Octavius Hunt
of Bristol, maker of matches and later of specialised fireworks
Company founded by Octavius Hunt
c1912 For many years prior to 1955 was owned by British Match Group[1]
Specialised in Bengal Lights, sparklers and other speciality fireworks and matches
1972 Bought by Wilkinson Sword
1981 Acquired a distributor of telecommunications equipment. Later that year the Octavius Hunt company was acquired by Charles Hill of Bristol[2]
1998 'Redfield-based Octavius Hunt is the country’s last surviving matchmaker. It manufactures a range of specialist matches including the weatherproof Storm match used by the British Army. It also produces fireworks pesticides and smoke pellets. It has been in Bristol since the 1870s making matches. Bryant & May bought the firm in around 1912 before it was sold to Wilkinson Sword in 1972. It was then bought by its management and later became part of the Chemring Group. Last week the Chemring Group sold it to its management led by managing director Jan Reynolds.'[3]