CONTENTS Our Heritage 1 Our Services 2 Product Builder 4 Product Showcase 5 Our Branded Innovations 10 Testimonials & Awards 13 Contact Us 14
OUR HERITAGE 1 2 3 FIRST GENERATION The Foundation: Robert <strong>Wilkinson</strong> Robert <strong>Wilkinson</strong> (1838-1899) spent much of his life working in an iron foundry as a metal grinder, which led to his son Luther <strong>Wilkinson</strong> following him into this trade. SECOND GENERATION Trading Up: Luther <strong>Wilkinson</strong> Luther began selling various metal wares, including bakeware, on Burnley Market in Lancashire, England. In 1887 Luther formed a partnership with a fellow market trader and by <strong>1888</strong> they had founded a large factory to produce their wares – the Beatall Works, Burnley. THIRD GENERATION The War Years: George <strong>Wilkinson</strong> Two of Luther’s sons, Luther (Junior) & George, continued in <strong>Housewares</strong> production, while their brother Harold served in the Great War. Harold was quickly promoted from Private to Sergeant, before being lost in action at just 20 4 5 years old in March 1917. George founded his own factory George <strong>Wilkinson</strong> (Burnley) Limited and proceeded to develop his own range of assorted kitchenwares. Their respective factories concentrated on supporting the vital task of food packaging during the war years. FOURTH GENERATION London Stock Exchange: Cecil <strong>Wilkinson</strong> Cecil, son of George and father himself to Ian, Jim, Mark & Simon, ran the family business very successfully for many years. Supported by his brother Alan and his sister Joan’s husband, Arthur Layfield, the company went from strength to strength and was sold by the family in 1979 to a London quoted PLC. FIFTH GENERATION Innovation & Growth: Ian <strong>Wilkinson</strong> Ian worked his first week in the family-owned factory during a school holiday in 1968. He ultimately became Manufacturing Director. Ian made with his own hands, the first ever samples of pre-coated bakeware in the world, in the George <strong>Wilkinson</strong> factory. In 1985 Ian and his eldest brother Jim, founded <strong>Wilkinson</strong> <strong>Housewares</strong> Limited. This company, at its peak, made more bakeware than any other factory in Europe. Ian sold control of the business and after serving as Managing Director for several more years, Ian took his experience to China to found <strong>Wilkinson</strong> China Limited in China and <strong>Wilkinson</strong> <strong>1888</strong> Ltd in the UK. 6 SIXTH GENERATION Continued Innovation and Broadening Global Supply: Sally <strong>Wilkinson</strong>-Kennedy & Alice <strong>Wilkinson</strong> After 20 years in large multinational manufacturing businesses, Sally joined her father Ian, during a period of successful growth and innovation. Since investing in the development of our <strong>Wilkinson</strong> China team in Guangzhou, we have supplied both <strong>Wilkinson</strong> <strong>1888</strong> branded products and dozens of popular private label ranges to over 40 different global retailers, either FOB China or via our close network of respected local distributors. Never happy standing still, we have patented several new exciting products in the last few years and have more in the pipeline. Sister Alice is the creative force behind all of the new recipes available on our website www. wilkinson<strong>1888</strong>.co.uk
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