GWF is proud to be one of Australia and New Zealand's largest food manufacturers, with operations that
span close to 60 sites and employs close to 8,000 staff across Australia and New Zealand.
We boast iconic brands and produce premium quality foods and hygienic products that are enjoyed each
and every day by millions of Australians and New Zealanders
Click on the links below for the latest on what's new at GWF.
Media inquiries should be directed to our Consumer Information Centre on
1800 147 613.
George Weston Foods launches first Corporate Responsibility Report
George Weston Foods supports Food Allergy Awareness Week
George Weston Foods appoints new Chief Executive
GWF Action on Salt
Folic Acid and Iodine Fortification Overview
Don KRC – Castlemaine Expansion Go-Ahead
Hoax Communications Alert
George Weston Foods launches first Corporate Responsibility Report
28 June 2011: George Weston Foods Limited (GWF) is pleased to share with you our first corporate responsibility (CR) report for the 2010 year. The report showcases the great work of so many of our people across the business and demonstrates the part CR plays in GWF’s culture.
For GWF, corporate responsibility is about doing the right thing – which is part of our company’s everyday business practice.
Although CR is not new to us, formally sharing our performance outside the business is. This comprehensive report highlights where we are and where we want to be and sets out firm foundations for future opportunities.
Through this form of reporting we are enabling our stakeholders to see the progress we have made and our plans for the future. It is our hope that you can share the journey with our people and work with us to help us achieve our goals.
Corporate Responsibility Report 2010
George Weston Foods supports Food Allergy Awareness Week
16 May 2011: George Weston Foods Limited (GWF) is committed to playing a proactive role in assisting consumers to manage their health and overall wellbeing, by empowering them to make informed food choices that help maximise their quality of life.
During Food Allergy Awareness Week (FAAW), 16th – 21st May, Anaphylaxis Australia aims to reach and inform people on how to support food allergic consumers in managing their allergens. GWF is in full support of this initiative through our work with the Allergen Bureau, of which GWF is a founding member.
GWF acknowledges the needs of food allergic consumers and is committed to providing clear and consistent labelling information, to assist consumers who may need to be alerted to the presence of allergenic substances in food.
We label products to indicate the presence of allergenic substances, whether they are used as ingredients or are present through unavoidable cross contact – by using the Voluntary Incidental Trace Allergen Labelling (VITAL) Risk Assessment process.
GWF will continue to contribute and share information, knowledge and expertise with the international body of those wanting to progress food allergy management thus increasing the awareness within the community.
Further information can be obtained by contacting our Consumer Information Centre on 1800 645 515 or via consumer@gwf.com.au
George Weston Foods appoints new Chief Executive
07 February 2011:Today George Weston Foods Limited (GWF), a division of Associated British Foods (ABF), announced Andrew Reeves as its new Chief Executive, to lead the company’s future growth.
Andrew starts his new role with GWF in April 2011, following the departure of the company’s previous Chief Executive, Geoff Starr. Over the past five years, Geoff led significant change at GWF and the broader industry through his board membership of the Australian Food and Grocery Council and Foodbank Australia.
Andrew has in-depth knowledge and experience in the Australian and New Zealand food industries, with over 28 years in senior roles with market leading companies including Lion Nathan and Coca-Cola Amatil. Most recently, as Managing Director of National Foods, a Lion Nathan subsidiary, Andrew has been a driving force in transforming their sales and marketing capability, with a strong focus on the consumer and delivering through effective partnerships.
George Weston, ABF’s Chief Executive, said, “After an intensive global search, we’re delighted to have secured an executive of Andrew’s calibre to lead GWF’s next stage of evolution in the dynamic and increasingly competitive markets in which our diverse businesses operate.”
Until Andrew takes up the role in April, ABF has appointed one of their most senior Executives, Sarah Arrowsmith, currently ABF’s CEO of UK Grocery, as interim Chief Executive for GWF, reporting directly to George Weston. Sarah has solid experience in the Australian business, having previously led GWF’s Tip Top Division. Sarah will ensure business momentum is maintained and a smooth transition upon Andrew’s arrival.
04 June 2010: George Weston Foods (GWF) is committed to providing a range of quality products that contribute positively towards a healthy and balanced diet for all Australians. We are dedicated to providing a range of high quality products and a wide variety of choices across our brands to meet the varied needs of our consumers.
The consumption of deli meats in Australia is consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Australians. As with most food products, we recommend that smallgoods should be eaten as part of a healthy, balanced diet combined with a healthy lifestyle to help support an individual’s wellbeing.
GWF is committed to working with the Federal Government and the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) under the Food and Health Dialogue. We have taken a lead in the Bread Round table - all of our Tip Top® bread range already meet the sodium target of 400mg/100g, well ahead of the 2012 deadline.
We are committed to continuing our involvement with this initiative to develop salt reduction targets for processed meats. The Don® Lite Leg Ham already has the Heart Foundation tick meeting their strict nutritional criteria for sodium and fat content.
GWF has been a leader in reducing the salt levels in our breads since December 1997, when we became one of the first companies to work with the National Heart Foundation (NHF) to establish the initial sodium criteria of 450mg/100g for the bread category, as part of the ‘Heart Tick’ program. GWF was recognised in April this year for our 20 year partnership with the Heart Foundation. We have now achieved a further reduction to 400mg/100g across our mainstream bread portfolio – joining our Burgen® range of breads which has met this benchmark since 2004.
As part of this new reduction initiative, over 346 tonnes of salt will be removed annually from the Australian food supply – a significant contribution to the nation’s health and another way that market leader Tip Top® Sunblest® has set the trend towards improving the nutritional credentials of bread.
All GWF products provide full nutrition and ingredient labelling to ensure consumers can make informed choices about the foods they eat. GWF has made a commitment to implementing % Daily Intake (%DI) thumbnails of nutrients on the front of pack across our entire product range. GWF will include energy as well as total fat, saturated fat, sugars and sodium – which will provide consumers with a better understanding about the contribution of sodium per serve to their overall diet and help them make informed food choices.
Consumers can contact one of our Consumer Information Advisors for further information on any of our wide variety of great tasting products.
Don KRC – Castlemaine Expansion Go-Ahead
21 August 2009: Don KRC is set to move ahead with the expansion of its Castlemaine site, worth more than $150 million, which will secure the leading smallgoods manufacturer as a major employer in the region.
Applications for the extension and upgrading of the site have been approved by both the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and Mount Alexander Shire.
The project, which includes $80 million in equipment and new technology, will create more than 280 jobs during the construction phase and is expected to lead to more than 200 additional roles with the business in the long term.
"Feedback from our planning consultation process with the community, local business, government and environmental groups was overwhelmingly in support of the expansion," said Mel Sutton, CEO.
"The expansion represents a substantial investment in the region by Don KRC in terms of future career opportunities, environmental benefits and planned improvements to the local amenity, including roadways.
"Our consultation process doesn’t stop here - this is a long-term investment for Don KRC and the local community."
Don KRC is supporting the Castlemaine community’s environmental initiatives through involvement in the Maines Power initiative. The project identified cogeneration as the most efficient option for the site to achieve its 30% greenhouse gas reduction target.
Preliminary earthworks approved by Mount Alexander Shire have been underway since early April, clearing the site along Richards Road where the new extension will begin to take shape in coming months.
The works are set for completion at the end of 2010 and will support the relocation of manufacturing operations from Spearwood (WA) and Altona (VIC).
Local trades and services interested in being involved with the expansion will have an opportunity to find out more at an information session in September.
GWF has recently become aware of fraudulent emails and facsimiles being sent which appear to be from GWF or an entity called "George Weston Foods plc" or "George Weston Foods Company plc". Some of these communications make various representations about the commercial position of GWF and purport to offer employment or other business opportunities. These communications have not in fact originated from GWF and are not authorised by GWF. GWF does not send unsolicited email or facsimile communications. If you suspect that you have received such correspondence or are unsure whether correspondence you have received which purports to be from us is genuine, please contact our Consumer Information Centre on 1800 645 515 (free call from Australia).
We take this opportunity to remind all our valued customers and consumers to use updated security software including anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-spam and firewall applications.