Cuming, Smith & Co.

Cuming, Smith & Co.
IndustryChemicals; fertilisers
Founded1872
FounderJames Cuming; George Smith; Charles Campbell
SuccessorsCuming Smith Mount Lyell (CSML); Cuming Smith British Petroleum (CSBP); Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy & Fertilisers (WesCEF)
HeadquartersYarraville, Melbourne, Colony of Victoria
Area served
Australia; New Zealand
ProductsSulphuric acid; superphosphate; other industrial chemicals

Cuming, Smith & Co. was an Australian chemical and fertiliser manufacturer established in 1872 in Yarraville, Melbourne. The firm began as a sulphuric acid producer and later became a significant manufacturer of superphosphate used in Australian agriculture. Its operations and interests extended across Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and other jurisdictions, with associated activities in New South Wales, Queensland and New Zealand.

Through mergers and joint ventures, the business formed part of Cuming Smith Mount Lyell (CSML) in Western Australia in 1927 and later became CSBP after British Petroleum acquired an equity stake in 1964. In 1979, Wesfarmers launched a takeover bid for CSBP valued at approximately A$60 million, at the time the largest corporate acquisition in Australia. By 1986, Wesfarmers had purchased BP's remaining stake and assumed full ownership. The successor operations now form part of Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy & Fertilisers (WesCEF).