Private Brands Incorporated (PBI) was founded in 1947, our business focusing on formulating products for various firms serving the farm industry. Our commitment to quality in our manufacturing processes gained us private labeling contracts with many major firms in those early years. With the purchase of the Gordon Chemical Company in 1956 and merger with the Johnston Chemical Company, we acquired
specialty products that were initially offered only to private label customers. The changing marketplace of the 1960’s, however, demanded strong brand name identification. We met that challenge through an aggressive campaign targeting the agricultural and lawn and garden markets under the Gordon’s brand name. In 1968, the turf industry was beginning to experience rapid growth. The time was right for a problem-solving product that could help raise the professionalism of the turf manager. PBI-Gordon acquired the Trimec® herbicide patent, giving us a proprietary product that could be sold under the Gordon’s label. With an acknowledged reputation for quality products, customer service, and business integrity, PBI-Gordon quickly became a major force in the burgeoning turf industry. We now offer more than 40 products designed for golf courses and other professional turf and ornamental managers. The Gordon International Corporation subsidiary of PBI-Gordon acquired animal and human health product manufacturer Pegasus Laboratories, Inc., in 1999, and Pegasus’ sister company PRN Pharmacal, a marketer of animal health products. These new companies gave PBI-Gordon a strong and growing presence in those industries. In 2010, PBI-Gordon further strengthened our presence in the market by acquiring Lambert Kay, manufacturers of several prominent consumer pet care products. In 1994, a leveraged Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) was implemented and acquired a majority ownership position in the company. In 2002, PBI-Gordon became 100 percent employee-owned. Today, we're an organization of more than 250 employee-owners who are dedicated to creating and delivering healthier solutions for green spaces, pets, and people.
