Bardney Canning Factory (Bardney) | building, place with historical importance, production

 building, place with historical importance, production

Bardney Canning Factory (John Morrell & Co. Ltd. )

History from 1931 until 1994

1909 The building was originally a pea and potato store for Mr John Sharpe and Son (Lord of Bardney Manor), a seed grower and merchant. After Mr Sharpe, the buildings were used for multiple businesses, which included Clift's bakery and Turner's Fish & Chip shop. Part of the site became the 'People's Hall', and was used as a 'community room' for skating and film shows.

1931 The Canning Factory was built and operated by Messrs. A W Foster and Company Ltd. with pea canning as the sole commodity, using modern canning machinery.

1932 John Morrell & Co. Ltd purchased the cannery in March.

1933 Production commenced in June. During these early years, bags of peas were delivered to local families around the village. They would sit around a table in the evening and sort out the peas, sending only the good ones back for processing.This gave many people some income.

1936 A W Foster released a small twenty-page booklet with a list of their products, under the ‘Daisy’ brand, which included: Gooseberries, Strawberries, Raspberries, Plums, Fresh Peas, Beetroot, Celery, Beans, Carrots and New Potatoes. The manager was Mr Wall, (ex army officer) who lived in the old vicarage on Station Road.

1936 Canned Pet food was introduced. In the early post-war period 'Red Heart' canned dog food was being produced.

1939 Approximately 20 million cans of peas, fruit and vegetables were produced. The cans are supplied, by rail, from the Metal Box Co. Ltd.

1939-1945 Millions of canned products were supplied, under contract to the Admiralty, War Office and Red Cross.

1946 The business maintained Foster’s name until 1946, when it was merged to John Morrell & Co. Ltd, on 31st December.

1960 The railway sidings were taken out of active service on 1st February. Through the early 1970’s the company's sales of canned dog food increased considerably in volume terms, attributable, in the main, to the success of its new product called 'Butch', which competed at the low price end of the pet food market.

1973 John Morrell took over the Springs Jam Factory, at Brigg.

1977 The business became an employee trust company, which effectively gave the UK subsiduary to the workers in that business, separating it from the American parent company. It was named the A Claude Morrell Employee's Trust.

1983 The site was expanded. The Claude Morrell Building was officially opened on 5th October.

1986 The business was taken over by Hillsdown Holdings. After the acquisition, the factory production changed to pet food only.

1990 It was integrated with Sterling Wygate (Dry Dog Food).

1991 The business was taken over by BP Nutrition (UK) Ltd.

1993 Spillers Dalgety acquired Paragon Petcare, with manufacturing plants in France, Germany and the Netherlands, from BP Nutrition Ltd.

1994 The plant closed down on 30th April.

Quoted from: community.lincolnshire.gov.uk/bardneyvillagehistory/sec...