Associated British Foods

Associated British Foods was founded in 1935 and its headquarters is based in the UK. The company operates in 50 countries across the world and its activities are divided into 5 sectors: Grocery, Agriculture, Retail, Sugar and Ingredients. 

Associated British Foods achieved a turnover of €1745 million and currently employs 137000 persons. Associated British Foods has an extensive range of brands. Over time the business has also acquired various companies in different sectors and launched its own subsidiaries.

In the Grocery Sector, Associated British Foods owns various businesses which include: 

• AB World Foods which produces a wide range of food items such as curry paste and sauces under the brands Patak’s, Blue Dragon and Tabasco. 

• ACH is a business that operates in North America and owns brands like Mazola, Karo and Argo.

• Allied Bakeries is a company located in the UK and produces pastries and other bakery goods under several brands which include Allinson, Burgen, Sunblest and KIngsmill.

• Allied Mills - This subsidiary specialises in milled flour and semolina which it distributes not only to ABF companies but other bakeries in the UK as well.

• George Weston Foods Limited - The company offers various types of breads under brands like Burgen and Tip Top. However, the company is also involved in animal feed products and flour milling.

• Ryvita offers a range of products such as crispbread and other healthy products. Ryvita acquired Jordans as well as Dorset Cereals.

• The Silver Spoon Company offers a wide range of products that include sugar in different forms such as demerara, syrup, cubes and icing sugar.

• Speedibake produces a wide range of baked goods such as breads, rolls and pastries. Speedibake portfolio includes more than 600 products.

• Twinings is a tea business that offers over 200 varieties of tea. The company merged with Ovaltine which offers a range of hot chocolate and malt drinks.

• Westmill offers products such as rice, spices, sauces, flour, noodles and many more products. The company distributes several brands such as Patak’s, Guru, Habib and Rajah.

In the Sugar section, the subsidiary AB Sugar manufactures cane sugar as well as beet sugar and has set up factories in Europe, Africa as well as China. The company also has several by-products which include bioethanol, animal feed and electricity.

In the Agriculture sector, AB Agri provides farmers and related businesses with products such as animal feed. 

Concerning the Ingredients sector, Associated British Foods provides products such as yeast, emulsifying enzymes and also developed a pharmaceutical range of products.

In the Retail sector, the company owns Primark, a retail group with over 360 shops across the world. The company offers products such as clothing, accessories and beauty products.

Associated British Foods is concerned about the welfare of people and the environment. 82% of the group’s waste has been recycled and the company is also using energy from renewable sources. The company also donates food regularly and has created nutrition education programs programs. 

Suppliers and their employees are also trained by the group regarding sustainable practice. In India, 6000 female farmers received training in sustainable farming methods.