J. A. and P. Holland
Arthur Holland, toffee and caramel maker, of Southport
1927 Business commenced
1953 Public company incorporated[1] J. A. and P. Holland trading as Arthur Holland the Southport toffee and caramel manufacturers. Directors are John Arthur Holland (senior), John Arthur Holland (junior) and Peter Holland[2]
1960 Started to diversify, acquiring:
- Fillerys Toffees
- Walter's "Palm" Toffee
- Ewbanks
- S. Parkinson (Doncaster)
- Coq d'Or Chocolates
- Casket Confectionery Co
1961 Acquired Harper Paper Group; Granada Theatres invested in the new group as part of a strategy of diversification into confectionery[3]
1961 October: had made 23 acquisitions during the preceding 3 months[4]
1961 November: Made 8 acquisitions
1962 January: Acquired Visual Container Co of London, Wholesale Supplies Ltd of Buxton, and Ellis and Carter of Liverpool.[5]
1965 Carr and Co (owned by Cavenham) bid for the family holding in the company but did not intend to make a full take-over; Holland's expansion plans since 1960 had not been fully successful and shareholders had not had a dividend since 1963[6]
1965 Cavenham Foods acquired the remaining shares that it did not already own[7]
c1967 Became part of Cavenham Confectionery