The Cadbury Story

John Cadbury opened Bull Street shop

In 1824, our founder, John Cadbury, opened a grocery store at 93 Bull Street, Birmingham, UK. Here, among other things, he sold cocoa and drinking chocolate.

John Cadbury opens factory in Crooked Lane

The Cadbury manufacturing business started in 1831 when John Cadbury decided to start producing on a commercial scale and bought a warehouse in nearby Crooked Lane, Birmingham, UK.

Fry's produce the first chocolate bar

British company Fry and Son made a chocolate called ‘Chocolat Délicieux à Manger’ in 1847. This was the first chocolate bar as we know it today, made from a mixture of cocoa powder and sugar with a little melted cocoa butter.

First milk chocolate bar

In 1875, Swiss manufacturer, Daniel Peter, added milk to his recipe to make the first milk chocolate bar. He also used condensed milk rather than powdered milk to produce a chocolate with a superior taste and texture.

‘Modern’ chocolate

The chocolate we know and love today is thanks to a Swiss manufacturer’s invention—the conching machine—which refined chocolate, giving it a smooth texture.

Cadbury Milk Chocolate is launched

When Cadbury started making cocoa essence, there was a lot of cocoa butter left over, which was then used to make bars of chocolate.

Cadbury brings its famous Dairy Milk chocolate to South Africa

The Cadbury brothers - Richard and George - brought their chocolate brand to South Africa and appointed a sales agent to sell their products.

Cadbury Dairy Milk is launched

In 1904, George Cadbury Jnr was given the challenge to develop a milk chocolate bar with more milk than anything else on the market. A customer’s daughter in the UK suggested the name ‘Dairy Milk’, and Cadbury Dairy Milk was launched in June 1905.

First Cadbury logo commissioned

The first Cadbury logo was designed by Georges Auriol, the same designer who created the iconic Paris Metro signage. The logo was an image of a stylised cocoa tree interwoven with the Cadbury name.

Cadbury Dairy Milk goes purple

At its launch in 1905, Cadbury Dairy Milk packaging was originally pale mauve with red script in a continental style ‘parcel wrap’. The full Dairy Milk range became purple and gold in 1920.

Cadbury script logo first appears

The Cadbury script logo, based on the signature of William Cadbury, appeared first on the Cadbury company’s transport fleet in 1921.

Cadbury gets going in South Africa

The South African arm of Cadbury was formed with the construction of the Port Elizabeth factory commencing in 1930. Today, the PE manufacturing plant is the heart of local business, employing a large number of the community.

The 'glass and a half' symbol is introduced

The ‘glass and a half’ symbol was originally used in 1928 in the press and on posters. Since then, it’s been used in TV ads and on wrapper designs. Initially only used on Cadbury Dairy Milk, it’s become one of the key brand icons.

Investment in Cadbury Dairy Milk ads begins

In 1928 Cadbury started advertising its high milk content. A series of poster campaigns using the iconic ‘glass and a half’ measure of milk also launched at this time.

Flake is launched in South Africa

A Cadbury employee in the UK noticed that, when the excess from chocolate moulds was drained off, it fell in a stream and created a delicious, light, flaky, folded chocolate. Flake, the ‘crumbliest flakiest chocolate’ developed in the UK in 1920 - launched locally in 1928.

The original Cadbury factory is completed in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

With the factory completed, the first moulded chocolate slabs started to roll off the production lines. The first chocolates produced where ½ lb, ¼ lb, and 2 oz Milk, Nut Milk, Milk Fruit, Nut Brazil, Fruit & Nut and Bournville.

The factory expands.

The factory expansion included a new laboratory and an engineer’s office. At this time the factory also started producing the highly successful Flake chocolate, which would soon become one of South Africa’s favourites.

Crunchie is launched

Originally developed in the UK in the 1920’s, Crunchie was launched in South Africa in 1960.

Lunch Bar is launched

A local favourite, Lunch Bar, was developed and launched as a fill-me-up sweet snack that offers MUCH, MUCH MORE! The iconic Lunch Bar ‘Makhathini’ TV ad was later launched in 1990.

Expansion continues.

The factory continued to grow throughout the 1960’s, leading to improvements in productivity.

A new landmark.

The 1970’s saw the need for further expansion. A new Raw Materials store and more crumb silos were added. The silos became a landmark in the area until the late 90’s.

Chomp is launched

Chomp, perhaps one of the most iconic local chocolates, was created in the early 1970’s and remains one of South Africa’s favourite snacks.

Innovation and Equality.

In the 80’s, limited access to international technology forced Cadbury to adopt a culture of pioneering innovation. At the same time, the embedded culture of equality at Cadbury meant that people of all races were able to secure first-line management positions, creating equal opportunity for all.

Snacker sets the trend

Leading the way in innovation, Cadbury launched Snacker in 1980 as one of South Africa’s first mainstream cereal bars. This placed Cadbury way ahead of the health trends that followed.

Tempo is launched

Launched in 1983, Tempo is another uniquely South African favourite featuring an equally unique tagline: ‘Tempo: you can feel it in your feet!’

Astros is launched

Astros was created to delight a new generation of South African consumers. It launched in 1995 and quickly joined the ranks of Cadbury’s best loved brands.

Say it with P.S.

Cadbury P.S. was created and launched in South Africa as the first messaging bar. This allowed everyone to say more by sharing chocolate bars with heartfelt messages on the wrapper.

Tumbles is introduced

Tumbles was originally launched in a bright yellow pack and was soon relaunched in the iconic Cadbury purple.

The Cadbury Dairy Milk Gorilla advert premieres

Arguably the first ever viral TV ad, ‘Gorilla’ showed the iconic primate enthusiastically playing the drums along to the Phil Collins song ‘In the Air Tonight’.

The Cadbury Dairy Milk Bubbly is launched

Floating cows and a burst of bubbles launched Cadbury Dairy Milk Bubbly in August 2012. The new aerated offering came in a unique mould shape with soft, melt in your mouth, round chocolate bubbles. This delivered a smoother, lighter and creamier taste.

The Cadbury Dairy Milk new look is launched

In June 2013, Cadbury Dairy Milk introduced its new packaging, helping drive the essence of Joy. New icons representing each flavour of the Cadbury Dairy Milk range come to life in a fresh and fun way.

Bundles of Joy

In 2014, a set of triplets in the womb sang and danced in unison, while their mother ate a Cadbury Dairy Milk slab. This TV ad showcased irrepressible Joy in a truly unique way. The public named the triplets with the most joyful names: Thabiso, Intokozo and Gcobani. Simultaneously, the Little Book of Joy, South Africa’s first baby naming book was published as part of the campaign ...

Marvellous Creations is launched

Launched in 2015, Marvellous Creations broke the mould with its uniquely shaped blocks and out-of-the-ordinary ingredients. This became an ideal family sharing treat.

Cadbury 5Star arrives

5Star was revealed to thousands of music fans at a music concert in Ballito and shared a full-on chocolatey, caramelly, chewylicious taste experience. The unique craving that you get from this crunchy chocolate still inspires young South Africans to liberate their senses as they get lost in the taste.

Cadbury Bubbly becomes Wonderfilled

Cadbury Dairy Milk Bubbly and Oreo biscuits came together combining Joy and wonder in the most delicious way with the launch of the new Bubbly Oreo. Following on from this delicious innovation, Cadbury got its hands even deeper into the cookie jar to offer consumers Cadbury chocolate covered Oreo, Cadbury Breakaway and Cadbury Fingers.