Posted on Tue, Apr. 8, 2008
Founded in 1911, when a guy with a celestial name started selling butter-cream candies, today I am one of the world's largest family-owned firms, producing confectionery, food and pet-care products. My Milky Way bar, introduced in 1923, was my first big hit. I make more than 15 million Snickers bars daily. It takes me eight to 12 hours to make my M&M's and seven days to make Starburst jellybeans. My other brand names include Twix, Skittles, Uncle Ben's, Pedigree and Whiskas. I make seven of the world's 20 best-selling chocolate snacks. My annual sales top $21 billion. Who am I?
Last Week's Trivia Answer: I am a holding company worth more than $20 billion. Under my umbrella, you will find CNA Financial Corp. (89 percent owned), one of America's largest property-casualty insurers; interstate natural gas pipeline specialist Boardwalk Pipeline Partners L.P. (70 percent owned); Lorillard Tobacco Co. (wholly owned, which is America's oldest tobacco company, with brand names including Newport, Kent, True, Maverick and Old Gold); Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc. (51 percent owned), one of the world's largest offshore-drilling companies; and a bunch of hotels and resorts that bear my name. The late billionaire philanthropist Laurence Tisch was my co-founder. Who am I? (Answer: Loews)
