Anderson Erickson Dairy

The Anderson Erickson Dairy (AE) is the largest independently owned dairy in Iowa. Headquartered in Des Moines, it was founded in June 1930 during the Great Depression by Iver Erickson and Bill Anderson. After eight years in business, Anderson sold his interest in the company and moved to Minnesota, leaving Erickson with complete ownership of the company.[3] By 2004 the family-owned company was the 73rd largest dairy by sales in the United States. As of 2021, it was still run by descendants of Iver Erickson.[4][1][5]

Anderson Erickson Dairy
TypePrivate
IndustryDairy
Founded1930
FounderIver Erickson, Bill Anderson
Headquarters
Des Moines, Iowa
,
United States
Key people
Miriam Erickson Brown (CEO), James W. Erickson (chairman)[1]
ProductsMilk, Yogurt, Cottage Cheese, Sour Cream, Dips, Egg Nog, Ice Cream Mix, Orange Juice, Lemonade[2]
Revenue$117.1 million[1]
Number of employees
520[1]
Websitewww.aedairy.com[1]

Starting in 1930, AE offered early-morning home delivery of milk, in glass bottles. For the first two decades home deliveries were made seven days a week, because many customers did not own refrigerators. Empty bottles were picked up by the milkman, washed at the dairy and refilled for the next delivery. Additional dairy products were gradually added to the delivery service, and at the service's peak in the early 1950s, AE had about 150 delivery routes scattered around Iowa. Home delivery had dwindled to just two routes serving 350 customers by the end of the 20th century, and the service was ended in 2001.[3]

The AE dairy was the first to print photographs of missing children on milk cartons.[6] This began in September 1984, following the disappearance of two Iowa paperboys, Johnny Gosch and Eugene Martin.[7] The practice of spreading information about missing children in this way would later be replicated across the nation.[8]

In 2020, the AE dairy received a multimillion-dollar loan under the provisions of the CARES Act economic stimulus bill.[9]

Cow sculptures

A large pair of Guernsey cow sculptures is located outside of the corporate headquarters, at the intersection of East University Avenue and Hubbell Avenue. The 14-foot-tall cow, named Annie, weighs 2500 pounds, and her calf Eric weighs 200 pounds. Both are constructed from steel and fiberglass, and the pair are a landmark in east Des Moines. The cow statue has been in place since the 1960s, and the calf was added in the 1970s.[10][11][12]

References
  1. "D&B Business Directory". dun & bradstreet. dun & bradstreet. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  2. "products". Anderson Erickson. Anderson Erickson. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  3. Heath, Ellen (31 March 2001). "The milkman vanishes". The Des Moines Register. No. page E1. Gannet.
  4. Graham, Chad (3 March 2002). "AE Dairy mooooves with the times". Des Moines Register. No. page 1D. Gannett.
  5. Ryberg, William (26 May 2006). "Brown sees bright future for family firm, dairy industry". Des Moines Register. No. page 1D. Gannet.
  6. Rood, Lee (5 September 2007). "25 years later, mom persists in search". The Des Moines Register. No. page 3B. Gannet.
  7. Ta, Linh (4 September 2017). "The missing kids milk carton campaign started in Iowa". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
  8. Santiago, Frank (5 September 2000). "First 'milk carton boys' are still missingl". The Sheboygan Press. No. page A6. Gannet.
  9. Jett, Tyler (21 July 2020). "Wealthiest receiver millions in loans from CARES Act". Iowa City Press-Citizen. No. page A3. Gannet.
  10. Alex, Tom (23 October 2007). "Iconic calf stutue goes for a ride". Des Moines Register. No. page 3. Gannet.
  11. Laird, Rox (4 June 1981). "AE Dairy: A landmark on the east side". Des Moines Tribune. Cowles media.
  12. "Fun Facts & Firsts". Anderson Erickson. Anderson Erickson. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
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