Samworth Brothers
Samworth Brothers is a privately held, family-owned British food manufacturer founded in 1896 by George Samworth as a pig dealing business in Leicestershire, which has grown into one of the UK's largest producers of chilled and ambient foods, including pork pies, pasties, sandwiches, ready meals, and salads, serving both own-label contracts for major retailers and branded products.[1][2]
The company, now in its fourth generation of family ownership, operates over 15 bakeries and production sites across the UK, employing more than 12,500 people and generating annual sales of £1.59 billion as of 2023/2024, with a focus on quality, innovation, and long-term partnerships with customers like supermarkets.[3][2]
Key brands under its umbrella include Ginsters for Cornish pasties, Dickinson & Morris for Melton Mowbray pork pies—the largest certified producer—and Higgidy for pies and quiches, alongside acquisitions such as Urban Eat sandwiches and Soreen malt loaves that have expanded its portfolio in food-to-go and baked goods.[2][1]
Notable milestones include the 1969 acquisition of Pork Farms, the 1977 purchase of Ginsters, and recent investments totaling £282 million since 2018 to enhance production capacity and sustainability, reflecting a strategy rooted in enduring family stewardship rather than short-term profit maximization.[1][3]