The company that would come to gain national recognition as an innovative leader in the citrus business started when Dr. Philip Phillips purchased his first orange grove in Satsuma in 1894. Despite early setbacks due to devastating freezes, Phillips persevered and the land purchased in Osceola County led to the creation of a citrus empire with more than 5,000 acres of citrus groves and two packing houses.

The company thrived on innovation – from the implementation of generous employee benefit programs to the operation of a canning plant where orange juice was first successfully canned. During 1954, in what may have been the largest citrus business transaction ever, the company sold its citrus holdings to Granada Groves, a corporate partnership of 75 percent Investors Diversified Services and 25 percent Minute Maid Inc. At this time, the company changed its focus to real estate investments and was later reorganized as a not-for-profit organization in keeping with the family’s legacy of philanthropy.

A notable accomplishment of the company and Howard Phillips, Dr. Phillips’ son, is the Dr. Phillips community, now home to more than 40,000 people. Today, profits generated through the sale and lease of company-owned properties continue to impact the central Florida community through generous donations to various charitable organizations.

Together with The Dr. P. Phillips Foundation, Dr. Phillips Inc. has awarded grants in excess of $23 million over the past three years.