Campbell Soup Company, which has been in business for 155 years, wants to remove the word "soup" from its corporate name.

Company executives say that Campbell's is now "much more than soup ," a business that represents a smaller portion of its current sales. Therefore, from now on, it wants to be known as The Campbell's Company.

Shareholders will have the final say on whether the name change will be official, with the decision being made at the company's annual meeting next November.

“This subtle but important change preserves the iconic name recognition, reputation, and company value built over 155 years, while better reflecting the breadth of our portfolio,” says Campbell CEO Mark Clouse.

Campbell's soup

The history of Campbell's soup dates back to 1869, when Joseph Campbell founded the company in Camden, New Jersey, in the United States. Since its inception, the company has dedicated itself to the production of canned goods, introducing its iconic tomato soup to the market in 1895, along with four other varieties. It was the first company to sell canned soup, more than a century ago, and this soup has remained one of the 10 best-selling canned products in the United States to this day.

A significant milestone in Campbell's history occurred in 1897 when John T. Dorrance, a European-trained chemist, was hired. He invented condensed soup, an innovation that would become a key product in the brand's development and success. This advancement allowed Campbell's to reduce transportation and storage costs, which significantly contributed to the company's growth. Years later, John T. Dorrance would become president of the company, further cementing his influence in Campbell's management.

In the 1960s, artist Andy Warhol immortalized Campbell's soup cans in his famous silkscreen prints, turning the brand into a pop art icon. This fact made it a symbol of American culture.