MasterFoods is a brand of condiments manufactured by Mars Inc.[1][2][3][4][5] Originally produced by Australian Henry Lewis & Company since 1945, the brand name "Masterfoods" was acquired by Mars in 1967.[6]
MasterFoods was created by Henry Lewis in Australia in 1945. Originally launched as "Henry Lewis & Company" in 1926,[7]
Henry Lewis passed the business onto his sons John (born 1920), Victor (born 1923) and David (born 1929) all of whom worked in the business.[7] John as chairman and managing director, Victor as production director and David as research director.[10] Victor studied food technology in the United States of America, returning in 1949, becoming one of Australia's first food technologists.[7] The company began manufacturing foods in the 1950s, with the first product being bread and butter cucumbers. During WWII when importation was restricted the company acted as a distributor for Australian and New Zealand brands.[7]
The brand was sold to Mars Inc. in 1967, and Mars Food Australia was created as a part of the purchase.[1] At the time of sale, Masterfoods had over 150 products and were distributing to 40 countries, 25 percent of turnover was imported goods.[9]
