THE HISTORY OF NESTLÉ ROWNTREE
Nestlé Rowntree has a long and venerable history. Here we give you the edited highlights!
- A Kit Kat
- 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.
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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.
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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.
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