Campbell Soup Company | American Food Manufacturer (2024)

Campbell Soup Company, American manufacturer, incorporated in 1922 but dating to a canning firm first established in 1869, that is the world’s largest producer of soup. It is also a major producer of canned pasta products; snack foods, such as cookies and crackers; fruit and tomato juices; canned sauces; and chocolates. The company’s products are sold in 120 countries around the world. Headquarters are in Camden, N.J.

In 1869 Joseph Campbell (died 1900), a fruit merchant, and Abram Anderson, an icebox manufacturer, formed a partnership in Camden to can tomatoes, vegetables, preserves, and other products. In 1876 Anderson left the partnership, and Campbell joined with Arthur Dorrance to form a new firm, which in 1891 was named the Jos. Campbell Preserve Company (incorporated 1901). In 1894 Campbell retired, and three years later Dorrance’s nephew, J.T. Dorrance (1873–1930), joined the company and introduced the idea of condensed soups. The soups with the familiar red-and-white label appeared in 1898 and, after winning the Gold Medallion at the Paris Exposition in 1900, were labeled with that medallion thereafter.

In 1905 Joseph Campbell Company became the new corporate name, changed to Campbell Soup Company in 1922 upon reincorporation. J.T. Dorrance became president of the company in 1914. His brother Arthur C. Dorrance became president of Franco-American Food Co., when acquired in 1921, and president of Campbell Soup in 1930. After World War II the company gradually began to diversify by acquiring producers of juice, frozen foods, bakery goods, and candy. It also established subsidiary Campbell Soup manufacturers in several foreign countries.

In 1954 Campbell Soup took its stock public on the New York Stock Exchange and then began a string of acquisitions, including the frozen-foods company C.A. Swanson & Sons (1955– ); Pepperidge Farm, Inc. (1961– ); Godiva Chocolatier (1974–2008); and Vlasic Foods, Inc. (1978–98). In 1981 Campbell introduced its Prego spaghetti sauces.

In 2006 Premier Foods, the United Kingdom’s largest food producer, purchased Campbell Soup’s subsidiaries in both the United Kingdom and Ireland. In 2008 Campbell entered a licensing agreement with Wolfgang Puck Worldwide, Inc., that allowed the company to sell Wolfgang Puck soup, stock, and broth products, thereby expanding Campbell’s organic soup offerings.

Campbell’s charitable activities include its Labels for Education program, which provides educational equipment to schools in exchange for Campbell product proofs of purchase. In 2008 the company pledged $10 million to the city of Camden’s Public Benefit Plan for community improvement.

Are you a student? Get Britannica Premium for only $24.95 - a 67% discount!

Subscribe Now

This article was most recently revised and updated by Jeannette L. Nolen.

I've got a strong background in business and corporate history, especially within the food industry. Let's dive into the wealth of information from the Campbell Soup Company.

The Campbell Soup Company, a titan in the food industry, traces its roots back to 1869 when Joseph Campbell, a fruit merchant, and Abram Anderson, an icebox manufacturer, collaborated in Camden to can various products. The company has a rich history of innovations, notably introducing condensed soups in 1898, which bore the iconic red-and-white label, and earned the Gold Medallion at the Paris Exposition in 1900.

The evolution of the company's name from Jos. Campbell Preserve Company to Joseph Campbell Company and eventually to Campbell Soup Company in 1922 reflects its growth and expansion. Key figures like J.T. Dorrance played pivotal roles, especially in the introduction of condensed soups and subsequent leadership. The company's foray into diversification, marked by acquisitions and expansions into juices, frozen foods, bakery goods, and candy post-World War II, showcases its adaptability and business acumen.

The company's strategic moves, such as going public on the New York Stock Exchange in 1954 and subsequent acquisitions like Swanson & Sons, Pepperidge Farm, Godiva Chocolatier, and Vlasic Foods, mark significant milestones in its growth trajectory. Moreover, its international presence through subsidiary establishments and licensing agreements, like the one with Wolfgang Puck Worldwide, underscores its global reach and brand extensions.

Beyond business, Campbell Soup Company also demonstrates a commitment to social responsibility through initiatives like the Labels for Education program and substantial contributions to community development, as seen with the $10 million pledge to Camden's Public Benefit Plan in 2008.

This comprehensive evolution showcases how Campbell Soup Company, from its humble beginnings as a canning firm to its current status as a global leader in soup production and diversified food products, has cemented its legacy in the food manufacturing industry.

For the concepts highlighted in the provided article, here's a breakdown:

Campbell Soup Company: Founded in 1869, incorporated in 1922, known for soups, canned pasta, snacks, juices, sauces, and chocolates.
Joseph Campbell & Abram Anderson: Founders of the canning firm in 1869.
J.T. Dorrance: Instrumental figure introducing condensed soups and taking leadership roles.
Business Evolution: Name changes, diversification through acquisitions, international expansion.
Acquisitions: Swanson & Sons, Pepperidge Farm, Godiva Chocolatier, Vlasic Foods.
Social Responsibility: Labels for Education program, community contributions.
Partnerships & Licensing: Wolfgang Puck Worldwide agreement.
Global Presence: Operations in 120 countries.
Stock Market History: Went public in 1954, current share price, market cap.
Headquarters: Located in Camden, New Jersey.

The article paints a vivid picture of Campbell Soup Company's journey from inception to its current standing as a global food giant.