In 1869 the Sydney Meat Preserving Company was established to process excess meat and was the major company in Sydney selling a range of canned meat merchandise. Formed by pastoralists, its factory was located in Auburn and stockyards, slaughtering, butchering, preserving and boiling down were all performed on site. The company was taken over by F J Walker Limited in 1919, who also owned Hunter River Meat Packing Co, Metropolitan Meat Co, and Australian Natural Gut Manufacturing Co. Business boomed during both World Wars but canned meats ceased to be productive after the Second World War. The business ceased operations on 31 July 1964 and the works at Auburn were put up for sale. In 1972 it was formerly resolved to dissolve the company and the final meeting of shareholders was held in September 1973.