American Machine and Foundry Company's (AMF) origins date back to 1915 in Hanover, PA with the introduction of the first automated bread packaging machine, the Standard Bread Wrapper. By 1956, through internal product development and strategic acquisitions, AMF had become one of the leading automated equipment suppliers to the bread, bun and soft roll wholesale baking industry and was relocated to Richmond, Virginia as a part of the Union Machinery Division of AMF. By this time AMF had become a large conglomerate of diversified companies that ranged from sporting goods to motorcycles to electrical components and much more.
In 1986 the Bakery Division of AMF was one of the many AMF Companies spun-off as a result of the Erwin Jacobs leverage buy-out of AMF, Inc. and in 1989, the company began trading as AMF Bakery Systems.
In December 1996, AMF was purchased by The Dominion Companies, LLC as a platform in wholesale baking to take advantage of industry consolidation, changing customer needs, international expansion opportunities, a fragmented supplier base, and a flagship name. Including the initial acquisition of AMF, management successfully completed four acquisitions in three years. In August 1997, AMF purchased CAMTECH of Atlanta, Georgia which solidified its position as the premier producer of extrusion technology. In September 1998, AMF acquired ETMW Enterprises Ltd. of Sherbrooke, Canada, adding a comprehensive line of mixing equipment and remanufacturing capabilities. In August 1999, AMF purchased Pulver Systems, Inc. of Chicago, Illinois and added automated handling systems and equipment used in packaging and distribution to its product portfolio.
AMF Bakery Systems has three engineering and manufacturing plants, a 150,000 sq. ft. facility in Richmond, Virginia, USA, a 125,000 sq. ft. facility in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada and a 30,000 sq. ft. facility in Tianjin, China.
In 2006 a majority stake of AMF Bakery Systems was acquired by Markel Corporation (MKL-NYSE) an international property and casualty insurance company, also based in Richmond, Virginia. Markel embraces a long term investment philosophy and decided to move into private equity investments to compliment their public portfolio. AMF was Markel's first investment in a private company and with a $3.1 billion market capitalization, Markel has provided a firm foundation for AMF's continued growth and market leadership.