KP Snacks

Our Story

Our business has its roots way back in the 19th century with a company called Kenyon Produce – hence ‘KP’. From small beginnings trading in various foods, the company turned its hand to crisps in the 1940s.

Building on that heritage, KP Snacks today is now the UK’s second largest snack manufacturer, with a portfolio of much-loved British snack brands and seven manufacturing sites around the country, with our headquarters in Slough, Berkshire.

We’re also part of Intersnack, a global market leader in savoury snacks that is present in over 30 countries across Europe, Australia, New Zealand and beyond. 

The History of KP Snacks

1853 
Kenyon Produce was started by Charles Kenyon, who served an apprenticeship to a confectioner before starting his own business in Rotherham, primarily selling jam

1891
Charles Kenyon merged his interests with that of another jam manufacturer, Matthew Craven of Hull. The new,enlarged firm became Kenyon, Son & Craven, which also made pickles, sauces and confectionery.

1948
Biscuit maker, Meredith & Drew, becomes one of the first UK companies to start making potato crisps, with a new factory in Ashby.

1948 Kenyon, Son & Craven (KP) was acquired by Simon Heller of Leeds. The firm began to produce roasted and salted hazelnuts in Rotherham.

1953
Five years later, KP launched its first salted peanuts and became the first UK company to distribute this popular new product nationwide. It also became famous for peanut butter!

1967
Meredith & Drew in Ashby was acquired by United Biscuits.

 

 

1968
KP is acquired by United Biscuits.

1973
The launch of Hula Hoops

1983
KP launches the very first dry roasted peanuts

1985
A crunchy new arrival with the launch of McCoy’s!

 

 

1990
POM-BEAR arrives on the UK market for the first time.

2007
Union Snack in Tanfield joins Intersnack, bringing the first US-style pretzels to the UK with the Penn State brand.

2009
Intersnack UK acquires Percy Dalton, an 80-year-old family nut business

2012
Penn State is relaunched as ‘The Home of Classic American Snacks.’

25 January 2013
KP Snacks joins Intersnack Group.

2014
Intersnack UK and KP Snacks are integrated, becoming one business. KP Snacks also takes control of Largo Foods UK.

2015
In August, a major investment sees the opening of a brand new factory for KP Nuts at Hellaby near Rotherham.

2015
KP Snacks moves headquarters to a new location in Slough.

2017
KP Snacks acquires Butterkist

2018
KP Snacks acquires the Tyrrells and popchips brands

2024
Whole Earth Foods joins KP Snacks