of Strand, and Mincing Lane, London
Twinings mostly provides mid-range teas such as Lapsang Souchong, Lady Grey and Darjeeling. It is generally accepted that the company was the first to blend Earl Grey Tea in Britain during the premiership of Charles, 2nd Earl Grey, although this is disputed by rival tea merchants Jacksons of Piccadilly, which is now owned by Twinings.
1706 Thomas Twining opened the first tea room, which is still at 216 Strand, London.
1710 Established the business which went onto become R. Twining and Co
1787 The company created its logo, thought to be the world's oldest commercial logo that has been in continuous use since its inception.
1837 Royal Warrant to the Court of St. James's.
1852 Partners are: Richard Twining, John Alfred Twining, Richard Twining, Junior, and Samuel Henry Twining.[1]
1876 Partners are: Richard Twining, Samuel Henry Twining, Arthur Bovill Twining, and Herbert Haynes Twining.[2]
1887 Partners are: Richard Twining, Samuel Harvey Twining, Arthur Bovill Twining, Herbert Haynes Twining, Arthur James Tweed, and Samuel Twining.[3]
1904 Incorporated as a Company
1914 Tea and Coffee Merchants, 216, Strand, London, W.C., and 9, Mincing Lane, E.C.; Established in 1710 by Thomas Twining. Incorporated as a Company in 1904. Directors: A. J. Tweed (Chairman), C. T. Sidgwick, Harvey Twining and C. T. Donaldson. Branches: (Outside London) Liverpool, and 76, Boulevard Haussmann, and 83, Avenue Niel, Paris. Connection: Throughout the United Kingdom, Foreign, and in the Colonies. Purveyors to most of the leading hotels and railways in United Kingdom.
1916 Formation of Twining, Crosfield and Co Limited, acquiring the tea interests of Harrisons and Crosfield
1964 Acquired by Associated British Foods; Stephen Twining now represents the company's ten generations.
2003 Twinings and Ovaltine were brought together in Twinings Ovo by ABF
2005 Introduced its first generic, non-speciality tea, under the brand Everyday Tea.
2006 Twinings celebrated its 300th anniversary, with a special tea, and associated tea caddies. Twinings is a Royal Warrant holder (appointed by HM The Queen). Started producing a tinned luxury chocolate drink.
2007 Launched a selection of tinned luxury coffees.
2008 In April, Twinings announced their decision to close the Nambarrie plant with the likely loss of 34 jobs. Twinings said it needed to consolidate its UK manufacturing operations in the face of increasing global competition. Nambarrie Managing Director Brian Davis commented "Our employees have made us a local success and for that we owe them a deep debt of gratitude".
Twinings also owns Nambarrie a tea company based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, which has been trading for 140 years.
The Twinings range includes: Everyday Tea; Classics Range (including English Breakfast, Assam, Prince of Wales); Light Classics; Aromatics Range (including Earl Grey); Premium Quality Range; "Blended for You" Range; Green Tea Range; Traditional Herbal; Camomile Blends; Herbal and Fruit Blends; Red Berries; Citrus Fruit; Soft Fruit Blends; Herbal and Fruit Selections; and Organic Infusions.