History
The history of Smith's Chips dates back to when Smith's Potato Chips Ltd was first formed by Frank Smith in the UK after World War 1. The history of Smith's Chips in Australia began, however, in 1931 when the first chips were produced by Frank Smith and George Ensor in leased premises in Sydney's Surry Hills. These chips were originally made in 20 gas fired cooking pots, packed by hand and distributed by Nestle Confectionery vans. In 1932, Smith's Potato Chips (Australia) was formed and sold its early chips in three penny packets, 24 in a tin. The legendary "twist of salt" sachet was contained in these packs before pre-salting was introduced in later years. In 1945, a continuous cooker process was introduced to replace the individual cooking pots. In 1960 the production of a one shilling pack for movie theatres and a box pack for four shillings was initiated.
In 1961 Smith's introduced its first flavoured chip - Chicken. This flavour is still one of the more popular flavours in the crinkle cut range. In 2002, Smith's celebrated 70 years since Smith's Potato Chips (Australia) was formed. Recently Smith's introduced a thin cut potato chip, called "Smith's Selections Thinly Cut" under its iconic brand name. The Smith's crinkle cut chip is known as "Smith's Classic Crinkle Cut". Both Smith's products are available in a range of flavours. Smith's is still known as... "The Original and the Best" and the Smith's brand is the number one selling potato chip in Australia.
How they are made
At The Smith's Snackfood Company we take quality very seriously. Our aim is to produce the best quality chips day in day out with the best quality ingredients and offer them to our consumer at the best possible value.
Here, we have created an easy to follow step by step guide to how potatoes are turned into "the Original and the Best" Smith’s Potato Chips.
We have tracked the process with our special crisp clockwatcher and you can see that it takes 20 minutes from spud to pack!
1. Only The Best Will Do!
Only the very best potatoes are selected to make Smith's Potato Chips. Potatoes are delivered to the plant in special trucks. They are then checked again for quality before they are allowed to enter the factory. Any potato which appears damaged will not be used. Smith's uses more than 110,000 tonnes of potatoes each year which is equivalent to 3,000 truckloads of spuds!
2. The Great Crisp Journey Starts
The potatoes pass through a number of processes where they are checked and double checked to ensure they are of the highest quality.
Then they are washed and peeled. A specially trained operator checks the potatoes as they continue their journey through the slicing stage.
3. The Cutting Edge
The 'river' of potatoes then pass through a number of slicers which cut the potatoes to an exact preset thickness.
These potato slices are then washed again to remove the starch, which prevents the new slices sticking together.
4. We're Frying High
The slices are carried along the conveyor belt to the fryer where the actual process of turning the potatoes into chips starts. Routine inspections are carried out along the production line to check or remove any defects.
Smith's great flavours are then applied by the tumbling action of a drum. The newly flavoured chips then pass on to the packaging stage.
5. Seal of Approval
A team of specially trained laboratory technicians take regular samples of the product. They carry out a number of tests to ensure the product meets Smith's stringent quality standards.
Advertising
In the late 1980's and early 1990's, advertising for Smith's featured the famous "Gobbledok".