• 1868 - The start of it all. George Samworth is born.

• 1896 - ...and he starts his own business.

• 1930 - George Samworth retires.

• 1939 - The war ends the Samworth pig business.

• 1950 - Frank Samworth Buys TN Parrs.

• 1969 - Pork Farms is purchased.

• 1969 - Frank Samworth Sr. retires.

• 1971 - The Group is floated under the name Pork Farms plc.

• 1974 - Group enters ill-fated joint venture with Northern Foods.

• 1977 - Ginsters is purchased.

• 1978 - Pork Farms is sold to Northern Foods.

• 1985 - The company changes its name to Samworth Brothers.

• 1986 - Walker & Son of Leicester acquired.

• 1992 - Dickinson & Morris is acquired.

• 1992 - Westward Laboratories established.

• 1993 - Bradgate Bakery is opened.

• 1994 - Ginsters launch a range of sandwiches, creating the first national sandwich brand.

• 1996 - Walkers Midshires Foods established.

• 1997 - New distribution warehouse in Leicestershire opened.

• 1998 - Melton Foods is opened.

• 1998 - Kettleby Foods is opened

• 1999 - Samworth Brothers Distribution is created as a separate business.

• 2002 - John Samworth retires

• 2003 - Samworth Brothers Awarded JP Morgan's Family Business Honour

• 2003 - Saladworks opens.

• 2003 - Samworth Brothers wins Leicestershire's "Business of the Decade"

• 2005 - Ginsters Wins Management Today's UK Food Company of the Year.

• 2005 - David Samworth retires

• 2006 - The Sandwich Centre is opened.

• 2008 - Blueberry Foods opens

 

1974

1974 saw another exciting development for the group, entering a joint venture with Northern Foods, as they struggled to supply the French dairy product supplier Danone. This company was called Porkdown Ltd and chaired by John Samworth. No sooner had production begun, than Danone decided they were no longer going to sell meat products as they wanted to concentrate on milk based goods. This wouldn't be the last time these two businesses enter discussions though.