Cavaghan & Gray facts for kids

Cavaghan & Gray is a company that makes food, located in Carlisle, England. It is currently owned by a larger company called 2 Sisters Food Group. For many years, up until 2004, Cavaghan & Gray was the biggest employer in Carlisle, meaning it gave jobs to the most people in the city. The company still has factories in Carlisle at Eastern Way and Durranhill Riverbank. In the past, they used to sell their products under the name Cavray. Local people often call the company Cavvies.

The Story of Cavaghan & Gray

How the Company Started

The company was first created by two people, Thomas Cavaghan and Jonathan Gray. They also had help from a Mr. Collins. Because of this, the business was first called Cavaghan, Collin and Gray. It began as a small butcher shop, with only eight employees. At first, they didn't make a lot of money.

Changes and Challenges

By the mid-1920s, Mr. Gray and Mr. Collins had left the company. The business then became known as Cavaghan and Gray. Around this time, Thomas Cavaghan Jr., who was the son of one of the founders, also joined the company.

The company faced tough times during the 1930s, a period known as the Great Depression. Many businesses struggled, and Cavaghan & Gray had to sell some of its land and buildings to keep going.

New Leadership and Growth

In 1937, Thomas Cavaghan Sr. passed away. His three sons, George, Henry, and Thomas Jr., took over running the company. The business started to do much better during the Second World War. They bought new farms and sites, and they made their factories better.

In 1957, there were more changes in leadership after Thomas Cavaghan Jr. died. George had also passed away during the war. So, Henry Cavaghan became the chairman, which is like the head of the company. Alec Crawford, Brian Seery, and Margaret Cavaghan also joined the board of directors, helping to guide the company.

Making Food for Big Brands

During the 1960s and 1970s, Cavaghan & Gray began making food for very well-known companies. These included Marks & Spencer and Heinz. Working with these big brands helped Cavaghan & Gray grow into the successful food business it is today.

Becoming Part of a Larger Group

In 1998, the company, which was then called Cavaghan & Gray Group plc, was sold. It became part of a bigger food company called Northern Foods. The sale was for about £79 million.