W.F. Young, Inc. is a privately held American corporation that has sold animal care products since 1892.[2] These brands and products are sold online, in farm, feed, and tack shops, and pet retailers.
The corporation was founded by Wilbur Fenelon Young and Mary Ida Young and has been family owned and run by the Young family since 1892. Its headquarters are in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts.
The company is best known for its Absorbine line of rubefacients (whose medical effectiveness remains disputed), originally formulated as a horse liniment, but later reformulated for humans and marketed as Absorbine Jr.,[3] which was intensely promoted via a televised advertisement campaign aimed at the end consumer. Over time, the company has also acquired other liniment brands including Bigeloil.
In 2012, W.F. Young, Inc. underwent a strategic reorganization of the business to focus exclusively on animal care. They continued to grow their equine care product lines and expanded their offerings into the livestock[4] and companion pet[5] categories. With this change, W.F. Young divested itself of its human healthcare division. In 2013, DSE Healthcare took on the Absorbine Jr. brand.
Founder's history
Wilbur Fenelon Young was born on November 18, 1863, in Wallingford, Connecticut, to Charles and Julia Tyler (Hine). On June 24, 1887, Wilbur married his first wife, Sadie Wilcox, who died in 1891. A year later, on November 16, 1892, he married Mary Ida Stephenson Young. Mary Ida was born on June 29, 1865, in Stonington, Maryland. Her parents were Thomas Bronson and Amelia F. (Stone) Stephenson. Mary Ida was a descendant of Thomas Stone, the first Protestant governor of Maryland and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Together Wilbur and Mary Ida had two children, Wilbur II and Sally.
Company history
W.F. Young, Inc. is an American company founded by Wilbur F. and Mary Ida Young in 1892 in Meriden, Connecticut. Wilbur delivered cargo with a team of workhorses while Mary Ida cared for the horses and home.[6] In 1892, "blistering"[7] was a common practice done to heal horse muscles, tendons, and joints faster when they were strained. The purpose was allow more blood to enter the area to heal the skin as it was believed that the injured joint would benefit from the extra blood flow. Wilbur and Mary Ida disapproved of this harsh method of treatment. Mary Ida was a herbalist, and formulated a liniment of menthol, wormwood oil, and herbs in her kitchen tub as an alternative to blistering, which she named Absorbine Veterinary Liniment.[8]
The couple then founded W.F. Young, P.D.F. to market and sell the liniment. As neighboring farmers and drivers tried the liniment on their own horses, it grew in popularity. In 1893, W.F. Young, P.D.F. moved to Springfield, Massachusetts.[9]
A few years later, Wilbur was inspired by his son to create a version of the liniment for humans, and Absorbine Jr. was introduced in 1903.[10] Today, Absorbine Jr. products can be found in grocery, retailer supercenters, and drug stores. It is reported that the development of Absorbine Jr. was partially inspired by stories of local farmers using the Veterinary Liniment on themselves after a hard day's work.
After Wilbur Fenelon Young's death in 1918, Wilbur F. Young II took over the business at 20 years old. The following year, in 1919, W.F. Young, P.D.F. was incorporated to become W.F. Young, Inc. as it is known today.[9] W.F. Young Inc. moved to Lyman Street in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1923.
When Wilbur II died in 1928, Mary Ida took over the business from her son. She ran the business until 1957, when her daughter, Sadie Stephenson (Sally) Young, and grandson Wilbur F. Young III were each promoted to president. Mary Ida Stephenson Young died on October 31, 1960, at age 95. Following Sally Young's death in 1977, Wilbur III became the sole president. He was president for 10 years until his death in 1987. At that time, Wilbur III's son, Tyler Young, became President and CEO.
W.F. Young, Inc. acquired the Equine America company and products on November 1, 2007.[11] Equine America products include supplements, grooming aids, and muscle & joint relief.
On October 15, 2008, the board of directors at W.F. Young, Inc. appointed Adam D. Raczkowski as President of the company, with Tyler F. Young retaining his current role of CEO.[12]
In 2012, W.F. Young, Inc. underwent a strategic reorganization of the business to focus exclusively on animal care. They continued to grow their equine care product lines and expanded their offerings into the livestock[4] and companion pet[5] categories. With this change, W.F. Young divested itself of its human healthcare division. In 2013, DSE Healthcare took on the Absorbine Jr. brand.
In 2013, the Equine America line of products was discontinued in the United States in an effort to focus on the growth of the Absorbine line. This led to the decision to move key Equine America brand products into the Absorbine family of products. B-L and Fungasol are now sold under the Absorbine name. The remaining Equine America products are available outside of the U.S. only.
In 2015, Tyler F. Young was promoted to Executive Chairman of the Board, with Adam D. Raczkowski taking over as CEO. Chris Jacobi, who had been serving as the general manager of the equine division, was appointed as President.[13]
The company also expanded its pet care division in 2015, acquiring Pure Ocean Botanicals,[14] makers of Pet Kelp products, and The Missing Link supplement line.[15]
Product lines currently sold include items to improve the health and well-being of animals in the equine, pet, and livestock categories, including the original Absorbine Veterinary Liniment. The company continues to be owned and managed by fourth and fifth generations of the Young family.[8]
In 2020, W.F. Young Inc., has partnered with A.J. Turvey & Associates.[16]
Management
Presidents
Jaime McKinley - 2021–present
Thierry R. Jean - 2020-2021
Adam D. Raczkowski - 2008–2019
Tyler F. Young - 1987-2008
Wilbur F. Young III - 1977-1987
Sally Young - 1957-1977
Mary Ida Young - 1928-1957
Wilbur F. Young II - 1918-1928
Wilbur Fenelon Young - 1892-1918
General Managers
J. Kenneth Alexander - 1956-1983
Henry Caswell - 1919-1956
Related Research Articles
GE HealthCare Technologies, Inc. is an American multinational medical technology company headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. It was spun-off from General Electric on January 4, 2023, with GE retaining 6.7%. As of 2017, it is a manufacturer and distributor of diagnostic imaging agents and radiopharmaceuticals for imaging modalities used in medical imaging procedures. It offers dyes used in magnetic-resonance-imaging procedures; manufactures medical diagnostic equipment, including CT image machines; MRI, X-ray; ultrasound; cath labs; mammogram; Nuclear Medicine Cameras; and develops health technology for medical imaging and information technologies, medical diagnostics, patient monitoring systems, disease research, drug discovery, and biopharmaceutical manufacturing. It was incorporated in 1994 and operates in more than 100 countries.
Blood-Horse Publications is an American multimedia publishing house focused on horse-related magazines headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky. It began in 1916 through its flagship magazine, The Blood-Horse. From 1961 to 2015, Blood-Horse Publications was owned by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, a non-profit organization that promotes Thoroughbred racing and breeding. In 2015, the Jockey Club became the majority owner. According to the company, Blood-Horse has subscribers from over 80 countries worldwide, and according to ESPN is the thoroughbred industry's most-respected trade publication.
Liniment, also called embrocation and heat rub, is a medicated topical preparation for application to the skin. Some liniments have a viscosity similar to that of water; others are lotion or balm; still, others are in transdermal patches, soft solid sticks, and sprays. Liniment usually is rubbed into the skin, which the active ingredients penetrate.
Sam Savitt was an equine artist, author, and teacher, as well as an illustrator of over 130 books, in addition to 16 that he wrote. He was designated the official illustrator of the United States Equestrian Team, and was a founding member of the American Academy of Equine Art. He created several horse charts that are considered authoritative works and have been used by the Smithsonian Institution.
PetSmart Inc. is a privately held American chain of pet superstores, which sell pet products, services, and small pets. It is the leading North American pet company, and its direct competitor is Petco. Its indirect competitors are Amazon, Walmart, and Target. As of 2020, PetSmart has more than 1,650 stores in the United States and Canada. Its stores sell pet food, pet supplies, pet accessories, and small pets. Stores also provide services including grooming, dog daycare, dog and cat boarding, veterinary care via in-store third-party clinics, and dog training. They also offer dog and cat adoption via in-store adoption centers facilitated by the non-profit PetSmart Charities.
David Gardiner Tyler was an American politician and the ninth child and fourth son of John Tyler, the tenth president of the United States.
Perrigo Company plc is an American Irish-registered manufacturer of private label over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, and while 70% of Perrigo's net sales are from the U.S. healthcare system, Perrigo is legally headquartered in Ireland for tax purposes, which accounts for 0.60% of net sales. In 2013, Perrigo completed the sixth-largest US corporate tax inversion in history when it reregistered its tax status to Ireland to avoid U.S. corporate taxes. Perrigo maintains its corporate headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan, within Michigan State University's Grand Rapids Innovation Park.
Helen of Troy Limited is an American publicly traded designer, developer and worldwide marketer of consumer brand-name housewares, health and home, and beauty products under owned and licensed brands. It is the parent corporation of OXO International Ltd., Kaz, Inc., Steel Technology, LLC, and Idelle Labs, Ltd, among others. The company is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda, with U.S. operations headquartered in El Paso, Texas. The company is named after the mythic figure Helen of Troy.
Watkins Incorporated is a manufacturer of health remedies, baking products, and other household items. Founded in 1868, Watkins Incorporated is based in Winona, Minnesota, United States, which utilizes an omni-channel marketing strategy which includes a national retail sales force which focuses on selling to the retail channel as well as an independent sales force of 25,000 people to distribute its products.
Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc. is an American pet retailer with corporate offices in San Diego and San Antonio. Petco sells pet food, products, and services, as well as certain types of live small animals.
Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc., trading as as Hill's, is an American pet food company that produces dog and cat foods. It is a subsidiary of Colgate-Palmolive.
Edwin Wilbur Rice Jr. was a president and considered one of the three fathers of General Electric.
Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc., is an American diversified company headquartered in Middleton, Wisconsin. It was established in 2005 as the successor to Rayovac Corporation.
Harriet Francoeur Nevins was an American philanthropist and animal welfare advocate born in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Widow of David Nevins Jr., she used her inheritance to leave a legacy to the people of the Bay State. She died November 14, 1929, at her home in Methuen, Massachusetts.
William Thomas Rawleigh was a businessman and politician in the state of Illinois.
Carter-Wallace was a personal care company headquartered in New York City. The company was formed by the merger of Carter Products and Wallace Laboratories. The company had a research facility in Cranbury, New Jersey.
Thomas Fearn Frist Jr. is an American billionaire physician and businessman. He is a co-founder of HCA Healthcare, and is the wealthiest person in Tennessee.
Pet Plan Limited, trading as Petplan, is a London-based pet insurance company. It is a subsidiary of Allianz Insurance plc, part of the Allianz Global Group. Petplan is the largest pet insurance provider in the UK.
SmartPak is a business headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts. SmartPak was founded in 1999 by two Harvard Business School graduates, founders Becky Minard, and her husband Paal Gisholt. SmartPak provides custom-packed nutritional supplements in daily-dose packages for horses and dogs. In addition to its patented feeding system that provides convenient administration of supplements and medications, SmartPak has since expanded into selling equestrian apparel and gear, and added products for dogs, including dog supplies.
Joseph Ray Watkins was an American entrepreneur and founder of Watkins Incorporated with his homemade medical products – liniment, extracts, and salves. He offered the United States's first money back guarantee for his products and is credited as the founder of the direct sales industry.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
