From a humble grocery shop to the factory behind the globally loved Cadbury brand today. This is the story of a father and two sons, and how their generosity inspired generations. They poured "one and a half glasses" into their Dairy Milk—and into the lives of their employees and communities. People have always been and will always remain at the heart of this company.
In 1824, John Cadbury opened a grocery shop on Bull Street in Birmingham. Among other goods, he sold cocoa and drinking chocolate, which he prepared himself using a mortar and pestle. This chocolate quickly became very popular. So, in 1831, John purchased a nearby warehouse and—with the help of his sons George and Richard—began production. Soon, in 1847, they moved to a larger factory on Bridge Street.
Feeling unwell, John retired from the business in 1861, passing operations to Richard and George—George took charge of production, while Richard oversaw sales. Business was tough, and George was heard saying, "If the business ever makes a thousand pounds of profit a year, I’ll retire happy." The breakthrough came when the brothers invested in a completely new method of cocoa processing…
At that time, cocoa was produced with a high cocoa butter content. The taste of the butter was so unpleasant that starch was added to mask its flavor and texture. Then George heard about an innovative cocoa press used by Dutch manufacturer van Houten. The press removed so much cocoa butter from the beans that there was no need for starch. Using the press, George and Richard discovered they could produce 100% pure cocoa. Hard to believe, but other chocolate makers were enriching their cocoa with animal fats, red lead, and brick dust. The brothers focused on making completely unadulterated cocoa and, in 1866, launched Cadbury Cocoa Essence, marketed as "Absolutely pure, therefore best."
In 1878, the brothers began searching for a site to build a new factory. Not just any site—George had a vision. “Why should an industrial area be bleak and depressing?” They found 14.5 acres of meadowland south of Birmingham, complete with a cottage and the Bourn stream. Adding the suffix “-ville” (French for “town”), they named it Bournville. With excellent transport links and room to grow, Bournville was the ideal setting. George wanted green spaces where Cadbury workers could escape the crowded, dirty city and enjoy a higher quality of life. Together with Birmingham architect George H. Gadd, he designed the factory and, in January 1879, construction began—alongside the first 16 houses for workers—with many more to follow…
As George Cadbury said: “If a country is a good place to live, why shouldn’t it be a good place to work?” Bournville became a community where employees could live, work, and play. Children enjoyed new playgrounds, countryside outings, and summer camps. Men played football, ice hockey, and cricket. By 1902, 30% of Cadbury’s capital expenditure went to employee welfare. Tennis and squash courts, a bowling green, and heated swimming pools with changing rooms were built. Such amenities—and paid holidays—were unheard of in the Victorian era. Cadbury was among the first companies to introduce a half-day off on Saturdays. “People told us it would be ruinous,” said George. “I doubt any man could have been happier.”