The history of Cadbury as manufacturers of chocolate products in Birmingham dates back to the early part of the 19th century, when John Cadbury opened a shop in the centre of the city, trading as a coffee and tea dealer.
The Cadbury story is fascinating study of industrial and social development, covering well over a century and half. It shows how a small family business developed into an international company combining the most sophisticated technology with the highest standards of quality, technical skills and innovation. The one-man business, opened in 1824, by a young member of a family of Quakers (non-conformists), is now one of the world's largest chocolate producers.
In 19th century, the Cadbury families were members of one of the non-conformist groups formed in the 17th century in protest against the formalism of the Established Church. Quakers held strong beliefs and ideas that were carried into campaigns for justice, equality and social reform, putting an end to poverty. and deprivations. As non-conformists, Quakers weren't allowed to enter the Universities, which in the 19th century were closely linked with the Established Church.
Entry into professions was also impossible, and pacifist principles precluded the military as a career. their energies and talents were therefore directed towards business, social reforms and transformation of social and industrial society in Victorian Britain. Many Quaker families have made their mark on the British business scene in addiction to the Cadburys, the Frys of Bristol, Row trees and Teerrys of York developed the confectionery business; Sampson Lloyd of Birmingham founded Lloyd's bank; the Hanburys brought tinplate to Wales; and the Darbys of Coal Brooke were the founders of the Bitish iron industry.
John Cadbury was born in 1802 in Birmingham to a wealthy family, He was not allowed to enter university (because he was a Quaker) so instead he became an apprentice at a tea dealer in Leeds. In 1824 he returned to Birmingham and opened a small, one-man grocery shop. In 1826, he married Priscilla Ann Dymond, but sadly she died two years later. In 1832 John married again, this time to Candia Barrow. They had seven children - John, Richard, Maris, George, Joseph, Edward and Henry. In 1847 the business moved to larger premises which had its own private canal spur linking the factory via the Birmingham Navigation Canal to the major ports of Britain.
Work continued there for 32years. In 1847, John's brother, benjamin joined the business. They faced tough competition from J.S. Fry's in Bristol who produced the first chocolate bar and Henry Rowtree in York. This lead to the Cadbury to buy Special press in Holland which cut proportion of fat in their chocolate from half to quarter. They then claimed that their produce was absolutely pure and therefore was the best. However, two years later in 1849, the brothers pulled out of the retail business leaving it to their Nephew Richard Cadbury Barrow. In 1861 John and Benjamin dissolved their partnership and John retired completely leaving the business to his sons Richard and George.
The Cadbury brothers opened a new office in London and continued to expand the product line, and by 1864, they were making a profit. Cadbury's Cocoa Essence, which was advertised as absolutely pure and therefore the best, was an all-naturally product made with pure cocoa butter and no starchy ingredients. Cocoa Essence was the beginning of chocolate as we know it today.
the brothers once again moved their manufacturing operations to a larger facility four miles south of Birmingham. The factory and area became known as Bourneville, the factory was named after a small stream that ran through the site. Bournrville was an attractive area and it became known as a factory in a garden. At first, Cadbury built 24 houses for their key workers at Bournville. Later they built another 300 houses to form Bourneville Village. These were superior to working class home of that time, with larger rooms and generous sized gardens. Another innovation was to group the houses around cul-de-sacs or gardens.
A school, hospital, reading rooms and wash houses was also built fo the people in the village. Cadbury brothers already had a reputation as a good employer, having introduced Saturday half days and Bank Holiday closing. At Bourneville Cadbury introduced a wide variety of sporting and recreational facilities . There was a kitchen for heating up food and later a works canteen was added. the company also provided medical and dental treatment. With Cadbury's continued success in chocolate, George and Richard stopped selling tea in 1873.
Master confectioner Frederic Kinchelman was appointed to share his recipe and production secrets with Cadbury workers. This resulted in Cadbury producing chocolates covered nougats, bonbons delices, pistache, ccaramels, avelines and more. Cadbury manufactured its firts milk chocolate in 1897.
Two years later the Bournevile factory employed 2,600 people and Cadbury was incorporated as a limited company. During World War I, more than 2,000 of Cadbury's male employees joined the Armed Forces. Cadbury supported the war effort, sending warm clothing, books and chocolates to the soldiers. Ccadbury also supplemented government allowances to the dependents of their workers. When the workers returned, they were able to return to work, take educational courses, and injured or ill employees were taken care off in convalescent homes. In similar vein, Cadbury supported the world War II effort by converting parts of the factory into workrooms to manufacture equipments like milling machines, for riffle factories and parts like pilot seats for defiant fighter planes.
During these period, trade overseas increased, and Cadbury opened its first oversea factory near Hobart, Tasmania. The next year cadbury merged with J.S. Fry & Sons, a past market leader in chocolate was considered essential for the Armed Forces and civilians. Rationing Finally ended in 1949. In 1969Cadburymerged with Schweppes, Schweppes was a well known British brand that manufactured carbonated mineral water and soft drinks. The merged companies would go on to acquire Sunkist, Canada Dry, Typhoon Tea and more. Schweppes Beverages was created, and the manufacture of Cadbury confectionery brands was Licensed to Hershey Despite the demand of running a large company, George Cadbury was committed to spending time helping those less privileged.
Cadbury often said:
We can do nothing of any value to God, except in acts of genuinehelpfulness done to our fellow men
Every Sunday morning, Ccadbury taught classes at the Birmingham Adult School. Although organized by Quakers, the school was non-sectarian and encourage students take part in the activity of their own churches. Cadbury was a strong supporter of William Gladstone a prime Minister of Great Britain on four separate occasions between 1868 and 1894 and represented Liberal Party on both Birmingham Town Council. In 1901he purchased the Daily News and used it to campaign for old age pensions and against exploitation of Labor.
As a pacifist, cadbury was also a strong opponent of the Boer War. In the grounds of his home, Northfield Manor, cadbury arranged for construction of a building that could seat 700 people. Every year during the summer months, Cadbury provided food and entertainment for about 25,00 children from the deprived areas of Birmingham.
In 1906 George Cadbury paid £60,000 into a pension fund for his employees. Cadbury continued to work at the Birmingham Adult school every Sunday morning. it was estimated that in Fifty years he had taught over 4,000 students. Twice a year he organised reunions at Northfield Manor thaht was attended by about 1,000 people.
Cadbury opposed Britain's involvement in First World war and disillusioned with the way the Liberal Government behaved in 1914 switched his financial support to the anti-war Independent Labour Party. Cadbury joined with E.D. Morel, Ramsay MacDonald, Arthur Ponsonby, Arthur Rowntree and other critics to form the Union of Democratic Control (UDC). Over the next couple of years the UDC became the leading anti-war organization in Britain. George Cadbury died at Northfield manor on 24th October, 1922. John Cadbury died on May 11th 1889.`
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