Oatfield (confectioner) facts for kids
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| Confectionery Manufacturer | |
| Founded | 1927 |
| Defunct | 2012 (Brand and products still produced by Valeo) |
| Headquarters | Letterkenny, County Donegal, Ireland |
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Area served
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Worldwide |
| Products | Confectionery |
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Number of employees
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95 (peak) |
| Parent | Zed Candy Ltd. |
Oatfield was a famous company in Ireland that made delicious chocolates and sweets. It was located in Letterkenny, County Donegal. For many years, it was the oldest sweet maker in Ireland.
Contents
The Sweet History of Oatfield
Starting Small: The Early Years
The Oatfield story began in Letterkenny. It started as a shop that sold things in bulk and to regular customers. The McKinney family owned the business. They decided to start making their own sweets.
On August 15, 1927, the very first Oatfield sweets were made. They used an open coke fire in a small shed behind the shop. At first, the company was called Mayfield Confectionery. But they soon changed the name to Oatfield. This was because another company in Manchester had the same name. The land where the factory was built was known as "Oatfield." So, they simply used that name.
When the factory first opened, only six people worked there. They made about 3 tons of sweets each week. Over time, the company grew a lot. Eventually, they were making around 65 tons of sweets every week!
Growing Bigger: Reaching the World
By 1960, Oatfield made a big decision. They stopped selling sweets made by other companies. Instead, they focused only on making and selling their own Oatfield sweets. This turned out to be a very successful choice for the company.
Oatfield sweets started to be sold outside of Ireland in August 1964. The first sweets were sent to Northern Ireland. At its most popular, Oatfield sweets were sent all over the world. You could find them in countries like the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, and France.
Changes and Legacy
In February 1999, a company called Donegal Creameries PLC bought Oatfield. Then, in 2007, another Irish sweet company called Zed Candy bought the brand. Zed Candy is well-known for its chewing gum.
Before the factory closed, about 15 people worked there. They made many popular sweets. Some of the main types were Emerald, Toffees, Eclairs, and Boiled sweets. The most popular products were Oatfield Emerald, Colleen Assortment, and Orange Chocolate.
The Oatfield factory in Letterkenny closed its doors on May 27, 2012. The making of the sweets moved to the United Kingdom. In May 2014, the old factory building was taken down. Even though the factory is gone, the Oatfield brand is still alive! A company called Valeo Foods now makes all the famous Oatfield sweets. You can still buy them across Ireland today.
Popular Oatfield Sweets
Oatfield made many different kinds of delicious sweets. Here are some of their well-known products:
- Oatfield Emerald
- Oatfield Eskimo Mints
- Oatfield Clove Drops
- Oatfield Eclairs
- Oatfield Glucose Barley
- Oatfield Glucose Fruits
- Oatfield Irish Butter Toffee
- Oatfield Liquorice Toffee
- Oatfield Mint Humbugs
- Oatfield Orange Chocolate
