THE HISTORY OF BICKFORD & SONS

The Bickford & Sons story is one that is rich in history – a compelling Australian success story that dates back over 140 years to Victorian-era 1874 and the company’s roots as an apothecary.

WILLIAM BICKFORD’S BACKGROUND AS A CHEMIST CREATED A FOCUS FOR PRODUCING PRODUCTS WITH INHERENT HEALTH BENEFITS WHEN HE ARRIVED IN ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND BECAME ONE OF ADELAIDE’S FIRST CHEMISTS. IN 1872, THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN CORDIAL FACTORY WAS BUILT WHICH PRODUCED A RANGE OF BEVERAGES BASED ON WILLIAM BICKFORD’S APOTHECARY RECIPES.

In 1874, operations expanded to include aerated beverage production with the latest machinery shipped from England. This was when Ann Margaret Bickford (William’s wife) stepped in as a successful businesswoman in her own right and was the driving force behind the company’s entry into carbonation and cordials. Ann Margaret maintained a bold vision for the brand to continue as a family business for the sons.

Through the implementation of the new machinery, Soda Water and Ginger Ale were born and lay the foundation for the range today – with recipes continuing to be crafted by hand just as they were in the apothecary all those years ago.

From an apothecary on Hindley Street all those years ago to manufacturing on Waymouth Street and Currie Street – Bickford & Sons is still proudly South Australian and independently owned – now being manufactured in Salisbury South.

Maintaining being renowned for purity and quality products, the Bickford & Sons trademark saw a re-brand and re-fresh in 2021, switching from a glass 275mL bottle with a range including: Indian Tonic, Dry Tonic, Bitter Lemon, Soda Water and Ginger Ale, to our current can 250mL range including; Dry Tonic, Sugar Free Dry Tonic, Sugar Free Citrus Tonic, Soda Water and Ginger Ale.

Proudly leveraging our history – the Bickford & Sons logo typeface seen on our cans today is actually re-drawn from an original hand drawn logo on a price list from 1924. See below.