Darling Ingredients Bundle
Who Owns Darling Ingredients?
Darling Ingredients Inc. recently extended its share repurchase program in June 2024, authorizing up to $500 million of common stock buybacks through August 2026. This move highlights the company's confidence in its financial health and future prospects.
Understanding the ownership structure of Darling Ingredients is key to grasping its strategic direction and market influence. The company's evolution from its founding in 1882 to its current global status is a testament to its adaptability and commitment to sustainability.
Who owns Darling Ingredients?
Darling Ingredients Inc., a global leader in transforming organic materials, has a complex ownership structure primarily driven by institutional investors. As of 2024, major shareholders include investment management firms that collectively hold a significant portion of the company's stock. For instance, Vanguard Group, Inc. is a substantial stakeholder, alongside other prominent asset managers. These institutions, managing funds for numerous clients, often influence corporate governance and strategic decisions through their voting power and active engagement. The company's diverse product portfolio, which includes ingredients for food, pet food, and renewable energy, is supported by this broad ownership base. Investors are often drawn to the company's role in the circular economy and its potential for growth, as seen in its Darling Ingredients BCG Matrix analysis.
Who Founded Darling Ingredients?
The origins of Darling Ingredients Inc. date back to 1882 with the founding of Ira C. Darling & Company in Chicago, Illinois. This initial venture was a collaboration between the Swift family's meatpacking operations and the Darling family's fertilizer business, which was based in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
Founding Partnership
The company's inception involved a partnership between the Swift family and the Darling family. This union combined expertise in meatpacking with fertilizer production.
Incorporation and Leadership
Following Ira Darling's passing, the company was incorporated as Darling & Co. in July 1891. His brother, Lucius Darling, then took over the leadership of the company.
Early Growth Strategy
The company's expansion in its early years was characterized by the consolidation of smaller rendering businesses in the Chicago area. This indicated a strategic approach focused on acquiring and integrating existing operations.
Pioneering Business Model
The founders' vision centered on repurposing animal by-products for agricultural uses, such as fertilizer. This was an innovative approach to waste utilization for its time.
Initial Equity Details
Specific details regarding the initial equity split or shareholding percentages between the founders, Ira C. Darling and the Swift family, are not readily available in public records.
Early Backers and Investors
Information about notable early backers, angel investors, or friends and family who acquired stakes during the company's initial phase is not extensively documented.
The core business model established from the outset focused on creating value from waste streams, a principle that remains central to the company's operations today. This early strategy of repurposing animal by-products laid the groundwork for its future growth and market position. For a more detailed look at its historical development, you can refer to the Brief History of Darling Ingredients.
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How Has Darling Ingredients’s Ownership Changed Over Time?
Darling Ingredients Inc. has evolved significantly since its inception, transforming from a private entity into a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange. This transition has led to a substantial shift in its ownership structure, with institutional investors now holding the majority of its shares.
| Shareholder | Percentage of Ownership | Number of Shares |
|---|---|---|
| BlackRock, Inc. | 9.91% | 15,671,965 |
| The Vanguard Group, Inc. | 9.89% | 15,641,921 |
| Gates Capital Management, Inc. | 5.00% | 7,915,560 |
| Dimensional Fund Advisors LP | 4.73% | 7,480,803 |
| Citadel Advisors LLC | 3.66% | 5,790,112 |
| State Street Global Advisors, Inc. | 3.51% | 5,546,532 |
| FMR LLC | 3.15% | 4,979,868 |
As of March 30, 2025, institutional investors collectively own approximately 88.41% of Darling Ingredients. This substantial institutional backing, spread across various asset management firms, indicates a broad confidence in the company's strategic direction. Key among these are BlackRock, Inc., holding 9.91%, and The Vanguard Group, Inc., with 9.89%. Other significant stakeholders include Gates Capital Management, Inc. at 5.00%, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP at 4.73%, and Citadel Advisors LLC at 3.66%. This ownership landscape demonstrates a diversified institutional base rather than a single controlling entity. Despite a decrease in net sales to $5.7 billion in fiscal year 2024 from $6.8 billion in 2023, and a drop in net income, the sustained high level of institutional ownership suggests continued belief in the company's long-term prospects, bolstered by strategic moves like the Diamond Green Diesel joint venture and the planned Nextida collagen venture.
Understanding Darling Ingredients' Ownership Structure
Darling Ingredients' ownership is predominantly held by institutional investors, reflecting a broad market confidence. The company's market capitalization exceeds $7 billion as of July 28, 2025.
- Institutional investors own approximately 88.41% of shares as of March 30, 2025.
- Major asset managers like BlackRock and Vanguard are significant shareholders.
- The company is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DAR).
- Strategic ventures influence the company's business and governance.
- Explore the Revenue Streams & Business Model of Darling Ingredients for more insight.
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Who Sits on Darling Ingredients’s Board?
As of the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 7, 2025, Darling Ingredients Inc. has a Board of Directors comprising ten members. Randall C. Stuewe holds the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, leading a board with diverse expertise. The nominees for the 2025 meeting included Charles Adair, Larry A. Barden, Celeste A. Clark, Linda Goodspeed, Enderson Guimaraes, Randy L. Hill, Gary W. Mize, Soren Schroder, Kurt Stoffel, and Randall C. Stuewe.
| Director Name | Position | Appointment/Nomination |
|---|---|---|
| Randall C. Stuewe | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | Current |
| Charles Adair | Director | Nominee 2025 |
| Larry A. Barden | Director | Nominee 2025 |
| Celeste A. Clark | Director | Nominee 2025 |
| Linda Goodspeed | Director | Nominee 2025 |
| Enderson Guimaraes | Director | Nominee 2025 |
| Randy L. Hill | Director | Appointed September 2024 |
| Gary W. Mize | Director | Nominee 2025 |
| Soren Schroder | Director | Appointed February 2025 |
| Kurt Stoffel | Director | Nominee 2025 |
Darling Ingredients operates under a standard one-share-one-vote structure, meaning each share of common stock grants its holder one vote. This structure is typical for publicly traded companies and indicates no preferential voting rights for any specific shareholder group. Recent executive leadership transitions include the retirement of Brad Phillips, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective June 15, 2025. Robert Day will take over as CFO following the company's 2024 Form 10-K filing, anticipated on February 25, 2025. Sandra Dudley will become Executive Vice President, Renewables and Chief Strategy Officer, and Carlos Paz will join as Executive Vice President, Global Risk Management, Ingredients, to support ongoing growth initiatives.
Board and Executive Leadership
The composition of the board and recent executive changes reflect a strategic approach to leadership and operational oversight. These appointments aim to bolster the company's strategic direction and growth trajectory.
- Randall C. Stuewe serves as Chairman and CEO.
- Randy L. Hill joined the board in September 2024.
- Soren Schroder was appointed to the board in February 2025.
- Robert Day will transition to CFO post-2024 10-K filing.
- The company maintains a one-share-one-vote system.
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What Recent Changes Have Shaped Darling Ingredients’s Ownership Landscape?
Over the past few years, Darling Ingredients Inc. has seen shifts in its ownership trends, marked by a significant share repurchase program and ongoing leadership transitions. The company's strategic direction is being shaped by these developments, alongside its focus on growth initiatives and financial management.
| Major Institutional Holders (as of March 30, 2025) | Approximate Ownership Percentage | |
| BlackRock, Inc. | 9.9% | |
| The Vanguard Group, Inc. | 9.9% | |
| Gates Capital Management, Inc. | Significant Portion |
Recent developments at Darling Ingredients Inc. include the extension of its share repurchase program, authorized to buy back up to $500 million of common stock through August 13, 2026. This move underscores the company's confidence in its financial standing and its commitment to shareholder value. Leadership changes are also underway, with Executive Vice President and CFO Brad Phillips set to retire on June 15, 2025, after a long tenure. Robert Day will assume the CFO role, supported by new strategic and risk management positions for Sandra Dudley and Carlos Paz, respectively, aimed at bolstering continued growth.
Shareholder Activity and Institutional Dominance
As of July 28, 2025, 900 institutional owners held 191,128,480 shares. While institutional ownership is substantial, insider ownership is relatively low at approximately 1.17% as of July 10, 2025. Insiders have seen a slight increase in holdings, moving from 1.26% to 1.35% in January 2025, with modest insider sales reported.
Strategic Growth and Future Outlook
The company is actively pursuing growth through strategic acquisitions, such as the Nextida collagen joint venture, expected to finalize in 2026. Darling Ingredients also anticipates a stronger 2025 than 2024, projecting Combined Adjusted EBITDA between $1.25 billion and $1.30 billion, driven by recovering renewable diesel margins and increased sustainable aviation fuel sales.
Key Strategic Initiatives
Darling Ingredients' strategic focus includes expanding its sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production capabilities. The new SAF unit in Port Arthur, Texas, operational since 2024, has a capacity of approximately 250 million gallons annually. This aligns with the company's broader strategy to enhance its position in renewable energy markets.
Understanding Darling Ingredients Ownership
Understanding who owns Darling Ingredients involves looking at both institutional and insider holdings. The company's publicly traded status means its stock is widely held, with major investment firms playing a significant role. For a deeper dive into the market dynamics, exploring the Competitors Landscape of Darling Ingredients can provide further context.
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