Who Owns Farmer Brothers Company?

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Who Owns Farmer Brothers Company?

Understanding a company's ownership is key to grasping its strategic direction and market impact. Farmer Bros. Co., a prominent national coffee roaster, recently initiated a strategic alternatives review in July 2025, making its ownership structure a critical point of interest.

Tracing the ownership of Farmer Bros. Co. reveals a journey from its founding in 1912 to its current status as a publicly traded entity. This exploration is vital, especially given the company's recent announcement regarding a strategic alternatives review process in July 2025.

As of July 2025, the ownership landscape of Farmer Bros. Co. is dynamic. The company, which reported revenues of US$500.9 million in fiscal year 2023 and had a market capitalization of approximately $33 million with around 19.5 million shares outstanding, is influenced by a mix of institutional and individual investors. Examining these stakeholders provides insight into the forces shaping its future, including its diverse product offerings, such as those detailed in the Farmer Brothers PESTEL Analysis.

Farmer Bros. Co. began in 1912 with Roy E. Farmer selling roasted coffee beans directly to customers in Los Angeles. By 1923, the business was incorporated in California, expanding to include coffee equipment sales through the acquisition of Western Urn Manufacturing. Roy E. Farmer was the principal founder and owner, establishing the company's initial direction.

Founding Vision

Roy E. Farmer's vision was to provide quality coffee and related equipment to businesses. This focus laid the groundwork for future growth and diversification.

Diversification Strategy

The company expanded its offerings to include spices and other culinary products. This broadened the customer base, primarily serving restaurants and institutions.

Transition of Leadership

Following Roy E. Farmer's death in 1951, his son, Roy F. Farmer, assumed control. This period presented challenges for the company's leadership.

Going Public

In 1952, the company became publicly traded on the NASDAQ market under the ticker symbol FARM. This marked the initial dilution of the founding family's ownership.

Early Ownership Structure

While precise initial equity splits are not detailed, Roy E. Farmer was the primary owner. The incorporation and expansion suggest his sole leadership in the early years.

Impact of Public Offering

The 1952 initial public offering introduced public shareholders to the company's ownership. This was a significant step in the evolution of Farmer Bros. Co.'s shareholder base.

Roy E. Farmer's strategic decision to broaden the company's product line beyond coffee to include spices and other culinary items was instrumental in its early expansion. This diversification attracted a wider range of clients, predominantly restaurants and institutional food service providers. The Brief History of Farmer Brothers details this pivotal growth period. The unexpected passing of Roy E. Farmer in 1951 at the age of 59 led to a leadership change, with his son, Roy F. Farmer, taking the helm. This transition was met with difficulties, prompting the company to go public the following year, in 1952, and list on the NASDAQ under the symbol FARM. This public offering represented the first significant shift in the ownership structure, introducing external investors to the company.

Key Ownership Milestones

The early ownership of Farmer Bros. Co. was largely concentrated with its founder, Roy E. Farmer. The company's trajectory saw significant changes with the transition of leadership and its subsequent public offering.

• Roy E. Farmer established the company in 1912.
• Incorporation occurred in 1923, expanding business operations.
• Roy E. Farmer was the primary owner during the initial growth phase.
• Leadership transitioned to his son, Roy F. Farmer, in 1951.
• The company went public in 1952, listed as FARM on NASDAQ.
• The public offering marked the first dilution of founding family ownership.

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Farmer Bros. Co. became a public entity in 1952, trading on NASDAQ under the ticker FARM. This transition marked a significant shift from private family ownership to a publicly traded company. As of July 16, 2025, the company's stock was valued at $1.42 per share.

The ownership landscape of Farmer Bros. Co. has evolved considerably since its public offering. While institutional investors now hold a substantial portion of the company's shares, the Farmer family, particularly the lineage of Roy F. Farmer, maintained significant influence for many years. A key transaction in 2003 saw the buyout of the Crowe family's stake, which also bolstered the employee stock ownership plan's (ESOP) share to 18.7%. These dynamics illustrate a continuous recalibration of control among founding family interests, institutional stakeholders, and the broader public shareholder base, impacting the company's strategic direction and governance through various operational phases, including the divestiture of its direct ship business in 2023.

Key Institutional Investors in Farmer Brothers

Institutional investors play a crucial role in the Farmer Brothers Company's shareholder structure. These entities collectively own a significant percentage of the company's outstanding shares.

• 22nw, Lp is a major holder with 1,955,526 shares.
• JCP Investment Management, LLC possesses 992,826 shares.
• Vanguard Group Inc. holds 824,693 shares.
• Other notable institutional shareholders include Renaissance Technologies LLC, Gamco Investors, Inc. Et Al, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, and Teton Advisors, Inc.
• The overall institutional ownership stands at approximately 41.46% as of March 31, 2025.

Understanding who owns Farmer Brothers Company involves looking at both institutional and insider holdings. As of January 2025, insider holdings represented 8.92% of the company's stock. Mutual funds, a subset of institutional ownership, accounted for 26.20% in January 2025, showing a slight decrease from the previous period. The historical context of ownership changes, such as the 2003 transaction, highlights the ongoing interplay of different shareholder groups. For a deeper dive into the company's financial operations, explore the Revenue Streams & Business Model of Farmer Brothers.

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As of December 2024, Farmer Brothers Company's Board of Directors consists of six members. This group includes executive leadership and independent directors, tasked with overseeing the company's strategic direction and governance.

The voting power within Farmer Brothers Company is primarily structured on a one-share-one-vote basis. As of November 2023, there were 19,544,682 shares of Common Stock outstanding, each carrying a single vote. A quorum for annual meetings requires a majority of these outstanding shares. Historically, the Farmer family held significant influence, owning 39.6% of the company after a 2003 buyout. This historical context, coupled with past activist investor campaigns and proxy disputes, such as those in 2002 and 2003, underscores the importance of shareholder engagement in shaping corporate strategy and governance, a dynamic that continues to influence the Growth Strategy of Farmer Brothers.

Understanding Farmer Brothers Company Ownership

Farmer Brothers Company's ownership structure is a key factor in its strategic direction. Understanding who owns Farmer Brothers and the influence of its shareholders is crucial for assessing its market position.

• The company operates with a one-share-one-vote system.
• As of November 2023, there were over 19.5 million shares of Common Stock outstanding.
• Past shareholder activism highlights the impact of major investors on corporate governance.
• The current board composition reflects a blend of executive and independent leadership.

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Farmer Brothers Company has experienced significant shifts in its operational landscape and leadership over the past few years, directly influencing its ownership trends. These changes reflect a strategic pivot aimed at enhancing shareholder value and optimizing business operations.

Institutional investors hold a significant stake in Farmer Brothers Company, collectively owning approximately 41.46% of the outstanding shares as of March 31, 2025. While some, like PENN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC, have reduced their holdings, others such as MORGAN STANLEY, CITADEL ADVISORS LLC, and SUSQUEHANNA INTERNATIONAL GROUP, LLP have increased their positions in the first quarter of 2025. This dynamic activity among major institutional holders suggests evolving investor sentiment and strategic positioning in anticipation of potential company developments.

Institutional Ownership Snapshot

As of March 31, 2025, 90 institutional holders managed 10,672,577 shares. This represents a substantial portion of the company's total outstanding shares, indicating significant institutional interest.

Key Investor Activity (Q1 2025)

Notable increases in holdings were observed from MORGAN STANLEY, CITADEL ADVISORS LLC, and SUSQUEHANNA INTERNATIONAL GROUP, LLP. Conversely, PENN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC reduced its stake.

Financial Performance Context

Fiscal Q3 2025 reported net sales of $82.1 million with a net loss of $5 million, though gross margins improved to 42.1%. Fiscal Q2 2025 saw net sales of $90 million and a net income of $210,000.

Stock Performance and Outlook

The stock price declined by 51.70% from July 2024 to July 2025, moving from $2.94 to $1.42. Analysts project a potential upside, with an average twelve-month price target of $4.50, a 147.25% increase from the July 2025 price.

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