The Smith's Snackfood Company - Smiths in Australia

Smiths in Australia

'Smith's Crisps' were first manufactured in Australia in 1931 by Mr. Smith and an associate, George Ensor in leased premises in Sydney's Surry Hills. They were originally made in 20 gas fired cooking pots, then packed by hand and distributed by Nestle confectionery vans.

'Smith's Potato Crisps' sold its early crisps in three penny packets, 24 to a tin. "Twist of salt" sachets were included before pre-salting had been introduced. In March 1932, Smith's Potato Crisps Ltd. went into voluntary liquidation as a result of the Great Depression. However three months later George Ensor tendered for the business put up for sale by the liquidators, and on 13 May 1932, 'Smith's Potato Crisps (Australia)' was formed with the UK Smith's Company holding a majority interest over minor shareholders. Growth after World War II was rapid so a continuous cooker process was introduced to replace the individual cooking pots and in 1960 the production of a one shilling pack for cinemas and a box pack for four shillings was initiated. In 1961 Smith's introduced its first flavoured crisp - chicken. It was a very popular flavour, influencing most competitors at the time to adopt a Chicken variation. Other flavours released were Original and Salt & Vinegar.

Seven years later Associated Products and Distribution Pty Ltd (APD), partnered with PepsiCo beverages Ltd, which had built up a significant snack food company that sold chips and nuts and bought a 41.5% share of Smith's Potato Crisps (Australia)s parent company. Over the next 20 years other takeovers and new products (including Twisties and Burger Rings brands) drove growth. PepsiCo took over the company in1998. was formed and in March 1990, the APD name was replaced by 'CCA Snackfoods'.

The Smiths Snackfood company in 1998 was Australia’s largest producer of salty snack foods and was acquired in August 1998, by Frito-Lay the second largest producer of salt snack foods in Australia, which is owned by PepsiCo. To prevent the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) from intervening for unfair trading practices Frito-Lay divested a range of brands, manufacturing facilities, including plants in Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria. The package was named Snack Brands Australia and was sold to Dollar Sweets Holdings. Coincidentally Frito-Lay's British subsidiary Walkers are the successor to the original Smiths Crisps Ltd. of England. Recently, portions contained in "large" bags of Smith's Snackfood products has diminished, from in some cases, 220g down to 175g.

In that package included the brands sold were CC's, Cheezels, Thins and Samboy.

They retain the 'crisps' title, despite Australians using the term 'chips' instead.