Hubbry Logo
BaxtersBaxtersMain
Open search
Baxters
Community hub
Baxters
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Baxters
Baxters
Baxters
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Baxters Food Group Limited, (trading as Baxters), is a food processing company, based in Fochabers, Scotland. It produces foods such as canned soups, canned meat products, sour pickles, sauces, vinegars, antipasto, chutneys, fruit preserves and salad and meat condiments. The corporate headquarters are based in Edinburgh, Scotland.[2]

Key Information

Products are sold under the Baxters brand as well as a variety of brands owned, or licensed, to the group.[1] Baxters has remained a private family company for four generations, during which time it has expanded significantly by acquiring other business within the United Kingdom and internationally.

The company was known as W.A. Baxter & Sons Ltd. prior to 21 December 2006.[3]

History

[edit]

Origins and early to mid-20th century

[edit]

Baxters was founded in 1868 by 25 year old gardener George Baxter when he borrowed £100 from family members and established a grocery shop in Fochabers, Moray. George's wife Margaret Baxter supported her husband by making jams and jellies using local fruit.[4]

In 1916, George and Margaret's son, William Baxter, purchased land from the Duke of Richmond and Gordon and with his wife, Ethel Baxter, built a factory adjacent to the River Spey, to the east of Fochabers. The Baxters shop became known for supplying jams and jellies and began preparing their own beetroot, and selling it to other grocers. Ethel concentrated on jam making, while William promoted the business throughout Scotland.[5] A canning machine was hired by Ethel in 1923 in order to can local fruit in syrup, such as strawberries, raspberries and plums, with Baxters becoming one of the first companies in Scotland to do so.[6] Ethel started creating a variety of soups using local produce in 1929, the first being Royal Game using venison from Upper Speyside. The packaging artwork features a derivative of the painting The Monarch of the Glen, an oil-on-canvas painting of a red deer stag completed in 1851 by the English painter Sir Edwin Landseer. Before long the Baxter family were supplying upmarket department stores in London such as Harrods and Fortnum & Mason.[7]

During the Second World War, the company survived principally by producing jam for the armed forces.

Mid to late 20th century

[edit]

Ena and Gordon Baxter joined the company in 1952. Ena, an artist and cook, helped expand the range of Scottish soups on offer to include traditional Scottish recipes such as Cock-a-leekie, Scotch Broth and Chicken Broth.[8] In 1955, Baxters was granted royal warrants of appointment by Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and King Gustav VI of Sweden for the manufacturer of Scottish food specialties.[9]

In the 1960s, Baxters was supplying its products internationally and in 1962 it was the first company in the United Kingdom to introduce twist-top caps to 12-ounce (340-gram) jars for preserves.[10][11] By the 1980s, Baxters had become a leading premium soup brand[independent source needed] and began promoting more exotic soup flavours.[12] Despite the increasing size of the company, Baxters maintained an image as a "family business", with a series of advertisements showing the Baxter family heavily involved in the preparation of their products.[13]

Gordon Baxter's daughter Audrey Baxter became managing director in 1992, who along with her brother Andrew Baxter developed a range of new products. The company's other major shareholder is James Baxter, Andrew Baxter's son. Gordon Baxter died in 2013 (aged 95), and Ena Baxter in 2015 (aged 90).[14]

21st century

[edit]

In the 21st century, Baxters commenced a strategy of significant expansion by acquiring rival food manufactures in order to double in size and increase annual turnover to in excess of £100 million.[15] Its first acquisition was in July 2001 when Garner Foods Ltd., a producer of a pickles, chutneys and salad dressings was purchased. Garners was established in 1989 and employed 40 people at its base in Pershore, Worcestershire.[16][17]

In 2001, a new 70,000 sq ft (6,500 m2) factory for the manufacturing of chilled soups was built for Baxters in Grimsby, northeast Lincolnshire.[18]

CCL Foods PLC was purchased by Baxters in July 2003. The firm employed 50 people at its plant in Earls Colne near Colchester in Essex and produces pickles and condiments under the Mary Berry, Peppadew, Pizza Express, Olivaise and Simply Delicious brands and for supermarkets such as Safeway (now Morrisons) and Waitrose.[15][19] CCL Foods operates as a subsidiary of Baxters and is now known as Baxters (Earls Colne) Ltd.[20]

Norman Soutar was appointed as group managing director in July 2004 and was the first non-member of the Baxter family to lead the company. Soutar had joined Baxters in 2000 as food service director and was later director of corporate strategy.[21] His appointment as group managing director gave him operational management of the business and began a new approach to foreign markets, whereby Baxters sought to establish overseas production facilities rather than relying on exporting goods from the United Kingdom.

Baxter's first overseas takeover was in 2004 when it purchased Canada's largest private label soup manufacturer, Soup-Experts Inc. The Quebec-based company was established in 1975, initially focusing on producing sauce before expanding into private label foods in the 1990s.[22] Soup-Experts became part of the Baxters Canada group.[23]

Baxters launched its flagship range of premium products in 2005 with the creation of the Audrey Baxter Signature Range. The range includes curds, conserves, marmalades, jellies, chutneys and relishes made in small batches. Limited editions are available seasonally.[24][25]

In July 2006, Norman Soutar left Baxters, with executive chairman Audrey Baxter adopting the role of managing director. No reason for Soutar's departure was given, with many staff reportedly unaware until the matter was made public in September 2006, when newspaper reports suggested disagreement over how the firm was being run.[21]

Against a background of poor performance in 2006, with annual profits falling by more than £1 million, Baxters opted to take advantage of lower labour costs by transferring its Garners Foods pickling operation to a 43,055 sq ft (3,999.9 m2) purpose-built factory located in Wolsztyn, Poland.[26] As a result, Garner's factory in Pershore was closed in 2007 with the loss of 23 jobs.[27] Baxters continues to use the Garners brand.[28]

Baxters Food Australia Pty Ltd. was established in 2006 to act as an in-country customer service division for Baxter's growing Australasia market. In April 2008, Baxters acquired Australian food processor Sole Pio Pty, a family company established in 1994 and based in Campbellfield, Melbourne, Victoria.[29] Sole Pio specialised in supplying the catering sector with marinated and flame-grilled vegetables, pestos, and tapenades, under the Bamboleo and Argents Hill brands, both of which Baxters continues to use.[30] Baxters bought Australian firm Andrews Food Distributors in 2010.[31] In an effort to increase Baxter's market share in the Australian retail market, Jensen's Choice Foods was purchased in early 2013. Operating from Huntingdale in Melbourne, Jensen's was founded in 1984 and its product range includes pasta sauces, salsa dips, wet spices, passata, fruit spreads sold under the Jensen's Organic brand and cookie dough under the Aunty Kath's brand. It also manufactures private label brands for major retailers.[32]

Baxters withdrew from the chilled soups sector in 2008 and sold its Grimsby factory to Northern Foods, attributing the move to strong competition in the sector and a desire to focus on more profitable products.[18]

The soups division of Canadian firm CanGro Foods was bought by Baxters in May 2007, transferring into Baxters' Canadian operation, Baxters Canada Inc. The deal saw Baxters acquire the Primo and Aylmer soup brands and more than double its revenue in Canada.[33]

Fray Bentos steak & kidney pie tin

In November 2011, to the surprise of some food manufacturing industry commentators, the company acquired the Fray Bentos range of pies and other canned meat products from Princes Ltd.[34] Princes were forced to sell the brand on competition grounds having acquired it from Premier Foods as part of the purchase of Premier's canned food division.[35] By January 2013, production-line equipment and the manufacturing of Fray Bentos products had been transferred from Long Sutton in Lincolnshire to the Baxters premises in Fochabers. Of the 125 new staff recruited as part of the expansion, 11 transferred from Long Sutton, which according to Baxters helped ensure a smooth transition between the two sites. The production line is accommodated in a two-storey extension to the Fochabers factory and initial production levels were 67,000 tinned pies per week.[34]

Fray Bentos was named after the town of Fray Bentos in Uruguay, from which it originally imported meat into the UK.[36] Fray Bentos was bought by Campbell's in 1993 and sold on to Premier Foods as part of the sale of the US food group's UK assets in 2006. Since the acquisition, Baxters has introduced new products under the Fray Bentos brand, such as soups in August 2012 and instant hot meals (Fray Bentos Hunger Busters) in June 2014.[37][38]

In 2012, Baxters bought Manor Vinegar from their Japanese owners Mizkan Group. The company's manufacturing plant located in Burntwood, Staffordshire was purchased after the then Office of Fair Trading (OFT) raised competition concerns with Mizkan's purchase of the vinegar and pickles division of Premier Foods. The sale to Baxters alleviated the OFT's concerns and reinstated pre-existing levels of competition in the manufacture and supply of vinegars in the United Kingdom.[39][40]

In 2014, Baxters bought Wornick Foods, a military rations manufacturer in the USA.[41]

In January 2018, Baxters moved its headquarters to Edinburgh, though Audrey Baxter described Fochabers as remaining as the company's "spiritual home".[42] Choosing to focus on US, European and Australian markets, Baxters sold its Canadian businesses, Baxters Canada Inc, in 2018.[43]

Today

[edit]
Baxters branding at the Loch Ness Marathon.

Baxters has been the main sponsor of the annual Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running since 2002. The event takes place in and around Inverness in the Scottish Highlands, around 40 miles to the west of Baxter's Fochabers headquarters.[44]

In late 2020, Baxters expanded its US operations by acquiring Truitt Bros, a contract manufacturer of shelf-stable, thermally processed foods, with 500 employees in Kentucky and Oregon.[45]

Baxters was declared number six in the Scottish Grocer magazine's Scottish Brand Review for 2020.[46]

Brands and products

[edit]

Alongside Baxter's own brand products, other products are sold under a variety of brands owned by, or licensed to, the group.

Baxters Food Group

[edit]

Baxters Food Australia Pty Ltd.

[edit]

Premises

[edit]

Current

[edit]

Manufacturing Sites

[edit]
  • Fochabers, Moray, Scotland - The company's main manufacturing site is where it produces canned soups, jars of beetroot, jams and preserves. Around 700 staff are employed at this location.[47]
  • Earls Colne, Colchester, Essex, England - Manufactures organic and non-organic condiments, mayonnaises, sauces, dressings, mustards and dips under the Simply Delicious brand.
  • Wolsztyn, Poland - A 4,000 square metre purpose-built factory constructed in 2007 to allow the onion pickling operation to transfer from Pershore, Worcestershire. Manufactures Garners range of pickled products.[48]
Baxters Highland Village Visitor Centre (closed in February, 2021)

Baxters also have sales & marketing offices in Glasgow, Scotland and Melbourne, Australia.

Former

[edit]
  • Pershore, Worcestershire, England - Acquired as part of the purchase of Garners Foods in 2001. The factory was closed with the loss of 23 jobs in 2006 when production was moved to Wolsztyn, Poland.[27]
  • Aberdeen International Airport - Shop opened in 2002 within landside part of the passenger terminal. Sold Baxters produce as well as Scottish themed gifts.
  • Eaglesgate Retail Village, Blackford, Perth and Kinross, Scotland - Shop and 250-seat restaurant opened in 2005 and functioned as Baxter's retail headquarters and distribution warehouse. Closed in February 2014 after the landlord sold the retail village forcing the closure of the Baxters premises. A suitable alternative location to operate the distribution hub from could not be found.[49]
  • Dunsdale Haugh, Selkirk, Scottish Borders, Scotland - £1million was spent transforming the vacant Selkirk Glass factory into an 8,300 square foot shop and restaurant in May 2008. Closed in February 2014 with the loss of 23 full-time and part-time jobs as a consequence of the Blackford site closing.[49]
  • Ocean Terminal, Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland - Lifestyle shop and 50-seat restaurant opened in October 2003.[22] Closed in early 2014 as a consequence of the Blackford site closing.[49]
  • Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada - The original Canadian company was called Les Produits Freddy.[50] In 2002 it became SoupExperts. It specialised in private label manufacturing and then expanded to make a range of Baxter's branded soups for the Canadian market.[23]
  • Highland Village Visitor Centre, Fochabers, Moray, Scotland - Located adjacent to the Fochabers headquarters and manufacturing site the Highland Village in centred around George Baxter's original shop and includes an exhibition, restaurants, Mrs Baxter's Cook Shop selling cooking and kitchen items, Coat and Swagger shop selling clothing and the Baxters Gift Shop. It received over 200,000 visitors per annum. After being temporarily shut down on 24 December 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the complex was confirmed to be permanently closed in February, 2021.[51]
  • Home Farm, Kelty, Fife, Scotland - Shop and coffee shop opened in 2008.

Controversy

[edit]

Health and safety

[edit]

A member of staff at Baxter's Fochabers manufacturing plant had to have his left foot amputated on-site after getting trapped in a vegetable auger during January 2014. The victim was trapped in the machine for an hour as emergency services, including two orthopaedic surgeons from Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin attempted to free him. He was later flown by air ambulance to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness. Following a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation, Elgin Sheriff Court heard in October 2015 that an improvised method of pushing remaining vegetables into an auger was regularly used. Baxters management were not aware that staff regularly used a ladder to climb on to the conveyor then used a squeegee to push vegetables towards the auger. The victim was injured when his left foot slipped from the belt into the collection hopper and was pulled into the auger. Baxters was fined £60,000 for being in breach of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 after it was found that risk assessments in place at the time of the incident were not suitable or sufficient.[52][53]

Following an inspection in May 2015, Baxters was instructed by HSE to improve safety at its Fochabers manufacturing plant. HSE found that exposure to flour dust, which can lead to asthma, was not controlled satisfactorily. Measures to reduce the risk of injury to staff during the loading of meat mincers were also found to be inadequate. Baxters responded that it was working hard to rectify the matters raised.[54]

Baxters was fined £6,000 at Elgin Sheriff Court in May 2015 after admitting breaches to health and safety legislation which led to a member of staff suffering a hand injury during an accident involving a conveyor belt. The incident at the Fochabers plant was investigated by HSE after it was reported by Baxters.[55]

In September 2016, Baxters was fined £70,000 when the company pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety regulations in relation to an accident in March 2015 when an employee's hand was mutilated in a packaging machine at the company's Fochabers plant. An alarm indicating that the machine was about to start was faulty and Baxters had failed to act on an improvement notice issued by HSE twelve months earlier, which if acted upon could have prevented the incident.[56]

Industrial relations

[edit]

It was reported in October 2014 by local newspapers that staff working in the soup factory at Baxter's Fochabers plant staged a three-hour strike in a dispute with management about new working and pay conditions.[57]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Baxters

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

Baxters Food Group Limited is a privately held Scottish food manufacturer headquartered in Fochabers, Moray, specializing in premium soups, sauces, pickles, chutneys, and canned products. Founded in 1868 by George Baxter as a small grocery shop with the motto "be different, be better," the company has remained family-owned across four generations, currently led by Executive Chairman Audrey Baxter. The firm pioneered innovations in , becoming one of the first in to produce canned fruits and achieving prominence in products during the early . In 1955, it received a from Queen Elizabeth II as manufacturers of Scottish food specialities, a distinction reflecting its quality and supply to the royal household. Baxters has expanded globally, operating in markets including the , , and , while maintaining a portfolio of over 150 products and earning multiple Great Taste Awards for items such as soups and condiments in recent years. Its Highland Village visitor centre in attracts tourists, showcasing the brand's heritage tied to Scottish culinary traditions.

History

Founding and Early Expansion (1868–Early 20th Century)

George Baxter, a 25-year-old employed by the , borrowed £100 from family members to establish a small grocery shop in the village of , , . In the back of the shop, his wife Margaret began producing jams and jellies using local fruits, which quickly gained popularity among customers, including the and Gordon. The business remained a family operation into the early 20th century, with George and Margaret's son William Baxter assuming leadership alongside his wife Ethel. In 1916, William purchased land near the River Spey from the Duke and constructed a dedicated factory approximately 120 yards from the river to scale production of preserves. Ethel focused on developing an expanded range of high-quality jams, which William distributed across Scotland using a fleet of six bicycles in the factory's first year of operation. By the 1920s, the company had begun diversifying its product line beyond jams, with William acquiring half a ton of beetroot that Ethel processed by hand—cooking, slicing, and bottling it in Orleans wine vinegar—to create the first in a series of vegetable preserves. This marked an early step toward industrialized food manufacturing, emphasizing locally sourced ingredients and manual quality control in response to growing regional demand. The factory's establishment solidified Baxters' transition from a modest retail shop to a producer of branded preserves, laying the groundwork for further product innovation while maintaining operations in Fochabers.

Mid-20th Century Growth and Product Innovation

Following , Gordon and Ian Baxter assumed control of the family factory in from their parents, inheriting a small operation with 11 employees. Under their leadership, the company experienced sustained expansion, evolving into a major employer in and achieving international recognition for its products. In 1952, Ena Robertson joined the business, marrying Gordon Baxter and partnering to innovate the product lineup by introducing a new range of traditional Scottish soups, including Cock-a-leekie, , and Chicken Broth. This development marked a pivotal shift toward premium, regionally inspired ready-to-eat foods, establishing the foundation for Baxters' modern soup portfolio and contributing to domestic market growth. The 1950s also brought formal accolades affirming the company's quality, with Royal Warrants of Appointment granted by Queen Elizabeth II for Scottish food specialities, as well as by the Queen Mother and King Gustav VI of in 1955. These honors underscored Baxters' rising reputation and supported further expansion by enhancing brand prestige in premium markets. By the , Baxters had broadened its global footprint, exporting soups to international markets and launching the "Best of Scotland" initiative, which featured speciality foods, gift packs, and tabletop accessories targeted at department stores in , America, , , and . Product innovation continued with the 1962 introduction of twist-top caps on 12-ounce preserve jars, making Baxters the first firm to adopt this convenient packaging technology.

Late 20th Century to Present: Internationalization and Family Leadership

In 1992, Gordon Baxter handed leadership of the company to his daughter Baxter, who assumed the role of managing director alongside her brother , initiating the fourth generation of family stewardship. Under 's direction, Baxters prioritized tailored for international markets, building on earlier foundations established in the mid-20th century. This shift emphasized premium, shelf-stable foods like soups and condiments, with remaining as executive chairman and group CEO into the present day, supported by fifth-generation family members in key roles such as marketing. Baxters pursued internationalization through strategic acquisitions and expanded operations beyond the . In , the company completed its first overseas purchase by acquiring a leading Canadian private-label manufacturer, significantly increasing its in the billion-dollar sector. This was followed by the 2011 acquisition of the Fray Bentos pie brand, enhancing its ambient food portfolio, and the 2020 purchase of US-based Truitt Bros., a of thermally processed foods, which bolstered manufacturing capabilities in the . By this period, operations extended to facilities in the , , and , complementing production and facilitating exports to diverse markets including , , , and beyond. Family oversight ensured continuity amid these expansions, with Audrey Baxter articulating ambitions for substantial revenue growth, targeting £300 million in turnover by around 2019 through global scaling. However, strategic adjustments included the 2018 divestment of the Canadian subsidiary for £42 million, allowing refocus on core premium brands and North American growth via partnerships and domestic acquisitions like the US Truitt deal. In 2022, Baxters marked key North American milestones, including enhanced distribution and product launches, underscoring sustained international momentum under family leadership. The company marked its 150th anniversary in 2018 with global events, affirming its evolution from a Scottish village enterprise to a multinational entity while preserving private family ownership.

Current Operations

Ownership and Leadership

Baxters Food Group Limited remains a under the ownership of the Baxter family, which has maintained control since the firm's founding in 1868. The business operates as a fourth-generation family enterprise, with no public shares or external corporate acquisitions altering this structure as of 2025. Leadership is centered on Caroline Baxter, who serves as Executive Chairman and Group CEO, having assumed these roles following her father Gordon Baxter's tenure in 1982. Appointed as a director on 12 December 1990, she oversees strategic direction across the group's international operations. The includes family members such as Andrew Gordon Baxter, appointed 20 April 1989, and Catherine Mhari McNiven-Baxter, appointed 24 April 2024, alongside non-executive directors like Terence Strain, appointed 30 July 2025. Gordon Campbell McKelvie acts as , appointed 21 August 2019. All principal officers share a correspondence address at 12 , , EH2 4DJ.

Manufacturing Facilities and Supply Chain

Baxters Food Group's primary manufacturing operations are centered at its headquarters and main production facility in , , , established as the company's original site since 1868. This plant produces a range of products including canned soups, preserves, condiments, and, following the 2011 acquisition of the brand, meat pies and related items, with production transferred from Long Sutton, , to Fochabers over the subsequent 12 months. In 2013, full-scale Fray Bentos pie manufacturing commenced at the site, supported by investments in new and processing lines to accommodate the expanded product lines. The Fochabers facility underwent further restructuring in 2016 as part of a network transformation, which included job reductions but aimed to enhance efficiency across operations. Additional UK production occurs at a facility in Earls Colne, near , , focusing on complementary food processing and packaging to support national distribution. The company maintains four key UK sites overall for development, production, and distribution, located in northeast (Fochabers), the , , and , enabling localized manufacturing to meet regional demands while leveraging Scotland's agricultural resources. Internationally, Baxters , a of the Baxters Food Group, operates manufacturing plants in East Bernstadt, , and , specializing in shelf-stable foods, contract manufacturing, and such as Meals Ready-to-Eat (MREs), following the acquisition of Wornick Foods. These U.S. sites, complemented by headquarters in , , handle commercialization from product development through distribution, with capabilities for and retort packaging. The emphasizes sourcing high-quality, regionally proximate ingredients, particularly Scottish for soups and preserves, to maintain product authenticity and reduce emissions, as outlined in the company's ethical procurement policies. Baxters conducts on suppliers to mitigate risks of modern slavery and , extending oversight from raw material producers to partners, though specific supplier names remain . The group imports certain commodities as needed, with customs records indicating activity in edible preparations and vegetable/fruit-based products. Overall, the vertically integrated approach prioritizes and , aligning with the family's multi-generational commitment to premium food production.

Market Presence and Strategic Expansions

Baxters Food Group maintains a strong presence in the , where it supplies premium ambient foods such as soups and sauces to major retailers and foodservice operators. The company also exports products internationally, with a focus on expanding beyond domestic markets through targeted acquisitions and partnerships. In recent years, Baxters has entered new regions, including a 2022 showcase of its soups in supermarkets across the as part of a Scottish food and drink promotion. Strategic expansions have centered on the North American market, beginning with the October 2014 acquisition of Wornick Foods, a U.S.-based producer of , for £87.5 million, which bolstered financial performance and provided access to contracts. This was followed by the 2020 purchase of Truitt Bros., a U.S. manufacturer of shelf-stable foods including , positioning the deal as a platform for further U.S. growth. The integration of these entities formed Baxters , headquartered in , , which by 2022 had achieved milestones in supplying convenient shelf-stable products and to the U.S. and major foodservice clients across multiple facilities in , , and . In the UK, Baxters diversified into chilled foods with the August 2020 acquisition of Orexis Fresh Foods, an Edinburgh-based producer, enabling entry into ready meals and expanding product categories for domestic retailers. Earlier international efforts included a 2004 acquisition of a leading Canadian private-label soup maker to gain footing in , though the Canadian division was sold in 2018 to a private-equity-led amid a strategic refocus. These moves reflect a pattern of opportunistic acquisitions to enhance manufacturing capabilities and market access, particularly in high-volume sectors like defense and retail, while maintaining family ownership and operational control.

Products and Brands

Signature Product Categories

Baxters' signature product categories center on premium canned soups, fruit preserves, chutneys, relishes, pickles, and condiments, reflecting the company's heritage in Scottish fine foods since its expansion into soup production in 1929. These categories emphasize high-quality, often traditionally inspired recipes using ingredients like locally sourced vegetables, fruits, and meats, with over 150 products available across ranges tailored for everyday and gourmet use. Soups form the cornerstone, featuring hearty, ready-to-eat varieties such as Scotch Broth (made with lamb, barley, and root vegetables), Cock-a-Leekie (chicken and leek-based), and Cullen Skink (smoked haddock chowder), which have sustained popularity for their authentic flavors and nutritional profiles, including options low in added sugars and suitable for various dietary needs like gluten-free or vegan. Preserves and jams constitute another flagship category, encompassing fruit-based spreads like , conserves, and curds, with premium lines such as the Audrey Baxter Signature Range offering artisanal varieties including Blood Orange , Cherry & , and and Conserve, crafted from selected fruits to achieve intense flavors and natural set textures without artificial preservatives. and relishes provide versatile accompaniments for cheeses, cold meats, and , with standout products like Apple, Date & and , known for their tangy, spiced profiles derived from vinegar-pickled fruits and vegetables, often matured for depth of taste. Pickles and beetroot represent enduring staples, with Baxters' beetroot pickled in malt for a sweet-sharp balance, packaged in jars for long and used in salads or as sides; this category extends to sour pickles and antipasti-style items. Condiments, including sauces and mustards, complement these, such as vinegars and meat accompaniments, while the Fray Bentos line under Baxters introduces canned pies and puddings—like the classic in tins—as hearty, convenient meal options rooted in British canning traditions. These categories collectively prioritize ambient-stable, preservative-light formulations, with many earning Royal Warrant recognition for quality supplied to the British monarchy.

Key Brands and Subsidiaries

Baxters Food Group maintains its flagship brand centered on premium ambient foods, including soups, preserves, pickles, , and chutneys, with production rooted in traditional recipes since the company's founding in 1868. The brand emphasizes high-quality ingredients and holds a Royal Warrant for supplying soups and preserves to the British royal household. A prominent acquired brand is , purchased from Princes in November 2011 for an undisclosed sum. This iconic line features canned meat pies, deep-fill pies, meatballs, meaty puddings, and related convenience foods, manufactured at Baxters' facilities in . Post-acquisition, Baxters expanded the range with items like instant hot meals while preserving the brand's emphasis on affordable, ready-to-heat products. Key subsidiaries include Orexis Fresh Foods Ltd, acquired in August 2020 to enter the chilled foods market. Based in , Orexis specializes in ready-to-eat products such as dips, , , and ethnic-inspired spreads, leveraging over 50 years of expertise in chilled manufacturing. In , Baxters operates through Baxters , bolstered by the December 2020 acquisition of Truitt Bros., Inc., a contract manufacturer of shelf-stable, thermally processed foods including fruits, vegetables, and desserts. This was followed by a merger with Wornick Foods in 2022, combining facilities in , ; ; and East Bernstadt, , to enhance private-label and branded production capabilities.

Achievements and Innovations

Business Milestones and Economic Contributions

Baxters Food Group was established in 1868 in , , , by George and Margaret Baxter as a small village store producing jams and jellies, marking the foundation of a family-owned enterprise that evolved into a global . By 1917, the company constructed a dedicated near the River Spey for jam production, enabling scaled manufacturing. In 1923, Ethel Baxter pioneered the of local fruits such as strawberries and raspberries, positioning Baxters as one of 's earliest producers of canned fruits in syrup. The introduction of soups in 1929, including the Royal Game soup supplied to retailers like and , diversified the product line and supported early export growth. In the mid-20th century, Baxters received its first Royal Warrant from Queen Elizabeth II in the 1950s for Scottish food specialities, followed by additional warrants from Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and King Gustav VI of , signifying recognition of quality and royal patronage. The 1960s saw the launch of the "Best of Scotland" branding, facilitating international expansion into and . Under fourth-generation leadership, Audrey Baxter assumed control in 1992, driving global product diversification. Key modern expansions include the 2014 acquisition of U.S.-based Wornick Foods, a manufacturer, which boosted annual turnover by approximately £75 million and enhanced North American presence. Further U.S. growth occurred in 2022 through the merger of Wornick Foods with Truitt Bros., establishing , as the North American headquarters and integrating facilities in and for production. In 2018, the company relocated its headquarters to while retaining core operations in , coinciding with a 14% increase to £338.3 million. Baxters contributes to the Scottish through centered in , employing over 1,000 workers across its facilities and supporting local supply chains for ingredients like Scottish and . Exports, which comprised about 68% of its £248.6 million turnover in (£168 million), underscore its role in bolstering Scotland's food and drink sector, valued at £15 billion annually and a key GDP driver via . The company's visitor centre and Highland Village in further generate tourism-related economic activity, drawing visitors to showcase production processes and regional heritage.

Product Quality and Industry Recognition

Baxters Food Group holds a granted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1955 for the provision of Scottish food specialities, signifying the company's products meet the high standards required for supply to the royal household. This prestigious endorsement, renewed periodically, underscores a long-standing commitment to quality in premium food production. In the 2023 Great Taste Awards, organized by the Guild of Fine Food, six Baxters products received accolades, highlighting excellence in flavor, craftsmanship, and ingredient sourcing as judged by over 400 experts including chefs, buyers, and producers. These awards, considered among the UK's most coveted for artisanal foods, reflect the company's adherence to traditional recipes and premium standards. Baxters has been recognized for best practices in Scottish food and drink , with case studies emphasizing and in production processes. The company's focus on sourcing high-quality ingredients and maintaining rigorous standards contributes to its reputation for reliable, premium products in the competitive and speciality foods sector.

Criticisms and Controversies

Health and Safety Violations

In 2015, Baxters Food Group Limited was fined £6,000 at Elgin after guilty to breaching Regulations 11(1) and 11(2) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), following an incident where employee Kayode Ogundele suffered serious hand injuries that left him without full use of his arm after it was pulled into machinery. On January 30, 2014, production worker Jodie Cormack sustained life-changing injuries at the company's Fochabers factory when she slipped into a collecting hopper while attempting to clear a potato blockage on a conveyor belt, resulting in her being pulled into a running auger; this led to partial amputation of her right foot, multiple surgeries, and eventual below-knee amputation of her left leg, requiring her to use a prosthetic. Baxters admitted breaching Section 2(1) and Section 33(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 due to inadequate risk assessments, unsafe systems of work for clearing blockages, and insufficient training and supervision; the company was fined £60,000 at Inverness Sheriff Court in October 2015. Another incident occurred on March 13, 2015, when employee , aged 28, mutilated his hand—suffering fractured bones, flattened knuckles, and a puncture —while clearing a blockage in a pie packaging machine at the site, as a faulty alarm that had been non-functional for months failed to alert him to the machine's activation despite a prior HSE improvement notice from March 2014. The company lacked proper risk assessments, training, and safety information, leading to a guilty under Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and a £70,000 fine imposed at on September 22, 2016. These prosecutions by the Health and Safety Executive highlight recurring issues with machinery guarding, maintenance of safety alarms, and procedures for blockage clearance in Baxters' production processes, though no further convictions have been publicly recorded since 2016.

Industrial Relations Challenges

Baxters Food Group has encountered periodic workforce reductions amid economic pressures, including restructuring costs and inflationary challenges. In December 2013, the company announced potential redundancies affecting up to 50 employees across its operations, with more than 20 positions under review at its Selkirk facility, as part of efforts to streamline production following expansion-related strains. These measures were linked to broader profitability declines, with pre-tax profits falling 61.2% in the prior year due to acquisition debts and operational costs. Further consultations occurred in May 2016 at the headquarters, where up to 80 jobs were at risk out of a seasonal workforce peaking at 700, driven by the need to address inefficiencies in processes. By 2018, restructuring culminated in 60 job losses at , contributing to £4 million in exceptional costs and a £675,000 pre-tax loss for the year, as the firm adjusted to competitive market dynamics and reduced demand for certain product lines. In December 2023, Baxters confirmed a "small number" of redundancies across its sites, attributing the cuts to "unprecedented inflationary pressures" on input costs and , which eroded margins despite efforts to maintain employment levels. These actions prompted local concerns, with an SNP MSP describing the losses as "concerning" for the regional economy reliant on the firm's 450+ staff. Additionally, in May 2025, Baxters was named by authorities for failing to pay the national , owing £19,765 to 62 workers at its operation, highlighting compliance lapses in payroll practices during a prior assessment period. The company responded by affirming its commitment to fair pay, though the incident underscored vulnerabilities in administrative oversight amid cost-control efforts. No major union disputes or strikes have been publicly documented, with challenges primarily manifesting as reactive adjustments to financial headwinds rather than systemic labor conflicts.

References

  1. https://www.baxters.com/
  2. https://www.baxtersofscotland.com/pages/story
  3. https://uk.linkedin.com/company/baxters-food-group
  4. https://shop.baxters.com/pages/our-history
  5. https://www.baxters.com/our-company/timeline
  6. https://www.baxters.com/our-company/news-and-media/a-super-six-in-the-great-taste-awards-2023
  7. https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/W._A._Baxter_and_Sons
  8. https://baxtersna.com/about-us/
  9. https://www.baxterfamilycharity.org/history/
  10. https://kids.kiddle.co/Baxters
  11. https://www.insider.co.uk/special-reports/big-profile-blast-past-audrey-10842987
  12. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12416200.baxters-expands-horizons-with-first-ever-acquisition-overseas-group-snaps-up-canadas-leading-maker-of-private-label-soups/
  13. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-15796857
  14. https://www.just-food.com/news/uks-baxters-food-group-acquires-us-based-truitt-bros/
  15. https://www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/Article/2018/06/20/Soup-firm-sells-off-Canadian-subsidiary/
  16. https://foodindustryexecutive.com/2022/05/major-milestones-marked-in-baxters-north-america-expansion/
  17. https://www.baxters.com/our-company/our-people
  18. https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/SC023572/officers
  19. https://www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/Article/2013/04/03/Pie-manufacturer-Fray-Bentos-starts-production-at-Baxters-site/
  20. https://www.just-food.com/news/baxters-food-group-to-transform-manufacturing-network/
  21. https://gregory.co.uk/baxters-case-study
  22. https://baxtersna.com/contact/
  23. https://www.baxters.com/static/Baxters-Modern-Slavery-Statement-FY25.pdf
  24. https://panjiva.com/Baxters-Food-Group/1024848
  25. https://www.baxters.com/our-company
  26. https://www.insider.co.uk/company-results-forecasts/baxters-food-group-charlotte-square-13802381
  27. https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/business/3850515/top-north-food-brands-embark-on-middle-east-adventure/
  28. https://www.insider.co.uk/company-results-forecasts/acquisition-lifts-baxters-food-group-9875121
  29. https://www.scotsman.com/business/baxters-pursues-recipe-for-global-growth-with-us-acquisition-3075401
  30. https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/news/baxters-expands-into-chilled-foods-with-orexis-acquisition/647212.article
  31. https://www.baxters.com/static/Brand-Manager-January-20.pdf
  32. https://www.baxters.com/products
  33. https://www.baxters.com/products/soup
  34. https://shop.baxters.com/collections/all
  35. https://www.baxtersofscotland.com/collections/audrey-baxter-signature-range
  36. https://www.baxters.com/products/chutney
  37. https://www.weareegg.co.uk/stories/behind-the-brand-baxters-a-scottish-success-story
  38. https://www.baxters.com/products/fray-bentos
  39. https://www.thedrum.com/news/2011/11/18/baxters-food-group-acquires-fray-bentos-brand
  40. https://www.baxters.com/goodness/baxters-food-group-acquires-orexis-fresh-foods
  41. https://www.just-food.com/news/baxters-food-group-enters-uk-chilled-market-with-deal-for-orexis-fresh-foods/
  42. https://www.heraldscotland.com/business_hq/13202650.baxters-hails-us-acquisition-major-step-development/
  43. https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/business/local/848488/75million-sales-boost-for-baxters-all-thanks-to-us-military-rations/
  44. https://www.nasdaq.com/press-release/major-milestones-marked-in-baxters-north-america-expansion-2022-05-10
  45. https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/25171-30
  46. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfHvslA82-s
  47. https://www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/Article/2015/05/11/Baxters-fined-6k-for-worker-s-injury/
  48. https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/crime-courts/572602/world-famous-baxters-fined-over-health-and-safety-breach/
  49. https://www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/Article/2015/10/02/Soup-company-sentenced-over-serious-injuries/
  50. https://www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/Article/2016/09/26/Soup-firm-fined-for-health-and-safety-failings/
  51. https://resources.hse.gov.uk/convictions-history/defendant/defendant_details.asp?SF=DID&SV=1120424
  52. https://www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/Article/2013/12/16/Soup-maker-Baxters-contemplates-redundancies/
  53. https://www.heraldscotland.com/business_hq/13148999.profits-plummet-debt-rises-baxters/
  54. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-36305444
  55. https://www.heraldscotland.com/business_hq/15890118.soup-giant-baxters-falls-red/
  56. https://www.just-food.com/news/uk-soup-group-baxters-confirms-job-cuts/
  57. https://www.northern-scot.co.uk/news/unprecedented-inflationary-pressures-forces-baxters-food-g-335051/
  58. https://www.thenational.scot/news/23971488.scottish-firm-baxters-job-losses-concerning-says-msp/
  59. https://www.thenational.scot/news/25200177.44-scottish-firms-named-shamed-failing-pay-minimum-wage/
  60. https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/business/local/6768233/8-north-and-north-east-firms-who-broke-minimum-wage-law/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.