Before the turn of the 20th century, the J.M. Smucker Company (SJM) was founded as a small apple cider and butter business. 127 years later, The J.M. Smucker Company, commonly known as Smucker, has vastly expanded its business beyond mashed fruits, reaching a value of nearly $13B and operating well known brands in market segments from coffee to pet food. The business now competes with consumer packaged goods giants like Kraft-Heinz (KHC), Nestlé (NSRGY), and General Mills (GIS). One thing has remained consistent since the company’s founding—it’s still led by a Smucker: J.M.’s great, great grandson, Mark.

Yahoo Finance’s Brad Smith traveled to Orrville, Ohio, the home and origin of Smucker, to get an inside look at how the fifth generation CEO is leading the historic brand and setting up for the next 127 years.

Mark Smucker took over in 2016. His biggest move to date came in 2023 when the company acquired the sweet snacks giant, Hostess for $5.6B. Smucker’s decision to expand its portfolio follows a relatively proven company recipe over recent years. Some other Smucker acquisitions include Jif peanut butter and Crisco in 2002, Pillsbury and other brands part of International Multifoods in 2004, Folgers in 2008, Café Bustelo in 2010, and Big Heart Pet Brands in 2015. J.M. Smucker Co. has since sold off the Crisco and International Multifoods businesses.

Smucker has also made his mark on the business by leaning into edgier marketing campaigns for many legacy brands, like Jif and Folgers. He has also capitalized on pop culture influence to grow brands, including the popular Uncrustables snack, which the company believes will become a $1B brand in 2026.

Lead This Way is an interview series that features frank conversations with today’s leaders. The series gives consumers and investors an inside look into the innovative thinking and diverse life experiences of some of the biggest players in business to find out how they lead through change, and how they define success for themselves and their organizations.

For more on our Lead This Way series, click here, and tune in to Yahoo Finance Live for more expert insight and the latest market action, Monday through Friday.

Editor's note: This article was written by Luke Brooks.