Anchor Foods or Anchor Foods Pty. Ltd. is an Australian food company based in

Western Australia Western Australia (commonly abbreviated as WA) is a state of Australia occupying the western percent of the land area of Australia excluding external territories. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to th ...

History

The company was founded by Gilbert Wood, a mariner and merchant from the

Shetland Islands Shetland, also called the Shetland Islands and formerly Zetland, is a subarctic archipelago in Scotland lying between Orkney, the Faroe Islands and Norway. It is the northernmost region of the United Kingdom. The islands lie about to the no ...

who took possession of an unpaid cargo and opened his own store. The original store was named G. Wood, Son & Co. and was based in Angas Street in

Adelaide Adelaide ( ) is the capital city of South Australia, the state's largest city and the fifth-most populous city in Australia. "Adelaide" may refer to either Greater Adelaide (including the Adelaide Hills) or the Adelaide city centre. The dem ...

South Australia South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories ...

. The company was a partnership between Wood, his son Peter and an employee named James Gartrell. They soon expanded with stores being established in

Broken Hill, New South Wales Broken Hill is an inland mining city in the far west of outback New South Wales, Australia. It is near the border with South Australia on the crossing of the Barrier Highway (A32) and the Silver City Highway (B79), in the Barrier Range. It is ...

and Fremantle in Western Australia. The recipe book named ''Anchor Ann'' was released by the company in 1925. By the 1930s, the range of products released by the company was extensive including dried fruit, jellies, pastry products, tea and coffee.

Ownership

Bennett & Fisher Limited acquired the company in 1978.

Goodman Fielder Goodman Fielder is a joint Hong Kong/Singapore-owned manufacturer, marketer and distributor of bread, small goods, dairy products, margarine, oil, dressings and various food ingredients. Its main operations are in New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, ...

owned the company in 1986 and had an annual turnover of 100 million, but 15 years later turnover had reduced to 15 million. David Clapin acquired the business in 2002 for 7 million with the intention of growing the company and repackaging all of the 500 products it offers. In 2006 the annual turnover was 26 million which increased to 32 million in 2009. Staff numbers increased from 80 in 2007 to 120 in 2009.

Products and headquarters

The company produces an extensive of products for the retail, food service and commercials markets including; flour, vinegar, birdseed, cordial, herbs and spices and cooking aids. Currently it has a range of 800 products. The current factory and office buildings located in Carrington Street in

Fremantle Fremantle () () is a port city in Western Australia, located at the mouth of the Swan River in the metropolitan area of Perth, the state capital. Fremantle Harbour serves as the port of Perth. The Western Australian vernacular diminutive for ...

were built in the 1970s. The offices were significantly upgraded in 2011 to a more modern open plan.

References

{{reflist Australian companies established in 1854 Food manufacturers of Australia