On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the kraft singles across from the article title. This article is about the original company of Kraft Foods that became Mondelēz International following the 2012 split. For the post-split company also called Kraft Foods, see Kraft Foods. Not to be confused with The Kraft Group.

It marketed many brands in more than 170 countries. The company was headquartered in Northfield, Illinois, near Chicago. Kraft was listed on the New York Stock Exchange and became a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average on September 22, 2008, replacing the American International Group. Kraft Foods traced its roots to the National Dairy Products Corporation, formed on December 10, 1923, by Thomas H. The firm was initially set up to execute on a rollup strategy in the fragmented United States ice cream industry. Through acquisitions it expanded into a full range of dairy products. In 1923 he went to Wall Street to convince investment bankers there to finance his scheme for consolidating the United States ice cream industry.

The resulting firm was then listed on the New York Stock Exchange with the offer of 125,000 shares having been oversubscribed. The firm grew quickly through a large number of acquisitions. As is typical in a roll-up strategy, acquisitions were primarily for stock in National rather than cash. Born in Stevensville, Ontario, Canada in 1874, James L. In 1912, the company established its New York City, headquarters to prepare for its international expansion.

By 1914, thirty-one varieties of cheeses were being sold around the U. In 1915, the company had invented pasteurized processed cheese that did not need refrigeration, thus giving a longer shelf life than conventional cheese. In 1916, the company began national advertising and had made its first acquisition—a Canadian cheese company. In 1924, the company changed its name to Kraft Cheese Company and listed on the Chicago Stock Exchange.