The Palmerston North factory was the third Sanitarium factory opened in New Zealand, in 1952. The Sanitarium Health Food Company are known for their production of 'health' foods, and the Longburn factory produced breakfast cereals among other products, and also packaging for the all the Sanitarium factories of New Zealand. In 1996 the factory closed when the company decided to centralise its operations. The gardens were a feature of the Longburn factory and they won a commendation in the Evening Standard garden competition in 1980.