Campbell Soup Company: Globalization and Diversification

The Depression had profound effects on Campbell. While the company had exported its soup abroad for decades, many countries put up protectionist barriers to help local manufacturers during the Depression. For instance, Canada protected its manufacturers from American competition by increasing the import rate for duties on canned goods in 1930. Campbell responded by organizing a subsidiary in Canada, the Campbell Soup Company Limited. For similar reasons, Campbell’s Soups Limited was organized in the United Kingdom in 1933 and quickly became one of the United Kingdom’s greatest suppliers of tomato and other soups. These first subsidiaries in other countries were followed, after World War II, by many more. In addition, the Campbell Soup Company has acquired companies in other countries, such as Liebig in France and Erasco in Germany.