​​​​​​The copy above of a poster was sourced from www.1stdibs.com/furniture/wall-decorations/posters/original-vintage-burns-philp-line-shipping-poster-visit-south-sea-islands/id-f_8713683/

 

The first overseas store was opened in Port Moresby in 1884. In 1886 a mail steamer run operated from Thursday Island to Port Moresby. The company ended its involvement in blackbirding (forceful relocation of Pacific islanders for labour elsewhere) in 1886.

 

Up to 1903, Burns Philp operated as merchants and shipping agents in the Pacific Islands, as well as providing a mail service and carrying tourists to Papua New Guinea, New Hebrides and the Solomon Islands.  Acquisition of the Port Moresby Hotel occurred in 1914, with the Papua Hotel purchased some years later. Refer addendum 6 (Hotel Moresby) and addendum 7 (Papua Hotel) for further information about these two historic hotels.

 

Burns Philp "maintained a near monopoly on passenger services to Melanesia until the outbreak of World War II in the Pacific". During this period the company had a dominant role in trade in the region distributing general merchandise and collecting copra from coconut plantations.

 

It owned and operated a fleet of passenger and cargo ships including the MV “MacDhui” and the MV “Bulolo”.

 

In both major wars Burns Philp ships were used to carry supplies, personnel, and ammunition. Six vessels were lost in World War II. Over 75 years Burns Philp owned more than 150 vessels.

 

Diversification into plantations commenced from 1889 with landholdings extending from the New Hebrides to Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, and the Solomon Islands. In the 1930s the company moved into urban retailing and established Penneys Ltd which was sold to Coles in 1956.

 

From the 1960s the company's shipping activities declined following the Commonwealth Government's decision to withdraw the shipping subsidy. The last of its Australian crewed ships, the MV “Moresby”, was sold in June, 1970.

 

In the second half of the 20th century, Burns Philp became 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.

 

In the 1970s the management expanded the business through acquisitions and by the early 1980s, Burns Philp was a conglomerate that controlled over 200 companies involved in about 100 separate industries including vehicle sales and rental, building materials distribution, hardware, toy manufacture, penicillin production, financial investment, and trustee services.

 

The diversification put financial strain on the company, as many of the companies in the group were unprofitable.

 

From 1984, management restructured the group to focus on retail hardware stores and food ingredients, and acquired yeast and fermentation related businesses, such as vinegar production, in Europe and the United States. It became the largest supplier of yeast and vinegar in the world.

In the 1990s, Burns Philp expanded into the spices and seasonings sector and became the second largest supplier of spices and seasonings in the North American market. However, the competition with McCormick & Company developed into an intense price war, which damaged the profitability of the company. On 24 September 1997, Burns Philp announced a write down of its herbs and spice assets from AUD$850m to AUD$150m and started to sell the herbs and spices business in order to focus on its core yeast operation.

 

In 1997 Burns Philp sold the corporate headquarters in Bridge Street, Sydney. In the year 2000 it returned to profitability. 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$676 million.

 

New Zealand businessman Graeme Hart has had an interest in Burns, Philp since 1997. 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 from the Australian Stock Exchange on 20 December 2006.

 

After the sale of its yeast and spices business to UK firm Associated British Foods, Uncle Tobys to Nestlé for NZ$1.1bn, Bluebird Foods to PepsiCo for NZ$245 million, and its NZ$676 million 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 Australia Pty Ltd.

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