Iconic American Companies Owned by Chinese Investors

108. Purina

Headquarters: St. Louis, Missouri
Bought By: Nestlé
Headquarters: Vevey, Switzerland

When it comes to pet nutrition and care, few brands resonate as deeply with American consumers as Purina. Established in 1894 as the Robinson-Danforth Commission Company in St. Louis, Missouri, Purina embarked on its journey by producing animal feed. By the early 20th century, its checkerboard logo became a hallmark of quality for pet owners across the U.S.

However, the brand’s narrative took an international turn in 2001 when Nestlé, the Swiss multinational food and beverage conglomerate, acquired Ralston Purina, thereby forming Nestlé Purina PetCare. This $10.3 billion acquisition merged Purina’s longstanding expertise in pet nutrition with Nestlé’s global scale and resources.