ABSTRACT
A number of companies have entered and left the safflower business since 1950. This chapter examines the history of some of those firms and will compare their approach to the safflower business to that of PVO. None of the companies that engaged in the safflower business in 1950 are involved with safflower today. The Pacific Vegetable Oil Company was the principal player from 1950-62, when it enjoyed a virtual monopoly in safflower operations. Today, PVO no longer exists. Oilseed Products Co. sold out to Ranchers Cotton Oil, but Ranchers has had no involvement with safflower for over 15 years. The Glidden Company abandoned safflower operations after 2 years. The companies operated by Lord, Caltana Safflower Products Co. and E.W. McDonnell, are all out of business. Spencer Kellogg and Sons made only a brief attempt at safflower processing. California Cotton Oil Company of Los Angeles was a toll processor for PVO in safflower’s early years, but they stopped operating years ago, as did S.A. Camp of Bakersfield, California.
