Club News NZ Iconic Brands

Phil Sai-Louie  gave us a fact-filled analysis of a dozen well known Kiwi brands, many dating back more than a century.  Although some of the names still existed, there had been an inexorable take over by multi-national companies.

 

Tip Top [now owned by Nestle]; Georgie Pie [killed off by McDonalds]; Lemon & Paeroa [now owned by Coca Cola]; Glaxo from Bunnythorpe in the Manawatu [now part of Glaxo Smith Kline, the largest pharmaceutical company in the world]; Sanitarium [Seventh Day Adventist, non-tax paying and around 150 products] and Kellogg; the Chelsea Sugar Refinery, established at Birkenhead; Chesdale [vacuum packing and processed spreadable cheeses] now part of Fonterra; Edmonds[“Sure to Rise” baking powder] – the first edition of the Cook Book was in 1907 – now part of Goodman Fielder Wattie; Masport [Mason & Porter] 1930, the first hand lawn mower [now taken over by AL-KO Gardentech];  Tux dog biscuits, started by Tony Moore in Blenheim and now part of Nestle Purina Petcare; and The Warehouse started by Stephen Tindall, now part of NZ’s largest retail chain [incorporating Noel Leeming etc].

A nostalgic trip down memory lane for many of those present, and a reminder for others of the Kiwi can-do approach to almost anything, including business.   Phil agreed to incorporate some knowledgeable interjections from members into his future presentations. Indeed Big Wig Ed.

 

 

 

Chairing his first meeting, President-Elect Mike Alison ( fully suited & booted) welcomed Di Martens to the meeting, along with our speaker, historian Phil Sai-Louie.
 
Mike reminded members of the start for the year of Aorere College’s Reading Enrichment Programme on Thursday.......