Weetabix celebrates 90 years of production with thank-you tours

The Weetabix Food Company is celebrating its 90th anniversary of production in September, with unique factory tours for the relatives of its employees.

Established in 1932, the year the BBC World Service began broadcasting and Emelia Earhart became the first woman to fly nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean, the company still operates from its original Northamptonshire base – alongside its sites in Corby and Ashton Under Lyne – and is renowned for making some of Britain’s favourite breakfast cereals such as Weetabix, Alpen and Ready Brek, as well as creating the market leading breakfast drink Weetabix On the Go.

Across four weekends in September and October, Weetabix employees will be joined by their families on factory tours at its site in Burton Latimer, giving relatives unique insights behind the scenes at the iconic British food manufacturer.

Lynn Furnival, one of Weetabix’s longest serving employees, said: “I started as a Lab Technician in 1979, so I’ve been part of the company for nearly half its life! I’ve always been proud to work here alongside some fantastic people and with great development opportunities available to me. There’s been plenty of change throughout my time, but it’s what has kept it exciting – and the company has always lived up to its reputation of being a great place to work and one that provides products that are nutritious as well as delicious. The future feels bright for Weetabix, and I’m so excited to see all the new innovations and projects come to life!”

In 1932, Bennison Osbourne and Malcolm MacFarlane, Weetabix’s founders, formed the British and African Cereal Co Ltd, and their first move was acquiring a disused flour mill in Burton Latimer to start production of a revolutionary new cereal – Weetabix. In 1936, the company became Weetabix Limited.

“Life has changed a great deal over the decades that we’ve been manufacturing here in the UK, but our brand and products have remained trusted by families in the UK and around the world. Despite the challenges businesses like ours are facing at the moment, our 90th anniversary gives us an opportunity to celebrate, reflect on our progress and to look towards a bright and prosperous future,” Sally Abbott, managing director of Weetabix Food Company, said.

“I’m so very grateful to everyone who has worked for us or works for us today – from manufacturing teams through to technical teams and warehouse operators, sales and marketing teams, support staff, our pensioners and our apprentices alike – for their tremendous efforts and dedication during our long history. Weetabix wouldn’t be Weetabix without our 90 years of brilliant people.”

As part of the anniversary celebrations, Weetabix will also be promoting some of the latest developments and achievements within the business such as:

• The success of Weetabix’s Growers’ Group – a collective of British farmers all located within 50 miles of its Northamptonshire factory who grow the best quality wheat for its Weetabix Original. Since it was set up in 2010, the Growers’ Group has involved over 350 local farmers, growing approximately 75,000 metric tonnes of wheat each year, across more than 4 million acres.
• 99 per cent of the products the Weetabix Food Company (WFC) produces are non-HFSS.
• Over 99 per cent of all WFC product packaging can be widely recycled and Weetabix On The Go drinks bottles have been developed to include more than 50 per cent recycled plastic.
• As part of its charity work, over the past 12 months WFC has donated more than three million breakfasts to disadvantaged school children through Magic Breakfast and Fareshare in England and Scotland.
• Partnering with The FA and the Football Association of Wales to help develop young girls’ grassroots football initiatives, through the Weetabix Wildcats and the Weetabix Huddle programmes. The Weetabix Wildcats programme now has 28,000 registered players, with 6,500 new sign ups happening during July 2022 as the Women’s Euros took place.
• WFC has held the Royal Warrant for 46 years, first being awarded it in 1975