THE HISTORY OF ROWNTREE
Rowntree has a long and venerable history. Here we give you the edited highlights!
1725 – A Quaker, Mary Tuke opens shop in Walmgate.
1775 – Wm. Tuke and Sons take over shop.
1785 – They start selling cocoa.
1862 – Henry Isaac Rowntree acquires cocoa side of business.
1864 – Tanner’s Moat, York, receive ingredients via Hull Docks.
1869 – Henry Isaac’s brother, Joseph, becomes a partner in the business. They
manufacture a range of cocoas.
1881 – Rowntrees Fruit Pastilles are introduced.
1893 – Rowntrees Fruit Gums are introduced.
1883 – Joseph Rowntree is left in sole control following Henry Isaac’s death.
1887 – Rowntree’s famous Elect Cocoa is introduced.
1889 – Joseph’s son, Benjamin Seebohm Rowntree, joins the business.
1890 – The “Cocoa Works”, at Haxby Road, are built.
1897 – Rowntree & Co becomes Limited, with Joseph Rowntree as Chairman.
1901 – Rowntree’s Table Jellies are introduced.
1902 – The Cocoa Works Magazine, ‘CWM’, is launched.
1904 – The company appoints a doctor and a dentist.
1906 – A pension scheme is introduced. The site moves to Haxby Road.
1909 – Yearsley swimming baths are presented by the company to the city of York.
1910 – Walnut Whip are introduced.
1913 – School rooms and a gymnasium are opened, and dining facilities for
3,000 employees are completed.
1916 – One of the first Widows Benefit Funds in the UK is established.
1918 – An annual week’s holiday with full pay is introduced.
1919 – A Central Works Council is formed for employees.
1921 – Rowntree Park is presented by the Company. Unemployment scheme introduced.
1923 – Seebohm Rowntree succeeds his father, Joseph, as chairman.
1925 – Joseph Rowntree dies.
1928 – The Joseph Rowntree Memorial
1933 – Black Magic chocolates are introduced.
1935 – Chocolate Crisp (Kit Kat) is introduced. The Joseph Rowntree Theatre opens.
1935 – Aero is introduced.
1936 – Dairybox is introduced.
1936 – Blue Riband is introduced.
1936 – Quality Street are introduced.
1937 – Chocolate Crisp changes it’s name to Kit Kat.
1937 – Rolos are introduced.
1937 – Smarties are introduced.
1941 – George Harris succeeds Seebohm.
1948 – Polo Mints are introduced.
1953 – Polo Fruits are introduced.
1954 – Seebohm Rowntree dies.
1957 – Munchies are introduced.
1958 – Fawdon factory, Newcastle, opens.
1959 – Caramac is introduced.
1962 – After Eight is introduced.
1963 – Toffee Crisp introduced.
1963 – Tooty Frooties introduced.
1965 – Jellytots introduced.
1967 – Golden Cup is introduced.
1968 – Matchmakers is introduced.
1969 – Rowntree & Co Ltd and John Mackintosh & Sons Ltd become Rowntree Mackintosh
Ltd.
1970 – Castleford factory is opened.
1970 – Breakaway is introduced.
1972 – Wins Queen’s Award for Export.
1976 – Yorkie is introduced.
1976 – Lion Bar introduced.
1978 – Wins Queen's Award for Export.
1980 – Drifter is introduced.
1982 – Aero Countline is introduced.
1985 – Automated Warehouse is opened in York.
1986 – A £16 million Kit Kat 4 factory plant is opened in York.
1987 – The company name is changed to Rowntree plc.
1988 – Nestlé SA buys Rowntree plc.
1989 – Rowntree Mackintosh receives its fourth Queen's Award for Export Achievement.
Nestlé shares are quoted on the London Stock Exchange.
1991 – The Lord Mayor of York opens the £14million COcoa Processing Plant. Helmut
Maucher, Nestlé SA Chairman and Managing Director, opens the £6 million Yorkreco
Pilot Plant. Vice Versas are introduced.
1992 – Ramon Masip, Executive Vice President of Nestlé SA, opens the £15.5 million Polo
Mint plant in York.
1993 – York's Lord Mayor Councillor Ann Reid opens the £18 million chocolate making plant
in York. The new plant can produce four tonnes of milk chocolate an hour.
1994 – Nestlé UK Ltd. wins the Queen's Award for Export Achievement for the first time.
Confectionery plays a major role, with 28 per cent of Nestlé UK's confectionery.
1997 – Maverick is launched.
1999 – Kit Kat Chunky launched.
2000 – Rolo biscuit launched
2002 – Double Cream chocolate bar launched.
2003 – Kit Kat Kubes launched.
2004 – Fruity Smarties, Kit Kat Editions and Baci introduced
2005 – Aero Bubbles, Wonka Bars and Texan (limited addition) introduced
2006 – Kit Kat Peanut Butter, Kit Kat Dark, After Eight Mint Munchies and After Eight Milk
launched.
2007 – Aero Bubbles Milk, Heaven and Quality Street Nutty Chocolate carton introduced
2008 – Kit Kat Senses launched.
