Scroll through Lamb Weston’s history and latest news and you’ll see our greatest milestones are the innovations and accomplishments that have grown new partnerships and led to shared successes.
Timeline
Discover the history of french fries through Lamb Weston's eyes
1950 - Lamb Weston® Incorporates
F. Gilbert "Gib" Lamb purchases a defunct co-op plant in Weston, OR and incorporates, renovating the facility to become the most advanced pea processing plant in the U.S.
1960 - Water Gun Knife Invented
The first of what would become numerous company innovations in the potato and fries distribution industry, Lamb Weston invents the Lamb Water Gun Knife—the first device to slice french fries in a high-velocity water flow—which quickly becomes the worldwide industry standard. This was Lamb Weston’s first step into making our mark on the history of french fries in America and around the globe.
1983 - Twister® Fries introduced
Venturing beyond the traditional straight-cut french fry, Lamb Weston introduces Twister® Fries, a curly-shaped fry that enhances operator profitability.
1983 - Automatic Defect Removal System designed
Lamb Weston designs the Automatic Defect Removal System—another industry gamechanger—which improves operator profits by eliminating product blemishes on high-speed production lines.
1984 - CrissCut® Fries introduced
Understanding operators needs to both delight their customers and increase profit potential, Lamb Weston expands its offering with CrissCut® Fries, a delicious specialty cut with great plate coverage.
1989 - LW Private Reserve®
The company releases its upscale line of premium potato products called LW Private Reserve®, recognized throughout the industry as the ultimate in potato quality.
1992 - Stealth Fries® launched
After seeing a need in the marketplace for fries that have a longer hold time for your operation as well as a crispier, more indulgent texture for your customers, Lamb Weston introduces its innovative brand of Stealth® Fries, which retain heat and flavor longer than conventional fries thanks to an invisible potato starch coating.
1994 - Lamb Weston® / Meijer partnership formed
Lamb Weston purchases two plants in Holland and then forms a partnership with Meijer Frozen Foods, a company specialized in potato and fry research and European market distribution.
1995 - Lamb's Supreme® Mashed Potatoes launched
To save operators time and labor without sacrificing flavor or quality, Lamb Weston introduces Lamb's Supreme® Mashed Potatoes, real, made-from-scratch mashed potatoes delivered in portion-controlled pouches.
1996 - Stuffed Spudz® introduced
Lamb Weston introduces Stuffed Spudz®, a completely new line of potato-based finger foods.
1998 - Canada Expansion
Lamb Weston builds and begins selling product out of a new, state-of-the-art processing plant in Taber, Alberta, Canada.
2001 - Sweet Things® brand of sweet potato french fries launched
Lamb Weston debuts its Sweet Things® brand of sweet potato french fries.
2002 - Lamb's Natural Chips introduced
The company introduces Lamb's Natural Chips, becoming an immediate success when they hit the market.
2003 - Starz® introduced
Lamb Weston introduces a unique new shape into their frozen potato portfolio called Starz®.
2004 - Yukon Gold introduced
The company releases its Lamb's Supreme® brand Yukon Gold potato products, ranging from wedges, Twister® Fries and chef cut fries to hash browns and mashed potatoes.
2007 - Washington plant expanded
Pasco, Washington plant expanded to support potato- and onion-based appetizer growth.
2008 - Continued expansion
Lamb Weston acquires Watts Brothers, a group of vegetable processing, packaging and farming facilities based in Kennewick, WA. The company also purchases a potato and fries processing facility in Prosser, WA.
2010 - Operations begin at Lamb Weston's Delhi, LA facility
The Delhi plant is a LEED Platinum Certified frozen food facility, the highest distinction available to green buildings, keeping environmental impact and sustainability in mind. Situated in a prime sweet potato growing region, the Delhi plant is uniquely equipped to process high-quality sweet potatoes, with proprietary technologies.
2014 - Lamb Weston® acquires TaiMei Potato in China
It is located in Shangdu, Inner Mongolia, one of the largest potato growing regions in China.
2014 - Boardman East opens
Boardman East opens, increasing the facility's capacity for making french fries and other frozen potato products. The facility is EPA ENERGY STAR® Certified as a result of employee efforts to reduce energy, reuse water and increase recycling.
2016 - Richland Innovation Center
Lamb Weston opens state-of-the-art Innovation Center in Richland, Washington.
2016 - French fries in the public eye!
Lamb Weston on the stock market: Lamb Weston begins trading as a public company on the NYSE under the stock symbol LW.
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2017 - Potatovation®
At Lamb Weston, we’re bound by a shared goal with our customers to deliver the perfect potato solutions for their business. That’s why we introduced “Potatovation,” an innovative service that seeks to understand every facet of our customers' operational needs to guide our product development, packaging, culinary innovations and new technologies. Potatovation helps to shoulder the back-of-the-house activity.
2018 - Crispy on Delivery™ fries Launched
Lamb Weston launches a revolutionary fry, with unique clear-coated batter, that stays crispy for up to 30 minutes when held in a vented container. Perfect for dine-in, drive-thru, room service, and buffets.
2018 - Potato Dippers™ Introduced
Lamb Weston introduces Potato Dippers™, a unique new cut thin Stealth® coating, ideal for scooping and dipping.
2018 - Marvel Packers Aquistion
Marvel Packers Pty Ltd ("Marvel"), a frozen potato processor in Australia, adds approximately 50 million pounds of production capacity to Lamb Weston's existing global manufacturing network.
2019 - Waffled Hash Browns introduced
Introduction of Waffled Hash Browns, a unique take on Belgian waffles made from shredded Idaho potatoes that can be baked to crispy perfection, offering operators without fryers a new potato option to satisfy customers.
2019 - Joint Venture in Argentina
Lamb Weston forms a joint venture with Sociedad Comercial del Plato in Argentina, thus reinforcing its position as a potato and fries distribution company in Latin America.