• 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

 

1896

He started his own pig-dealing business in 1896, and following the introduction of refrigeration, enjoyed huge success as meat became part of the nation's daily diet.