Orth was founded in 1882 a 37-year-old German immigrant named Philip Orth. He established the Ph. Orth Company on the Bark River in Sullivan, Wisconsin.

After WWII a complete line of bakery supplies were introduced and the company slogan became "Everything for Bakers". The company grew from meager beginnings to $38M in total sales in 1990 to the food service industry.

Orth was later acquired by CSM in 1996 and consolidated with Karp's in 1999 to form Baker & Baker. Baker & Baker merged with Henry & Henry in 2002 and later into Brill in 2005.