Our History

We're proud of the long history our brands have, with heritage and innovation dating back almost 200 years. It’s our passion for consumer insight driven innovation that enables us to deliver great-tasting, convenient, more sustainable, and healthier products every day.

How did Premier Foods become one of the UK’s largest food producers, and home to so many iconic leading brands?

2025

We unveiled a £36 million investment phased through to 2029 in our Worksop site to upgrade and expand the existing cooking sauces manufacturing facility. At the same time, extending our licensing agreement with Sir Loyd Grossman, underscoring the continued confidence in the strength of the brand.

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Mr Kipling invests £2.1 million in solar farm at Carlton Bakery with new installation to power cake production and cut carbon at much-loved local site.

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We unveiled a £19 million investment in our Lifton site in Devon, home of Ambrosia for more than a century, to increase production capacity in response to growth in consumer demand, improve efficiency and support local jobs.

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We acquired Merchant Gourmet, a premium, healthy, convenient meals brand.

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2024

OXO was on TV with a new ad featuring Chef Maya under the tagline “Made with OXO, made with love”.

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We reached agreement with the RHM Pension Scheme Trustee to suspend pension deficit contribution payments, increasing cash flow to invest back into our business.

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New product launches included Bisto for Sausages gravy granules, a Chinese meal kit range from The Spice Tailor and the first big box cereals from FUEL10K.

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2023

We acquired FUEL10K, a protein-enriched breakfast brand with a strong appeal to younger shoppers.

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Sales for the existing brand portfolio topped £1bn for the 2022/23 financial year.

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Our 2030 decarbonisation targets were approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) following a rigorous validation process.

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2022

We purchased premium meal kit business The Spice Tailor, our first acquisition for 15 years.

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We launched a multi-faceted five year partnership with FareShare to reduce food waste and support those in food poverty.

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We delivered the UK’s first full range of non-HFSS (not High in Fat, Salt or Sugar) cakes and pies under our Mr Kipling brand.

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Ambrosia made its debut in the breakfast category with the first ready-to-eat porridge pots to go on the market.

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2021

We introduced our sustainability strategy – our Enriching Life Plan – with detailed targets under three pillars of Product, Planet and People.

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Sharwood’s returns to TV screens with a new ad celebrating “Adventures in flavour since 1889”.

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2020

A segregated merger of the firm’s pension schemes was agreed which significantly improved the pension funding situation.

Manufacturing and logistics operations remained fully functional during COVID shutdowns as key worker colleagues play their part in keeping the nation fed.

Premier Foods sold its stake in the Hovis joint venture, ending its connection with the firm.

2019

Taking Mr Kipling products out of black plastic packaging removed 400 tonnes of plastic waste from the UK market each year.

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2017

The centenary of our Ambrosia creamery in Devon was celebrated with a visit from the future King and Queen – Charles and Camilla.

King Charles and Queen Camilla cutting Ambrosia cake

2016

We entered a strategic partnership with Nissin Food Holdings Co Ltd, and brought the Cup Noodles and Soba brands more widely to the UK market as part of distribution deal with them.

2013

We sold the Branston’s pickle brand.

2012

Premier Foods sold a range of jam, spread and condiment brands including Hartley's, Robertson's, Frank Cooper, Gale's, Sun-Pat and Sarson's Vinegar.

2007

Mr Kipling, Sharwood’s, Bisto, Paxo and McDougall’s Flour joined the Premier Foods family.

2006

We acquired Batchelors, OXO and the Homepride cooking sauces brands.

2004

We floated on the London Stock Exchange for the first time.

2003

We acquired the Ambrosia brand from Unilever.

1995

Loyd Grossman cooking sauces were launched for the first time.

1983

Lynda Bellingham made her first appearance as the OXO mum on TV, a role she fulfilled for over 15 years.

1975

Hillsdown Holdings is founded by Harry Solomon and David Thompson. It will go on to become Premier Foods.

Our Carlton bakery was opened, the largest purpose-built bakery in the world at the time.

1974

Homepride cooking sauces appeared on shelves for the first time.

1972

Batchelors Cup A Soup went on sale for the first time.

1967

The Mr Kipling brand appeared for the first time. It took the position as the UK’s number 1 cake brand in the late 1970s, where it has remained ever since.