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 9000 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.
Folic Acid and Iodine Fortification Overview
Don KRC – Castlemaine Expansion Go-Ahead
Hoax Communications Alert
Burgen® releases Burgen® Grains with Barley & Burgen® Soy-Lin® Rolls
Don KRC business announced some major changes
GWF relaunches its corporate website
Research unlocks new insights into weight management
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).
GWF has also recently become aware of fraudulent job advertisements posted in relation to positions with GWF based in North America. While GWF is a wholly owned subsidiary of Associated British Foods plc and has related companies and joint ventures that operate in North America, GWF itself is not based in and is not currently recruiting in North America. If you are unsure whether any job advertisement that you have seen in relation to GWF is genuine, please contact us directly via our website.
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.
Burgen® releases Burgen® Grains with Barley & Burgen® Soy-Lin® Rolls
Burgen® has released two innovative new products into the market this week - Burgen® Grains with Barley & Burgen® Soy-Lin® Rolls.
Burgen® Grains with Barley is the man’s answer to Burgen® Soy-Lin® and is the first and only Australian bread developed specifically with men’s health and wellbeing in mind. The innovative bread contains soy isoflavones for prostate health; protein for muscle strength; wholegrains for longer lasting energy ; Omega 3 ALA from soy and seeds for heart health; and is high in fibre – helping men reach their often missed daily targets . Burgen® Grains with Barley is available in Supermarkets nationwide from January 19, 2009 at a recommended retail price (RRP) of $4.79.
Burgen® Soy-Lin® Rolls for women’s wellbeing offer a great way to enjoy that same delicious Soy-Lin® taste in a whole new format. Similar to the Burgen® Soy-Lin® loaf, Soy-Lin® Rolls are good for women’s wellbeing in 5 ways by providing: calcium for strong bones and teeth, iron for energy, folate for a healthy baby, phytoestrogens for women’s wellbeing & Omega 3 ALA from linseeds for heart health. Burgen® Soy-Lin® Rolls are available at Supermarkets nationwide (excl. Coles) at a recommended retail price (RRP) of $3.99.
For more information on these products and the rest of the Burgen range visit www.burgen.com.au. Your Body Works Better with Burgen®
Don KRC business announced some major changes
Recently the Don KRC business announced some major changes to our manufacturing operations, resulting in the eventual closure of our factories at Spearwood (WA) and Altona (VIC).
This was a sad thing to announce but absolutely necessary for the survival of the business. Over the next two years as those facilities gradually close, the employees affected will be assisted to plan and complete their career transitions and their full entitlements will be met.
To our valued customers, consumers, business partners to everyone else interested in the welfare of these iconic brands I would like to give you an assurance. As we relocate production and make changes to the business quality will not be compromised. We will serve you according to the same high standards, provide the same high quality products and build an even better business.
Don and KR Castlemaine brands are here to stay. There is 150 years of history in these brands and we plan to be around for another 150 years.
Thank you for your continued support as we move to secure the future of these iconic brands and to create a rewarding future for our workforce.
Mel Sutton,
CEO Don KRC
GWF relaunches its corporate website
Welcome to the new-look GWF website. If you are a regular visitor you will notice we have made a number of improvements to the design and navigation to make it easier for you to find the information you need. If this is your first visit to the website – welcome!
The site has been designed to provide you with unique insights into what makes GWF the company it is – particularly the P.R.I.D.E. values to which we aspire- Passion, Responsibility, Integrity, Drive and Empathy. There is also information on our range of brands, our commitment to good nutrition, the latest GWF news and more, so take some time to look around the site.
If you are looking for information on our company values, heritage and breadth of sites across Australia and New Zealand, you can find it all under the "Who we are" tab.
Information on particular segments of our business, including brands and products, hygiene, animal nutrition, and our research and technological services, is located under "Our Business" tab. You will even find links to some of our brand specific websites here too.
Our company focus and mission statement can be found under the "What we stand for", latest news across our business is under "What's new?" section and if you're thinking about joining our team, go to the "Work with us" tab.
We hope you enjoy our new site and welcome your feedback. We want to ensure we are providing you with the information you need for healthy eating, so if you have thoughts and suggestions please get in touch with us using the "Contact Us" tab.
Research unlocks new insights into weight management
15 April 2008: New research released today by the University of Sydney1 has revealed daily bread choice can play a role in satisfying hunger and decreasing food intake at a subsequent meal.
The research study2 asked subjects to consume standard white sandwich bread and Bürgen® Wholemeal and Seeds bread - and rank their feelings of fullness following each meal, as well as the subsequent meal's food intake.
Results demonstrate that eating two slices of Bürgen® Wholemeal and Seeds bread as part of a breakfast meal left subjects feeling fuller for longer. On average, subjects reduced their intake by 500 kilojoules and 4g of fat compared to when they ate two slices of standard white bread.
Research investigator - Professor of Human Nutrition at the University of Sydney and Australian Director, Glycemic Index (GI) Symbol Program - Jennie Brand-Miller, says the results shed new light on the issue of satiety and weight management.
"A lack of satisfying, filling foods is a hurdle for many when trying to maintain a balanced, healthy diet. There are a lot of diets and food fads that claim to improve satiety - which is why we were keen to conduct a scientific study in this area.
"The research clearly demonstrates eating Bürgen® Wholemeal and Seeds bread enhances satiety and consequently decreases food intake at the next meal."
The trial also revealed that after eating two slices of Bürgen® Wholemeal and Seeds bread subjects had a lower glycemic response as compared to white bread, which may have contributed to keeping hunger pangs at bay.
Burgen Wholemeal and Seeds bread is also a good source of dietary fibre and provides protein – both of which may have also helped to provide the greater satiety response.
The research is unveiled with the re-launch of several newly reformulated Bürgen® bread variants. The Bürgen® range includes seven variants - each of which has been specifically developed with Nutritionists to provide the goodness of wholegrains as well as a wide range of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals3 which are essential for good health.
Kathy Usic, Accredited Practising Dietitian and Nutrition Manager, George Weston Foods Baking, says the Bürgen® range helps consumers to tailor their choice of bread to their specific health requirements.
“Bürgen® recognises that everyone has different nutritional needs and in response has launched a newly reformulated range to provide choice and variety when it comes to making healthy eating choices. We understand that a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle can mean different things to different people, and we cater for a range of different needs”
"The new research demonstrates one way our Bürgen® Wholemeal and Seeds bread may assist with weight management4, which is just one area we focus on in the range. For example, our newly reformulated Bürgen® Oatbran and Honey bread contains soluble fibre from oats to help lower cholesterol absorption and Bürgen® Rye bread contains 3 types of fibre to assist with digestive balance by providing 30 per cent of your daily fibre needs - two key focus areas for overall health and wellbeing."
Bürgen® is available in supermarkets nationwide at a recommended retail price (RRP) of $4.56 per loaf. Variants include:
- Bürgen® Wholemeal and Seeds
- Bürgen® Soy-Lin
- Bürgen® Rye
- Bürgen® Oatbran and Honey
- Bürgen® Pumpkin Seeds
- Bürgen® Fruit and Muesli
- Bürgen® Mixed Grain
About the Research
Research conducted at the University of Sydney by Prof. Jennie Brand-Miller, Human Nutrition Unit University of Sydney on behalf of George Weston Foods from January-March 2008.
Subjects (20) were aged from 18-45 years, BMI 18-25, non smokers with normal glucose tolerance. Subjects were required to complete a restrictive eater questionnaire to ensure only subjects with normal eating habits participated in the study.
The study was a laboratory-based research study with two test sessions per subject, with foods consumed in a random order.
1 Research conducted by Prof. Jennie Brand-Miller - Human Nutrition Unit, University of Sydney on behalf of George Weston Foods from January-March 2008.
2 Twenty healthy subjects (male and female) aged 18-45, BMI 18-25, non-smokers with normal glucose tolerance participated in two separate test sessions, each consuming either two slices of Burgen Wholemeal & Seeds Bread (83g) or two slices of test white bread (74g) with margarine and jam and a glass of water on each separate occasion, with a washout period of at least three days in between testing.
3 Phytochemicals are substances in food that have health benefits in addition to vitamins, minerals and other nutrients (Dietitians Association of Australia - http://www.daa.asn.au/index.asp?PageID=2145834453)
4 When combined with a healthy diet and lifestyle