The West Australian Meat Export Company Ltd. was formed in 1919 by private interests with the purpose of building and operating a killing and freezing works at Robbs Jetty, South Fremantle. The works commenced operations in 1921.
During World War II a lack of private capital for investment in cold storage persuaded company management to seek a buyout of shareholders by the State Government.The ensuing agreement was ratified by the West Australian Meat Works Act 1942, which took effect from 1 July that year. For the next 34 years the works were managed as a State Trading Company.

This agency was abolished by the Acts Amendment (WA Meat Commission Act) 1975, which took effect from 1 July 1976. The works at Robb Jetty were thereafter controlled by the Western Australian Meat Commission.