History
Oleomargarine was invented by a French chemist in 1869, which uses a variety of soluble and insoluble ingredients which quickly became an alternative to butter. Soon after its invention it came under regulation, to protect the dairy industry where taxes were levied on yellow margarine and in some countries an outright ban on its sale.
Newfoundland did not have a strong dairy industry at the turn of the 19th century and subsequently embraced the production of margarine. Then in 1883, under the direction of Robert A. Brehm, Harvey and Company started the first margarine manufacturing plant. This plant used fish and seal oils in its production. Brehm had left Harvey and Company shortly thereafter and started a second manufacturing plant under the name Hearn and Company which he eventually renamed Brehm Manufacturing Company after the death of his partners.
A third manufacturing plant was opened on LeMarchant Road, St. John’s by John Chalker Crosbie in 1925. They had hired the expertise of a Danish chemist George Ehlers in its manufacture. Within a short time this firm had taken a leading role in the production of margarine for the country. The product was sold in wooden tubs under the brands of Golden Spread and Silver Spread.
The original two companies, Harvey and Company and Brehm Manufacturing Company had amalgamated in 1932 and sold their plant to Lever Brothers of England under Unilever Limited in 1937. Then in 1938 the Newfoundland Butter Company was sold to the Lever Brothers. Then only one plant remained in existence, The Newfoundland Butter Company on LeMarchant Road. The name was eventually changed to Newfoundland Margarine Company Limited in 1950.
Read more about this topic: Newfoundland Margarine Company Limited
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