Burns Philp

Burns Philp Building, Bridge Street, Sydney, built in 1901 to the design of Arthur Anderson of A.L. & G. McCredie & Anderson

Burns Philp (properly Burns, Philp & Co, Limited) was once a major Australian shipping line and merchant that operated in the South Pacific. In later years the company was a major player in the food manufacturing business. Since its delisting from the Australian Stock Exchange in December 2006 and the subsequent sale of its assets, the company has mainly become a cashed up shell company. It is wholly owned by Graeme Hart's Rank Group (not to be confused with the British company of the same name).

History

Burns, Philp building in Townsville, Queensland in 1901

In April 1883 James Burns and Robert Philp began a trading partnership, originally named the "Burns, Philp & Company Limited".[1] They were the first company to offer tourism to New Guinea, in 1884, advertising the 'New Guinea Excursion Trip'.[2] This consisted of a five-week trip from Thursday Island and has been described as the "official beginning of tourist cruises in the South Pacific".[3] The company later published a book titled Picturesque Travel. Sir Robert Philp twice became Premier of Queensland, while Sir James Burns, became a member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales and founder/ benefactor of Burnside Presbyterian Homes for Children.

By 1914 the Burns, Philp Tourist Department was established, advertising tours on Lord Howe and Norfolk Island. Acquisition of the Port Moresby Hotel occurred in the same year, with the Papua Hotel purchased some years later. Burns, Philp "maintained a near monopoly on passenger services to Melanesia until the outbreak of the war in the Pacific".[4] During this period the company had a dominant role in trade in the region distributing general merchandise and collecting copra. The war saw the British government take over some of the Burns, Philp fleet, and the vessel Macdui was sunk in Port Moresby in 1942 on its first voyage as a troopship.[5]

Burns, Philp cargo and passenger ship Mataram, built in 1909 and sold in 1935

Burns, Philp was once involved in the production and distribution of food ingredients and consumer branded food, beverage and related products. The Group operated internationally, with leading products and brands enjoying significant market shares in each of its principal markets. Its product ranges included packaged bread and other baked goods, snack foods, breakfast cereals, edible oils, and meal components. One of the most significant subsidiaries of the business in terms of profit was Goodman Fielder, Australasia’s largest baker, which was floated in an IPO (initial public offering). In 2007 Burns, Philp sold its remaining 20% stake in Goodman Fielder for NZ$676m.

Since 1997 New Zealand businessman Graeme Hart has had an interest in Burns, Philp. He has been on the Board of Directors since 1997 and Chairman since 2004.

In December 2006 Hart acquired the remaining 42% of Burns, Philp he didn't already own and the company was delisted on 20 December 2006. After the sale of its yeast and spices business to UK firm Associated British Foods, Uncle Toby's to Nestlé for NZ$1.1bn, Bluebird Foods to PepsiCo for NZ$245m, and its NZ$676m 20% stake in Goodman Fielder the company became largely a cashed up shell. Burns, Philp is wholly owned by Hart's private investment company Rank Group Limited.

Former Burns Philp Building

The former Burns Philp Building in Bridge Street, Sydney, was built in 1901 to the design of Arthur Anderson of A.L. & G. McCredie & Anderson.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Douglas, N. and Douglas, N. (1996) "Tourism in the Pacific: Historical factors" in Hall, C.M. and Page, S.J. (eds.) Tourism in the Pacific: Issues and Cases, London pp. 65-80
  2. ↑ Sydney Morning Herald, 16 February 1884 in Douglas, N. (1994) "Electric Shadows in the South Seas: The Pacific Islands in film" in D. Aoki (ed.) Moving Images of the Pacific Islands: A Guide to Films and Video, Center for Pacific Island Studies: Honolulu, p. 40
  3. ↑ Douglas, N. (1994) 'Electric Shadows in the South Seas: The Pacific Islands in film' in D. Aoki (ed.) Moving Images of the Pacific Islands: A Guide to Films and Video, Center for Pacific Island Studies: Honolulu, p. 40
  4. ↑ Douglas, N. and Douglas, N. (1996) "Tourism in the Pacific: Historical factors" in Hall, C.M. and Page, S.J. (eds.) Tourism in the Pacific: Issues and Cases, London p. 27
  5. ↑ Buckley, K. and Klugman, K. (1983) The Australian Presence in the Pacific: Burns, Philp 1914-1946, George Allen & Unwin: Sydney
  6. ↑ NSW heritage Branch

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