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History

Watch Trebor grow through the twentieth century

1906-1920

GETTING STARTED

1921-1945

GOING NATIONAL

1946-1957

POST-WAR BOOM

1958-1969

GOING GLOBAL

1970-1979

THE SEVENTIES

1980-1989

TOUGH AT THE TOP

1989-

SALE AND BEYOND

2022-

TREBOR TODAY

Driver B Fretwell seen with the firm's horses and van in 1910.

1906-1920

Getting started

As the 1900s dawn across East London, four men venture their ambition upon a humble sugar-boiling business. Read more

1921-1945

Going national

Young Sydney Marks sets the firm’s sights beyond London. Trebor becomes a name nationwide. Read more

The new Chesterfield factory backed onto green fields, but was handily next to a railway station and goods yard.
A smart new fleet of Trebor vans and liveried drivers lines up during the 1950s.
1946-1957

Post-war boom

Despite the rigours of rationing, the firm grows fast by staying agile, building new plant and buying other businesses. Read more

1958-1969

Going global

Young Sydney Marks sets the firm’s sights beyond London. Trebor becomes a name nationwide. Read more

In Nigeria, mints sold particularly well in the muslim north, where little alcohol was consumed and peppermint was a popular relief for dry throats caused by dust storms from the Sahara. At one time sales of Trebor Mints in Nigeria exceeded those in Britain.
Anyone growing up in 1970s Britain can probably remember the pineapple and raspberry sweetness of Fruit Salad. In 2003 the firm’s new owners Cadbury declared that both Fruit Salad and Black Jacks were out of favour with the public – so the Chesterfield factory, where they were then produced, was closed. Today both products are available through the Barratt brand, bought from Cadbury by Tangerine Confectionery.
1970-1979

The Seventies

A new generation takes over. It invests ambitiously, explores new ways of working and keeps Trebor at the forefront of British sweetmaking. Read more

1980-1989

Tough at the top

Trebor now sells over half the mints bought in Britain. But it is becoming harder for a family firm to compete with global competitors. Read more

Headline brands of 1986 included old favourites like Trebor’s Extra Strong Mints, Refreshers and Imperials alongside the newly acquired Maynards Wine Gums and American Hard Gums. Eighties newcomers Softmints have settled in well, along with the 1984-launched Spearmints. Fewer boiled sweets feature as mints take over. By now the firm was installing Mint Bars in shops to make the most of its range.
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1989 -

Sale and beyond

Once sale becomes inevitable, the family seek to steer the firm into safe hands. They choose Cadbury. Read more

2021 -

Trebor today

No longer associated with place or people, Trebor today is simply a brand. But it’s still Number One in British mints. Read more

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