Our Heritage
We are almost 200 years young with a heritage tracing right back to 1824. It's a fascinating story of industrial and social development - the story of a small family business growing up, and joining with others, to become an international world leader. A story of technical invention and secret recipes, marketing savvy and the creation of great brands. A story of people who are passionate, principled, pioneering and just love confectionery.
The Cadbury family tradition
It was John Cadbury, a young Quaker, who first set things in motion when he opened a shop in Birmingham, UK in 1824. His original focus was the trade of tea and coffee, but he soon spotted a new opportunity in cocoa beverages and laid the foundations for Cadbury's move into chocolate and then confectionery.
Cadbury's was a business founded on strong values and a sense of social responsibility. As Quakers, the Cadbury family believed tea, coffee and cocoa beverages could serve as an alternative to alcohol, seen to be a cause of poverty and deprivation amongst the working classes.
More broadly, they were active across other Quaker campaigns for 'justice, equality and social reform, putting an end to poverty and deprivation.' For example, Cadbury were involved in the early anti-slavery movement, calls for better housing and sanitation, and inner city smoke abatement.
Across the UK society, Quakers were excluded from universities (which were closely tied to the established church) and therefore entry into the professions. They were also unwilling to enter the military due to their pacifist principles, so turned their energies and talents towards business and social reform.
So starting with cocoa, hand-ground with a mortar and pestle in the back room of his shop, John Cadbury laid the foundations of today’s Cadbury.
Cadbury plc
In 2007, the decision was made to separate the Beverage and Confectionery businesses. The demerger of the Americas Beverages Business on 7 May 2008, marked the beginning of a new era for Cadbury plc with its vision to be the world’s BIGGEST and BEST confectionery company. Today, Cadbury continues to operate with a deep rooted belief that doing good is good for business.
Read more about the 'History of Cadbury' at www.cadbury.co.uk
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