Heritage
Click on the timeline below to see how it all began
1941
On June 17th, a raging fire started in one of the grain stores at Wellingborough. Fire crews from all over the county attended the emergency, but it took Northampton Fire Brigade's huge turntable ladder to eventually control the blaze.
The mill itself was not badly damaged, and thankfully, normal business was able to resume within five days.
1945
J B Whitworth died.
1947
Victoria Mill was evacuated due to flooding. Employees had to be pulled across the Nene in rowing boats, to the safety of the bank on the other side.
1949
With the threat of nationalising flour mills, a new subsidiary was formed to take on the trade, as well as the name, Whitworth Bros. Ltd.
In the end, nationalisation did not occur and the business continued to prosper.
1950 - 1953
Expansion continued, with property being leased in Irthlingborough.
For the first time, the company's dried peas were sorted on conveyor belts and packed at The Old Tower factory, Victoria Street.
The business strategically acquired bakeries, guaranteeing outlets for its own flour.
1954
In an innovative move, aimed to eliminate the problem of grit and dust on dried fruits, Whitworths converted some of its flour milling equipment to spin wash and dry its products.
Disproving the pessimistic views of experts in the US and Europe, as well as major retailers who were convinced that washed fruit would go mouldy, Whitworths successfully revolutionised the process.
Soft, moist sugars that had previously been sold from large sticky sacks (and, even then, only at Christmas!), cherries, peel - all began to receive the 'Whitworths treatment'.
A whole new market sector – speciality sugars and fruits - had emerged!
1956
Enjoying continued success; the company employed a fleet of 60 lorries to distribute its products all over the UK.