George Weston Limited

George Weston Limited often referred to as Weston or Weston's, is Canada's largest food processing and distribution company. Founded by George Weston in 1882, the company today consists of Weston Foods, a wholly owned subsidiary, and Loblaw Companies Limited, the country's largest supermarket retailer, in which it maintains controlling interest. Retail brands include President's Choice, No Name, and Joe Fresh, in addition to bakery brands Wonder, Country Harvest, D'Italiano, WeightWatchers, Ready Bake, Moulin Rouge and Gadoua. The company is controlled by the Weston family, which owns a majority share in George Weston Limited.

History

Bread route

In 1882, Toronto bread salesman George Weston, who got his start at the age of 12 as a baker’s apprentice, went into business for himself when he bought a bread route from his employer, G.H. Bowen. Two years later, Weston bought out Bowen’s Sullivan St. bakery and began baking and delivering his own bread. His first employee was Charles Upshall, another young baker, and the two worked long hours baking and delivering bread. Weston’s business prospered, particularly with the development of his "Real Home Made Bread," made from a combination of Manitoba No. 1 Hard Wheat and Ontario Fall wheat. His bakery underwent at least four expansions. At a time when many bakers were reluctant to adopt new technology, believing it adversely affected the taste and quality of their bread, Weston began introducing modern equipment to automate the baking process. "He has not spared expense getting in the latest designs of machinery to mix his dough," proclaimed one newspaper ad. Eventually, he renamed his bakery on Sullivan Street the "G. Weston’s Bread Factory."