Wilkin & Sons facts for kids

Wilkin & Sons Ltd

Main factory entrance
Type	Private
Industry	Food manufacture
Predecessor	Britannia Fruit Preserving Company
Founded	1885
Founder	Arthur Charles Wilkin
Headquarters	Tiptree, Essex , England
Area served	Global
Products	Preserves, Jams, Marmalades, Christmas Puddings, Honey, Sauces, Chutneys, Tea, Curds, Fruit Juices, Liqueurs, Spirits
Brands	Tiptree
Number of employees	250

Wilkin & Sons Limited is a famous company that makes delicious jams, marmalades, and other fruity treats. They started way back in 1885 in a place called Tiptree, England. You might know their products by the brand name "Tiptree."

The Story of Tiptree Jams

Early Farming Days

The Wilkin family first came to Tiptree, Essex, in the early 1700s. They started farming at Trewlands farm. By 1865, the farm began growing more fruit instead of just crops like wheat. This fruit was then sent to markets in London. About 850 people lived in Tiptree at that time.

Starting the Jam Business

In 1885, a man named Arthur Charles Wilkin decided to start a company called the Britannia Fruit Preserving Company. This happened after the Prime Minister, William Ewart Gladstone, suggested that people should preserve fruit. The company made the very first "Tiptree" jams. All the jam made that year was sold to a merchant who shipped it all the way to Australia!

Ten years later, the company was much bigger. About 400 people would come each year to help pick the fruit. They harvested around 200 tons of fruit, and half of it was turned into jam and other preserves.

Growing and Expanding

The company later changed its name to Wilkin & Sons. They started leasing farms in other places, like Dagenham and Suffolk. By 1906, the company owned 800 acres of land across farms in Tiptree, Tollesbury, and Goldhanger. They grew 300 tons of fruit each year. Their factory could make 10 tons of strawberry jam every single day during busy times!

Since 1911, the company has held a Royal Warrant. This means they are official suppliers of preserves and marmalades to the British Royal Family. It's a very special honor!

Challenges and Growth

In 1914, a local newspaper reported that over ten tons of strawberries were made into jam in just one day. This included a lot of their famous 'Little Scarlet' strawberries.

During World War I, it was hard to get enough sugar. Because you need a pound of sugar for every pound of fruit to make jam, production had to stop for a while. But by 1922, the company was doing better than ever. They owned 1,000 acres of farmland across eight farms and were making record amounts of fruit and preserves. The company also owned 100 houses, the village's windmill, and the blacksmith's forge. They even owned the Factory Club and the Salvation Army hall.

During World War II, the government's Ministry of Food took charge of the company and factory. Wilkin & Sons kept making their preserves along with other important food products.

Recent Milestones

In 2010, the company celebrated its 125th birthday! Queen Elizabeth II even visited them for the special occasion. The company also had a play written about the life of John Joseph Mechi, who was an inventor and experimental farmer at Tiptree Hall. They also had a "Tiptree" garden created for the famous Chelsea Flower Show.

Tiptree Today

What They Do Now

Today, Peter Wilkin, who is the great-grandson of the founder, is still a very important part of the business. The employees of the company own almost half of the business through a special trust.

The company still farms 1,000 acres of land in and around Tiptree. They grow a lot of their own fruit, including strawberries, plums, cherries, raspberries, mulberries, quinces, and medlars. They also grow a special tiny strawberry called Little Scarlet. This strawberry has a unique and very strong flavor.

In 2012, the company's sales were over £34 million. They have more than 250 full-time employees, and many more people join them during the fruit-picking season.

Wilkin & Sons Limited also runs a group of tea rooms in Essex. They have a special bakery that makes pastries and cakes called Tiptree Patisserie. They also sell fresh fruit grown on their Tiptree farms. The Tiptree Visitor Centre is a great place to visit. It has a tearoom, a shop, and a museum where you can learn about the company's history, how jam is made, and what village life was like. The visitor center and museum are right on the grounds of the jam factory.

Other Brands They Own

• Cole's Puddings Ltd: This company makes Christmas puddings and other desserts. They have a special factory in Great Chesterford, Essex.
• Thursday Cottage: This brand started in Somerset. They make natural jams, preserves, and marmalades.