A lot has changed over our 146 year history, but the values that have helped us connect with consumers for generations still inspire us today.
1869
Joseph Campbell, a fruit merchant, and Abraham Anderson, an icebox manufacturer, form the business that would one day become Campbell Soup Company. They open their first plant in Camden, New Jersey.
1876
Anderson leaves the partnership. Arthur Dorrance will join Campbell to form a new company in 1882.
1894
Arthur Dorrance succeeds Joseph Campbell as President. Campbell retires, ending the association of the Campbell family with the company.
1895
First can of Campbell’s ready-to-eat tomato soup introduced.
1897
Dr. John T. Dorrance, a chemist at the company and nephew of then-president Arthur Dorrance, invents the formula for condensed soup. He creates five varieties, including Tomato, which remains one of the top 10 shelf-stable food items sold in U.S. grocery stores today.
1898
A company executive attends the annual Cornell-Penn football game and is so taken with Cornell’s brilliant new red-and-white uniforms that he convinces Campbell to use the colors on soup labels.
1900
The medallion that adorns the can was added after Campbell’s soups win a medal for product excellence at the Paris Exposition.
1904
The Campbell Kids are "born" when a Philadelphia artist sketches them for a series of streetcar advertisements. Over the years, the Campbell Kids would be portrayed playing many roles, including army doctors during World War One and athletes training for the 2010 Winter Games.
1911
Campbell’s soups achieve national distribution.
1914
Dr. John T. Dorrance becomes president of the company. Dr. Dorrance would lead the company until his death in 1930.
1915
Campbell acquires Franco-American Food Company, Campbell’s first acquisition.
1922
America loves condensed soup so much that Campbell adopts "soup" as its middle name, officially changing the company name to Campbell Soup Company.
1930
Arthur C. Dorrance becomes President of the company.
1931
Campbell begins radio advertising, featuring the familiar "M’m! M’m! Good!" jingle. Campbell’s Tomato Juice launches nationally.
1934
Campbell’s Chicken Noodle and Cream of Mushroom soups are introduced. These two soups also remain among the top 10 shelf-stable food items sold in grocery stores today.
1937
Margaret Rudkin, a Fairfield, Conn., wife and mother, founds Pepperidge Farm to produce and sell the breads she created when she could not find a wholesome loaf of commercial bread.
1941
Campbell Test Kitchens open, developing recipes using condensed soups that become classics. Today, Campbell’s Kitchen continues this tradition. For great recipes and coupons visit us at www.campbellskitchen.com
1946
James McGowan, Jr. becomes President of the company.
1948
Campbell acquires the V8 vegetable juice brand. Today, V8 is the leading vegetable juice in the United States.
1950
First Campbell television commercials air. The company goes on to sponsor such highly-rs as "Lassie" and "Peter Pan".
1953
William Beverley "Bev" Murphy becomes President of the company.
1954
Campbell Soup Company goes public on the New York Stock Exchange.
1955
Pepperidge Farm launches its Distinctive line of European-style cookies with evocative names such as Bordeaux and Brussels. The Milano brand is added the next year. Campbell home economists develop the recipe for the Green Bean Bake, which continues today as one of the company’s most popular and most requested recipes.
1957
Campbell opens a new corporate headquarters in Camden, New Jersey, and establishes an international division. Two years later, the company enters Australia and Mexico.
1961
Campbell acquires Pepperidge Farm. A year later, Pepperidge Farm introduces Goldfish crackers, which today are among the world’s most popular snack crackers.
1962
John T. Dorrance, Jr., the son of Dr. John T. Dorrance, becomes Chairman of the Board. Pop artist Andy Warhol paints his first Campbell’s soup cans.
1965
Campbell creates a food service division to serve restaurants and related establishments. Franco-American introduces SpaghettiOs pasta.
1966
Campbell acquires North American distribution rights to Godiva, a premium Belgian candy. The company acquires the European Godiva candy companies in 1974. Godiva would later be sold to Yildiz Holding in 2008.
1970
Campbell’s Chunky ready-to-serve soups are introduced.
1972
Harold A. Shaub becomes President of the company.
1973
Campbell introduces Labels for Education, a program which allows schools and community groups to redeem labels from Campbell products for computers, sports equipment, musical instruments and more.
1978
Vlasic Foods, Inc., maker of pickles and relishes, is acquired. The Vlasic business would later be part of a spin-off in 1998.
1980
R. Gordon McGovern becomes President and CEO of the company.
1981
Campbell introduces Prego pasta sauces, based on a Campbell chef’s favorite family recipe.
1983
Campbell’s Home Cookin’ soups introduced. These soups would become Campbell’s Homestyle soups in 2013.
1990
In January, the 20 billionth can of Campbell’s Condensed Tomato soup is produced. Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Broccoli soup becomes the company’s most successful new soup introduction in 55 years. David W. Johnson becomes President and CEO of the company.
1991
Campbell’s Healthy Request soups are introduced, originally launched in 1985 as Campbell’s Special Request.
1992
Campbell purchases Arnott’s Limited of Australia, a large biscuit manufacturer.
1994
Campbell celebrates its 125th anniversary. Campbell’s soups remain a favorite with a presence in over 80 percent of U.S. household pantries.
1995
Campbell acquires Pace Foods, a leading producer of Mexican sauces. Campbell acquires a controlling interest in a joint venture with privately-owned Cheong Chan (Hup Kee) Sdn. Bhd. of Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, giving Campbell its first production site in Southeast Asia.
1996
Campbell acquires Erasco Group, Germany’s leading canned soup company. Swanson Chicken broth in resealable cartons is introduced.
1997
Campbell acquires Liebig, the leading wet soup brand in France. In the United States, Campbell introduces V8 Splash, a tropical fruit juice blend made with carrot juice. Dale F. Morrison becomes President and CEO of the company.
1998
Campbell acquires Fortun Foods, makers of StockPot soup, a market leader in premium refrigerated soups. Campbell introduces Campbell’s Soup To Go microwavable soups.
2000
Campbell’s ready-to-serve soups premiere. Easy-open pop-top lids are available on Campbell’s ready-to-serve soups. David W. Johnson becomes Acting President of the company.
2001
Douglas R. Conant becomes President and CEO of the company.
2002
Campbell introduces Campbell’s Soup at Hand, a convenient soup for on the go eating. These soups become Campbell’s Soup on the Go in 2012.
2004
Campbell launches limited-edition cans of Campbell’s® Condensed soup with Andy Warhol-inspired labels. In 2012, the company launches a new limited-edition series of cans of Campbell’s® Condensed Tomato soup with Warhol-inspired labels to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the artist’s work.
2005
V8 V-Fusion 100% fruit and vegetable juices introduced.
2006
Campbell partners with the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement to raise funds and help educate people about the No. 1 killer of women, heart disease.
2007
Campbell’s Swanson broth debuts in the People’s Republic of China.
2009
Pepperidge Farm acquires Ecce Panis, a leading producer of premium-quality artisan breads, and introduces Deli Flats lower-calorie sandwich rolls.
2010
The Campbell Employee Center opens at Campbell World Headquarters in its hometown of Camden, N.J. Campbell’s Condensed soup can label is redesigned for a more contemporary look and to provide more space to feature the images of the soups consumers love. Our three icon flavors, Chicken Noodle, Cream of Mushroom and Tomato, retain the classic red-and-white label design.
2011
Denise Morrison becomes President and CEO of Campbell Soup Company. She is the 12th in the company’s history and the first female CEO. Swanson Flavor Boost concentrated broth debuts. Campbell’s Slow Kettle Style soups debut in modern packaging to provide the "just like homemade" experience and the convenience of a ready-to-serve soup. They are made by combining distinctive ingredients and slowly simmered to develop rich flavors.
2012
Campbell acquires Bolthouse Farms, a market leader in growing and distributing carrots, as well as super-premium juices, smoothies, protein shakes and café beverages. Pepperidge Farm’s Goldfish brand celebrates 50 Years of Smiles. Campbell’s Go soup and Skillet Sauces launch in innovative pouches.
2013
Campbell acquires Plum Organics, a leading provider of premium, organic foods and snacks that serve the nutritional needs of babies, toddlers and children. Campbell acquires Kelsen Group, a producer of quality baked snacks, including the Kjeldsens and Royal Dansk brands, sold in 85 countries around the world. Campbell announces the sale of its European simple meals business.
At Campbell, we make many of your favorite products including cookies, crackers, sauces and drinks, as well as organic baby food and fresh carrots. But soup is how we started. In 1869, Joseph Campbell, a fruit merchant, and Abraham Anderson, an icebox manufacturer, formed the business that would one day become Campbell Soup Company, and opened their first plant in Camden, New Jersey.
It wasn’t until after Joseph Campbell retired from the company that Campbell introduced its first can of ready-to-eat tomato soup. Later, in 1897, Campbell made an amazing leap forward when John T. Dorrance, a chemist at the company and nephew of the then-president with an interest in French cuisine, invented condensed soup. He created five varieties, including Tomato, which remains one of the top 10 shelf-stable foods sold in U.S. grocery stores today.
By 1911 Campbell’s® soups would receive national distribution and acclaim. As Campbell grew, it acquired new brands like Pepperidge Farm and V8, and created new foods like Campbell’s® Sauces, Chunky soups and so much more. Flip through our 146 year history to learn about our heritage and our brands.