Largest Private Companies list.
To qualify for a spot on the list, companies must
- Must be located in the United States.
- Must have revenue over $2 billion in the last fiscal year.
- Must pay income taxes and employ more than 100 employees.
Based on the qualification above, Cargill is the largest Minnesota-based company. It was founded in 1865, at the end of the civil war, by William Wallace Cargill. His ambition, focus, and determination made Cargill one of the county’s largest private companies and most profitable.
The story behind the brand
The early years: 1865–1929
In 1865, William Wallace Cargill created Cargill in Conver, Iowa, at the end of the McGregor & Western Railroad line. William Cargill was a genius man with a creative man.
In this small town, he bought his first flat grain house. However, he wasn’t content. He wanted to follow the expansion of the railroad, building multi-level storage facilities with conveyor belts that made…
