Agribusiness

Pictured:  W. Kerr Scott Farm Historic District on Cherry Lane in Graham, North Carolina.

Agriculture and business were the main focus of the Scotts from their initial settlement in the Alamance region. Over the past two centuries the Scott family has distinguished itself in North Carolina agribusiness with dairy farms and successful farm-based enterprises.

Key Agribusinesses

Alamance Foods/Triton Water, Inc.

In 1959 Alamance Foods was established in the original Melville Dairy plant when the company was selected as a franchise producer for a revolutionary new product: an aerosol whipped cream called “Reddi-wip®”. Today the company is one of three major producers of aerosol whipped cream in the United States. In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, the company expanded by entering into the flavored syrup drinks, freeze pops and bottled water business. Their “Triton” brand water was the first multi-pack water in the nation. Today, Alamance Foods/Triton Water, Inc. manufactures private label and branded water, flavored drinks, freeze pops and aerosol whipped cream.

Alamance Frozen Foods

Alamance Frozen Foods was started by Floyd and Ralph Scott in the late 1940’s. This frozen food locker rented space for both commercial and private uses. Anderson Hughes “Jim” Scott purchased the business in the mid 1950’s and expanded it particularly in the area of hickory smoked ham and bacon. The building located on Maple Avenue in Burlington, NC was sold in the late 1960’s.

Family Farms

Over generations, the Scott family-owned farms have been a consistent part of the Hawfields landscape. Inspired by his visit to prosperous farms in New York and Pennsylvania, Robert W. Scott returned home with a vision and a drive to implement the best farming practices. He instilled this knowledge and desire in his children and their farms prospered as a result.

Kingsdown Mattress

Founded in 1904 by W.W. Corbett and Arthur Neal Scott under the name “Mebane Bedding Company,” Kingsdown Mattress prides itself on the production of high quality mattresses. Today mattresses and box springs are still hand-assembled to ensure lasting comfort and durability.

Mebane Tobacco Factory

The Mebane Tobacco Factory traces its roots to Henderson Scott who helped dismantle the old wooden Hawfields Presbyterian Church when the brick church was built in 1852. He brought the mortise and tenon structure to his home and remodeled it as a barn which was used for chewing tobacco production for several years. Later, Henderson’s son James Edwin Scott started a tobacco factory in Mebanesville (now Mebane) which was productive during the latter half of the 1800’s and into the early 1900’s. The Mebane Tobacco Factory produced the popular brand of Tried and True Smoking Tobacco. James’ brother Robert W. Scott spent several years traveling throughout the states selling tobacco before becoming a master farmer on his father’s land.

Melville Dairy

In 1927, Henry A. Scott and his brother, Ralph Henderson Scott, started Melville Dairy on Henry’s farm. As business grew a new processing plant was built in 1935 in Burlington. For over 40 years, Melville Dairy served as the primary supplier of dairy products to Alamance County until 1967 when it was sold to Guilford Dairy.

Melville Plastics

An off-shoot of Melville Dairy, Melville Plastics was organized by Ralph Henderson Scott, Jr. in 1963. The company produced blow-molded containers for dairy and industrial manufacturers. It flourished over the years and was then sold to a Boston, MA company in 1993.

Scott Stone

Founded in 1985 by Steve and Linda Scott, Scott Stone is one of the largest suppliers of natural stone products in the Southeast. They provide unique and creative ways for natural stone products to enhance the landscaping and building projects of homeowners, masons, landscape and building professionals, corporations, and the design industry.

Smith-Melville Dairy

Melville Dairy of Burlington purchased Smith Dairy owned by Lewis M. and Margaret Scott Smith of Raleigh in 1948. The Smith-Melville Dairy operated at the original Smith Farm until it was relocated to new distribution plant on the west side of Raleigh. Following a short period of operation it was sold to Longmeadow Dairy of Durham in 1953.

TES, Inc

Founded in 1985 by Henry Edwin and Terry D. Scott, TES, Inc is the parent company of two local businesses: Tables, Chairs & Staging and Piedmont Portables. These two divisions of TES, Inc. serve the eastern part of the United States providing tables, chairs, staging, tents, dance floors, portable bleachers and more for special events such as graduations, weddings, campaign events, concerts, family gatherings and festivals.