Baxters Food Group is a British company known for producing a wide variety of soups, both canned and fresh. The company has its headquarters in Moray, United Kingdom.

History

Baxters was founded by George Baxter in 1868. He started his business with £100 and opened a grocery store in Fochabers. Margaret, George’s wife, started to make jellies and jams in the back of their shop. Margaret’s jams soon started to gain a following because of their excellent quality. Soon after, Baxters products began gaining popularity in Fochabers and in all of Moray.

In 1914, Baxters’ jams and preserves continued to spread in popularity until it reached Scotland. During this period, Ethel Baxter (George Baxter’s daughter-in-law) started to create new varieties of soups, including the ever-popular ‘Royal Game Soup.’ Ethel Baxter also started canning soft fruits, which was considered new food product retail`. In the succeeding years, Baxters experienced significant growth, as the company started receiving orders from giant retailers like Fortnum & Mason and Harrods.

In 1959, Baxters’ products were introduced to the United States by the new generation of Baxters, led by Gordon Baxter. In 1970, Baxters started another innovation by using twist-off caps on its jars. In the succeeding years, the company continued to grow, and yet the company remained owned by the Baxter family. In 1996, the company’s state-of-the-art facility in Fochabers was completed.

In 2001, Baxters was able to acquire Pershore-based Garner’s Foods. Two years after, it acquired another company, Colchester-based CCL Foods, Plc.

Currently, Baxters is headed by Audrey Baxter, who is one of the fourth generation of Baxters to run the company. Audrey became CEO and chairman of the company in 1999. Aside from the Baxter label, a new line of products is also sold under the Audrey Baxter label.

Today, Baxters also produces condiments, chutneys, pickles and preserves, aside from its wide variety of soup products. It even owns a company that produces soups for private labels, SoupExperts (a Canada-based company), which it was able to acquire in 2004. Baxters also has specialty stores selling specialty gifts and foods. These stores can all be found inScotland. The company’s products are not only known in the United Kingdom, but worldwide as well.

Headquarters: Fochabers, Moray
Ownership Type: Private
Employees: 997
Geography:  worldwide
Demography: fresh soups and canned soups consumers, consumers of condiments, chutneys, preserves and pickles
Baxter Customer Care: +44 (0) 1343 820 393

Brands

Baxters®, Audrey Baxter®

Important links

Corporate Home Page
Baxter Products
Baxter Stores
Baxters Jobs and Careers
Contact Information