A History of Sensient

Sensient Technologies Corporation employs advanced technologies around the world to develop specialty food and beverage systems, cosmetic and pharmaceutical ingredient systems, inkjet and specialty inks, display imaging chemicals and other specialty chemicals. The Company's customers include major international manufacturers representing some of the world's best-known brands.

Sensient Technologies was founded in 1882 as Meadow Springs Distilling Company. In the late 1800s, the Company changed its name to National Distilling Company.

In 1919 Prohibition threatened the Company's existence. By then National Distilling Company had created a business selling yeast and began packaging the product under Red Star Yeast. Accordingly, the Company's name was changed to Red Star Yeast and Products Company.

During the sixties, Red Star Yeast moved from a single product line producer to a highly diversified food company. The Company changed its name to Universal Foods Corporation in 1962 to emphasize the planned growth in operations.

Sensient has paid a regular dividend since 1977. As Universal Foods, it became a member of the New York Stock Exchange in 1977 and remains a member under the ticker symbol SXT.

Kenneth P. Manning, Sensient Technologies' Chairman, President and CEO, joined the Company in 1987 as Group Vice President. When Mr. Manning was named CEO of Universal Foods in 1996, he began steering the Company in a new direction by building upon its strengths and knowledge in the areas of color and flavor, and accelerating its expansion by making strategic acquisitions. Since 1997, the Corporation has acquired 20 companies.

In 2000 Universal Foods changed its name to Sensient Technologies Corporation to reflect its expanded focus. Following this name change, Sensient sold Red Star Yeast in 2001, as part of a strategy to divest itself of unprofitable commodity businesses.

Sensient's acquisitions have dramatically strengthened its existing businesses and allowed it to enter new markets around the world. The acquisitions have provided the foundation for a transformed company whose focus is now on operations. Sensient is a specialty chemicals company that concentrates on core technologies and markets where it can add value.