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 seven manufacturing sites around the country and our headquarters in Slough, Berkshire.
We’re also one of the UK’s most dynamic, award-winning food businesses.
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
In the same year, Kenyon, Son & Craven (KP) was acquired by Simon Heller of Leeds. The firm began to produce roasted and salted hazelnuts in Rotherham.
1953
KP launched its first salted peanuts and became the first company to achieve national distribution for this popular new product. It also became famous for peanut butter!
1967
Meredith & Drew acquired by United Biscuits
1968
United Biscuits acquires KP
1973
Launch of Hula Hoops
1982
KP launches the very first Dry Roasted Peanuts
1985
Launch of McCoy’s crisps
1990
POM-BEAR introduced to the UK market for the first time
1993
Derwent Valley Foods acquired by UB
2007
Union Snack in Tanfield joins Intersnack, bringing the first US pretzels to the UK
2009
80-year-old family nut firm, Percy Dalton, joins Intersnack UK
2012
Penn State relaunched as ‘The Home of Classic American Snacks’
2013
25th January 2013
KP acquired by Intersnack
2014
Intersnack UK and KP integrate to become one KP Snacks business
2015
August 2015
New KP Nuts factory opens at Hellaby near Rotherham
2015
September 2015
KP HQ moves to Slough
2017
KP Snacks acquires Butterkist
2018
KP Snacks acquires Tyrrells and popchips
