Cavaghan & Gray facts for kids

Cavaghan & Gray is a company in Carlisle, England, that makes lots of different foods. It's now part of a bigger company called 2 Sisters Food Group. For many years, until 2004, Cavaghan & Gray was the biggest employer in Carlisle, meaning it gave the most people jobs! Locals sometimes call the company Cavvies.

How Cavaghan & Gray Started

The company began with three people: Thomas Cavaghan, Jonathan Gray, and a Mr. Collins. They called their business Cavaghan, Collin and Gray. It started small, as a butcher shop, with only 8 employees.

By the mid-1920s, Mr. Gray and Mr. Collins had left the company. It then became known as Cavaghan and Gray. Thomas Cavaghan Jr., the son of the founder, also joined the business around this time.

Facing Tough Times

In the 1930s, the company faced difficulties because of a period called the Great Depression. This was a time when many businesses struggled. To get through it, Cavaghan & Gray had to sell some of its land and buildings.

In 1937, Thomas Cavaghan Sr. passed away. His three sons, George, Henry, and Thomas Jr., took over running the company.

Growing During Wartime

The company started to do well again during the Second World War. They bought new farms and sites, and they improved their factories. This helped the business grow stronger.

New Leadership and Success

After Thomas Cavaghan Jr. died in 1957, there were more changes in leadership. George had also passed away during the war. So, Henry Cavaghan became the chairman, with Alec Crawford, Brian Seery, and Margaret Cavaghan joining the board of directors.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Cavaghan & Gray began making food for big names like Marks & Spencer and Heinz. This was a huge step! It helped the company become the successful business it is today.

In 1998, the company, then known as Cavaghan & Gray Group plc, was sold to another large food company called Northern Foods. The sale was for about £79 million.