Golden Circle (Food Company)

Golden Circle

Type	Unlisted public company
Industry	Food and beverage
Founded	1946
Headquarters	Northgate, Queensland, Australia
Area served	Multinational
Products	Over 500
Number of employees	1800+
Parent	Kraft Heinz
Subsidiaries	Original Juice Co.
Website	www.goldencircle.com.au

Golden Circle is a subsidiary of US-based Kraft Heinz, based in Brisbane, Queensland. Its main operations are food processing. Golden Circle was inducted into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame in 2010, for its significant contribution to the economy of Queensland through the processing of food products notably fruit and vegetables.

Golden Circle began operations in 1947 after construction of the main canning factory at Northgate was completed. The new facility was opened on 28 October 1947 by the then Premier of Queensland, the Hon Edward Hanlon in the presence of 1500 people including 500 Sunshine Coast fruit growers who arrived on a special train. The company was originally called 'Queensland Tropical Fruit Products', with 'Golden Circle' used as their brand name. Golden Circle was initially part of the Committee of Direction of Fruit Marketing in Queensland (COD). In 1964, under the leadership of Bernard Flewell-Smith and Percival Savage, the cannery was established as a separate business. It was split off from the COD by an amendment to the Fruit Marketing Organisation Acts.

Initially, the company processed and canned pineapples and produced fruit jams. Over the years, production has expanded to include other canned fruit and vegetables, fruit cordials, juices, carbonated beverages and baby food.

As of 2009, Golden Circle (GC) ceased to be an Australian Owned Company. The board and shareholders of GC agreed and sold all of their shares for 313% more than they were trading at prior to the offer from US Corporation, Heinz.

Golden Circle was one of few remaining Australian Food Companies being sold by Australian farmers to International Companies.