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Givaudan (USA)
The Givaudan (USA) pension fund manages retirement assets for the American subsidiary of Givaudan SA, the Swiss multinational that supplies flavors and...
Givaudan (USA)
The Givaudan (USA) pension fund manages retirement assets for the American subsidiary of Givaudan SA, the Swiss multinational that supplies flavors and fragrances to consumer goods companies globally. The parent firm, founded in 1895 and publicly traded, counts Bill Gates's Cascade Investment and BlackRock among its largest shareholders. The US pension plan operates from Mount Olive, New Jersey, with a real estate footprint that reflects its parent's North American manufacturing geography. The plan allocates across real estate, industrial assets, and venture capital. Its real property holdings include an industrial facility on Reading Road in Cincinnati, the East Hanover Fragrance Headquarters on Merry Lane, and a commercial site on Edison Drive tied to the North American headquarters. A documented position in venture capital—listed as a generalist strategy—suggests the fund gains exposure to early-stage innovation through a manager, though the specific funds and commitments remain undisclosed. Givaudan SA's shareholder structure offers context for the pension's investment posture. Cascade Investment, the vehicle through which Bill Gates manages personal and foundation capital, holds roughly 12 percent of Givaudan SA. The Haldor Foundation, BlackRock, and UBS Fund Management collectively hold another 15 percent. The US pension fund exists within that shareholder ecosystem, operating independently as an ERISA-governed plan. The Givaudan Foundation, a separate philanthropic entity, does not appear to commingle assets with the pension. The fund's structural differentiator is its direct ownership of operating-adjacent real estate. Rather than outsourcing property exposure to a REIT manager, the plan holds the physical sites where Givaudan's American workforce operates—creating an investment return stream tied to the parent company's industrial footprint. The plan also participates in raw material sourcing portfolios and natural gas hedging, reflecting the parent's sensitivity to commodity input costs.
General information
Firm type
Pension Fund
Year founded
1895
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Mount Olive
Corporate office
Mount Olive, NJ, United States
Additional offices
Cincinnati, OH, United States · East Hanover, NJ, United States · Louisville, KY, United States · Teaneck, NJ, United States
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Is Givaudan (USA) a single family office or a corporate pension plan?
Givaudan (USA) is a corporate pension fund for the American subsidiary of Givaudan SA, the publicly traded Swiss flavors and fragrances company. It is not a family office, though the parent's shareholder base includes Cascade Investment, the entity Bill Gates uses to manage his personal and foundation assets. The US plan operates under ERISA regulations, distinct from the parent's corporate treasury.
What real estate does the Givaudan US pension fund own?
The plan holds several properties tied to Givaudan's North American operations, including the East Hanover Fragrance Headquarters in New Jersey, the Teaneck Fragrance Building, a natural colors headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky, the North American headquarters commercial building on Edison Drive in Cincinnati, and an industrial manufacturing facility on Reading Road in Ohio. The Carthage Facility on East 69th Street in Cincinnati rounds out the known portfolio.
How is Bill Gates connected to Givaudan?
Bill Gates, through Cascade Investment, holds approximately 12 percent of Givaudan SA's share capital. This is a passive equity stake in the Swiss parent company, not a direct relationship with the US pension fund. Cascade is Givaudan SA's largest disclosed institutional shareholder, alongside BlackRock, UBS Fund Management, and the Haldor Foundation.
Does Givaudan's US pension invest in venture capital?
Yes, the plan lists Venture Capital (General) as a strategy across multiple entries, suggesting commitments to one or more VC fund managers. The specific managers, check sizes, and vintages have not been publicly disclosed. The allocation appears to target generalist early-stage strategies rather than sector-specific funds.
How does the Givaudan Foundation relate to the pension fund?
The Givaudan Foundation is a separate philanthropic vehicle established by the parent company, Givaudan SA. It operates independently from the US pension plan, focusing on community and sustainability initiatives tied to the company's sourcing regions. There is no evidence of commingled assets or overlapping investment programs between the two entities.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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