Cerebos
of Cerebos-Works, Ellison-place, Newcastle-upon-Tyne (1903)
of Cerebos Works, Greatham, Hartlepool
George Weddell developed a pourable salt (as distinct from the blocks of salt available previously) so it could be used as a table salt. The phosphate content was increased to c.3 percent making it less likely to adsorb moisture from the atmosphere. Initially made and sold by Mawson, Swan and Weddell.[1].
1893 Cerebos was advertised as "... ordered by hundreds of Doctors as everyday food. CEREBOS TABLE SALT White as snow. Does not cake. Sprinkles like ... CEREBOS TABLE SALT For Dainty Tables. ... CEREBOS TABLE SALT (Patent) Jars.[2]
1894 The company of Cerebos Salt Co Ltd (UK) was incorporated by George Weddell, later the Managing Director.
1903 Cerebos (1903) Ltd was registered on 28 November[3], to amalgamate the rights for all countries in Cerebos salt and various other specialities, and to acquire salt wells and works[4].[5] Directors; John Ashburner France, Merchant; Hugh Crawford Smith, M.P.; Thomas Hatfield Walker, Medical Practitioner; Alfred Nicholls, Ship Broker; Benjamin Tillier (France), Chemist; George Weddell, M.D. and Manufacturing Chemist. Manufacturers of Cerebos Table Salt, Cerebos Cooking Salt, Cerebos Baking Powder, Cerebos Pepper, Pepsalia Digestive Salt, Cerebos Health Salt ('Seraph Brand'), and other specialities.[6]
1904 Acquired the Greatham Salt and Brine Works near Hartlepool; the HQ of the business was moved there.
1907 Saxa Salt was launched as a lower cost brand of salt.
c1908 The Cerebos salt company invented the Bisto gravy powder product (a mixture of salt, flavourings and colourings), at its salt factory.
1919 Acquired Middlewich Salt Co in order to diversify supplies
1939 Acquired John Crampton and Co, manufacturer of Paxo stuffing.[7]
1951 Acquired A. and R. Scott, maker of Scott's porridge oats.[8]
1959 Acquired Brand and Co.[9]
1962 Acquired J. A. Sharwood and Co, manufacturer of chutneys and curry sauces.[10]
1963 Acquired Hugon and Co, manufacturer of Atora suet.[11]. Acquired A. G. Linfield, producer of Chesswood mushrooms, which was renamed Linfields (Canners and Growers).
c.1964 A new subsidiary was set up, Brand-Sharwood Ltd, to bring together A. and R. Scott, Brand and Co, J. A. Sharwood and Co, and Linfield Canners[12]
1966 Agreement with Staveley Industries Ltd to merge their manufacturing and bulk vacuum salt interests[13] which was incorporated in new private company British Salt Ltd, one-quarter owned by Cerebos. A new salt works would be constructed in the Sandbach-Middlewich area.
1968 Acquired by Ranks Hovis McDougall in an agreed take-over.[14]. As well as being involved in agricultural products and raw materials, Cerebos owned brands such as Cerebos and Saxa salt, Bisto gravy, Paxo stuffing, Brands soups and pastes, Scott's porridge oats, Crampton gravy browning, Hugon (Atora) shredded suets, Sharwood's Indian, Chinese and SE Asian sauces, and Stamina pet foods[15].
2007 Acquired by Premier Foods as part of its purchase of RHM
2008 Saxa was the UK's favourite brand of salt.
See Also
- 1908 Stock Exchange Year-Book: Miscellaneous Companies: C
- 1913 Royal Warrants (03)
- 1914 Whitakers Red Book: S
- 1914 Who's Who in Business: Company C
- 1918 Directory of Manufacturers in Engineering and Allied Trades: Company C
- 1929 Royal Warrants (03)
- 1970 Royal Warrants (03)
- A. and R. Scott
- Atora
- Bisto
- Brand and Co
- British Salt
- Energen Foods Co
- George Howard Patterson
- George Weddell
- Hugon and Co
- J. A. Sharwood and Co
- James William McRobert
- John Crampton and Co
- Lincolnshire Canners
- Paxo
- RHM Foods
- Ranks Hovis McDougall
- Samuel Hanson and Son
- Saxa
- Scotts Porage Oats
- Sifta Table Salt
- Staveley Industries
- Washington Chemical Co
Sources of Information
- ↑ [1] Lets Look Again - history of Cerebos
- ↑ Newcastle Chronicle 02 September 1893
- ↑ London Gazette 25 Dec 1903
- ↑ The Stock Exchange Year Book 1908
- ↑ Newcastle Daily Chronicle - Friday 04 December 1903
- ↑ Globe - Friday 04 December 1903
- ↑ The Times, May 13, 1939
- ↑ The Times, June 26, 1951
- ↑ The Times, July 4, 1959
- ↑ The Times, May 9, 1963
- ↑ The Times, May 7, 1964
- ↑ The Times May 9, 1966
- ↑ The Times, Jan 20, 1967
- ↑ The Times, 4 July 1968
- ↑ The Times, 4 July 1968