Rington's
of Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Samuel Smith was born in Leeds in 1872 and grew up in a small cottage on Ladypit Lane.
1907 With an initial investment of £250, Sam Smith started Ringtons with his business partner William Titterington in the Heaton area of Newcastle upon Tyne, selling tea from a horse-drawn cart.
1914 Smith bought Titterington's share in the business; his son Douglas joined as an apprentice
1920s Started using 2 motorised vans
1931 Set up Northern Coachbuilders
By 1954 one delivery was still being made by horse-drawn cart.
1956 Ringtons Ltd was incorporated to acquire the business of Ringtons (Holdings) Ltd, tea, coffee and cocoa merchants, and carry on the business of motor engineers and coachbuilders[1]
1962 Introduced the first tea-bag machine in their factory
1994 Ringtons Holdings Ltd were tea blenders and packers, tea and coffee retailers, and electric vehicle manufacturers[2]
2017 Ringtons was still delivering tea and biscuits to households[3]. Also serve wholesale customers nationwide.