Saxby Bros Ltd
Encyclopedia
Saxby Bros Limited was a food manufacturing plant based in Wellingborough
, Northamptonshire, who manufactured pork pies, delicatessen, meat and pastry products.
The company's origins began as a butchery in 1904, by brothers Herbert and Ted Saxby, who both opened a shop in Midland Road. Pies were handmade above the shop, and various meats were prepared in the kitchen at the back. Herbert would catch the 3.17 am train to buy pigs at Smithfield Market in London at dawn, ensuring he returned on time to Wellingborough to open the shop at 9 am.
Home deliveries were carried out using a pony and trap to customers who were unable to visit their shop. They both saved enough money to purchase the vacant land next door, where a small bakery and extended butchery was constructed which joined alongside. A veal and ham pie would sell for a shilling; an individual pork pie cost tuppence.
The brothers relocated production and opened their first factory in 1912 at Brook Street East, half-a-mile down the road, at which 12 workers were employed. By 1921, a pig abattoir and a sausage department was constructed. When the business began, the brothers butchered ten pigs a week. This had risen to 500 by the time Saxby's celebrated their golden jubilee. From 1938, the company expanded six times – fifty years later in 1988, HRH Diana, Princess of Wales
officially opened an £8m extension and office block.
Saxby's began exploiting other markets, and found a gap by making chilled pastry which began in 1962. These were sold as separate products, so consumers could bake their own pies at home. Over the years, Saxby's pies were made to a secret recipe. They also took part in the East of England showground, the Ideal Home Exhibition and other outdoor events, which resulted winning more than 100 national prizes. They also held major contracts with the leading supermarkets. Pies have also been sold in Rackhams of Birmingham
, Harrods
, Selfridges
, and Fortnum & Mason in London.
Saxby's had a vast fleet of vans and delivery lorries, and also sold their products in small towns and villages. In 1994, Saxby's implemented a Foodservice range under the Irchester
Grange label. These were vaccuumed packed pies and pastries which were sold to the commercial sector, such as British Rail
and British Airways
.
Saxby's won customers across the globe, exporting its products to South Africa
, Malaysia and the West Indies. In 2001, the company opened the Innovation Centre, which was dedicated by improving their product range. It had 14 shops across Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire
and three in Wellingborough. In 2002, Saxby's closed its last shop in the Swansgate Centre in Wellingborough. The reason of the closure was competition from the supermarket chains.
Saxby's held its Centenary in 2004. This was celebrated by a book being published, as well as gifts handed to the employees.
In 2005, Saxby's was aquired by General Mills
, the parent company of Jus-Rol
, who obtained the pastry sector of the business. Coincidentially, Saxby's announced that it was to end production of baked goods in Wellingborough. Pie and meat production ceased due to increased competition and poor sales. There were 325 members of staff employed; 200 redundancies were planned, 125 staff remained.
In 2008, the pastry sector was transferred to Berwick-Upon-Tweed
, resulting the remaining staff redundant. The whole site was closed to production, which is now demolished and the land is for sale for redevelopment. The Saxby's branding has now disappeared from supermarket shelves, ending a part of Northamptonshire's heritage and history.
Saxby's 'Resurrected'
On the 25th November 2011, a new pastry company, Bakeaway, was created by former Saxby's Director Mr Bill Saxby, and Managing Director, Mr Brian Homewood. The new £2m factory is based at Corby
in Northamptonshire. The company was awarded a contract with Sainsburys, leading to the creation of 40 jobs, and was formally opened by Corby MP Louise Mensch.
http://www.northantset.co.uk/community/local-businesses/new_firm_creates_40_jobs_in_corby_1_3281601
Wellingborough
Wellingborough is a market town and borough in Northamptonshire, England, situated some from the county town of Northampton. The town is situated on the north side of the River Nene, most of the older town is sited on the flanks of the hills above the river's current flood plain...
, Northamptonshire, who manufactured pork pies, delicatessen, meat and pastry products.
The company's origins began as a butchery in 1904, by brothers Herbert and Ted Saxby, who both opened a shop in Midland Road. Pies were handmade above the shop, and various meats were prepared in the kitchen at the back. Herbert would catch the 3.17 am train to buy pigs at Smithfield Market in London at dawn, ensuring he returned on time to Wellingborough to open the shop at 9 am.
Home deliveries were carried out using a pony and trap to customers who were unable to visit their shop. They both saved enough money to purchase the vacant land next door, where a small bakery and extended butchery was constructed which joined alongside. A veal and ham pie would sell for a shilling; an individual pork pie cost tuppence.
The brothers relocated production and opened their first factory in 1912 at Brook Street East, half-a-mile down the road, at which 12 workers were employed. By 1921, a pig abattoir and a sausage department was constructed. When the business began, the brothers butchered ten pigs a week. This had risen to 500 by the time Saxby's celebrated their golden jubilee. From 1938, the company expanded six times – fifty years later in 1988, HRH Diana, Princess of Wales
Princess of Wales
Princess of Wales is a British courtesy title held by the wife of The Prince of Wales since the first "English" Prince of Wales in 1283.Although there have been considerably more than ten male heirs to the throne, there have been only ten Princesses of Wales. The majority of Princes of Wales...
officially opened an £8m extension and office block.
Saxby's began exploiting other markets, and found a gap by making chilled pastry which began in 1962. These were sold as separate products, so consumers could bake their own pies at home. Over the years, Saxby's pies were made to a secret recipe. They also took part in the East of England showground, the Ideal Home Exhibition and other outdoor events, which resulted winning more than 100 national prizes. They also held major contracts with the leading supermarkets. Pies have also been sold in Rackhams of Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, Harrods
Harrods
Harrods is an upmarket department store located in Brompton Road in Brompton, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London. The Harrods brand also applies to other enterprises undertaken by the Harrods group of companies including Harrods Bank, Harrods Estates, Harrods Aviation and Air...
, Selfridges
Selfridges
Selfridges, AKA Selfridges & Co, is a chain of high end department stores in the United Kingdom. It was founded by Harry Gordon Selfridge. The flagship store in London's Oxford Street is the second largest shop in the UK and was opened on 15 March 1909.More recently, three other stores have been...
, and Fortnum & Mason in London.
Saxby's had a vast fleet of vans and delivery lorries, and also sold their products in small towns and villages. In 1994, Saxby's implemented a Foodservice range under the Irchester
Irchester
Irchester is a civil parish and village in the county of Northamptonshire, England. It is about 2 miles south-east of the town of Wellingborough and 2 miles south-west of Rushden, and equidistant from London, south, and Birmingham, to the north-west...
Grange label. These were vaccuumed packed pies and pastries which were sold to the commercial sector, such as British Rail
British Rail
British Railways , which from 1965 traded as British Rail, was the operator of most of the rail transport in Great Britain between 1948 and 1997. It was formed from the nationalisation of the "Big Four" British railway companies and lasted until the gradual privatisation of British Rail, in stages...
and British Airways
British Airways
British Airways is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom, based in Waterside, near its main hub at London Heathrow Airport. British Airways is the largest airline in the UK based on fleet size, international flights and international destinations...
.
Saxby's won customers across the globe, exporting its products to South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Malaysia and the West Indies. In 2001, the company opened the Innovation Centre, which was dedicated by improving their product range. It had 14 shops across Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire is a ceremonial county of historic origin in England that forms part of the East of England region.It borders Cambridgeshire to the north-east, Northamptonshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the west and Hertfordshire to the south-east....
and three in Wellingborough. In 2002, Saxby's closed its last shop in the Swansgate Centre in Wellingborough. The reason of the closure was competition from the supermarket chains.
Saxby's held its Centenary in 2004. This was celebrated by a book being published, as well as gifts handed to the employees.
In 2005, Saxby's was aquired by General Mills
General Mills
General Mills, Inc. is an American Fortune 500 corporation, primarily concerned with food products, which is headquartered in Golden Valley, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. The company markets many well-known brands, such as Betty Crocker, Yoplait, Colombo, Totinos, Jeno's, Pillsbury, Green...
, the parent company of Jus-Rol
Jus-Rol
Jus-Rol is a British manufacturer of frozen pastry, and related products such as sausage rolls and vol-au-vents. The company is owned by General Mills and based in Berwick-Upon-Tweed....
, who obtained the pastry sector of the business. Coincidentially, Saxby's announced that it was to end production of baked goods in Wellingborough. Pie and meat production ceased due to increased competition and poor sales. There were 325 members of staff employed; 200 redundancies were planned, 125 staff remained.
In 2008, the pastry sector was transferred to Berwick-Upon-Tweed
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Berwick-upon-Tweed or simply Berwick is a town in the county of Northumberland and is the northernmost town in England, on the east coast at the mouth of the River Tweed. It is situated 2.5 miles south of the Scottish border....
, resulting the remaining staff redundant. The whole site was closed to production, which is now demolished and the land is for sale for redevelopment. The Saxby's branding has now disappeared from supermarket shelves, ending a part of Northamptonshire's heritage and history.
Saxby's 'Resurrected'
On the 25th November 2011, a new pastry company, Bakeaway, was created by former Saxby's Director Mr Bill Saxby, and Managing Director, Mr Brian Homewood. The new £2m factory is based at Corby
Corby
Corby Town is a town and borough located in the county of Northamptonshire. Corby Town is 23 miles north-east of the county town, Northampton. The borough had a population of 53,174 at the 2001 Census; the town on its own accounted for 49,222 of this figure...
in Northamptonshire. The company was awarded a contract with Sainsburys, leading to the creation of 40 jobs, and was formally opened by Corby MP Louise Mensch.
External links
http://www.northantset.co.uk/community/local-businesses/new_firm_creates_40_jobs_in_corby_1_3281601