• 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

 

1986

Samworth Brothers purchased an old established business in Leicester - Walker & Son Limited based in Cobden Street. The Walker success had been built on exceptional quality pork pies, sausages and other pork products. They had gained the reputation of being the finest in the Midlands. In addition to sausages, Walkers sold pork pies, which they purchased from Melton Mowbray. Walkers also sold potato crisps, as during the war there was a surplus of fat from meat products. The thriving crisp business had been sold in 1971 however to Standard Brands an American firm. If you haven't already guessed this was the start of the famous Walkers Crisps brand.