1824 John Cadbury opens his first shop
1831 John Cadbury moves into manufacturing
1847 Cadbury rents larger Bridge Street factory
1861 Richard and George Cadbury take over
1866 Cocoa Essence first produced
1879 Production begins at Bournville factory
1893 George Cadbury buys more land at Bournville
1897 Launch of first Cadbury milk chocolate
1905 Cadbury Dairy Milk launched
1915 Milk Tray launched
1919 Merger with J.S. Fry & Sons Limited
1921 First overseas factory opened
1939 Second World War begins
1955 Cadbury move into TV advertising
1969 Cadbury merged with Schweppes
2003 The worlds No 1 confectionery company
2008 Cadbury and Schweppes demerged
John Cadbury opened a grocer’s shop in Bull Street, a fashionable part of Birmingham. Goods include cocoa and drinking chocolate.
John Cadbury moved into manufacturing, renting a small factory in Crooked Lane, Birmingham, to make cocoa and drinking chocolate.
1847
With business booming, a larger factory was rented in the centre of Birmingham on Bridge Street.
1861
Richard and George Cadbury took over the business from their father John who was in poor health. They were aged just 25 and 21.
1866
The brothers launched Cocoa Essence after George bought a revolutionary cocoa press from Dutch manufacturer van Houten.
1879
Production began at the new ‘factory in a garden’ in the countryside at a greenfield site, four miles outside Birmingham, which they named Bournville.
1893
George Cadbury bought more land in Bournville in order to build a ‘model village’ for industrial workers.
1897
Cadbury launched its first milk chocolate for eating ,created by adding dried milk powder to cocoa solids, cocoa butter and sugar.
1905
Cadbury Dairy Milk was launched to compete against the leading brands of Swiss milk chocolate.
1915
Milk Tray was launched in this year: a stylish but no-frills box of chocolates for every day eating.
1919
Cadbury merged with J.S. Fry & Sons Limited in order for both companies to compete against Rowntree.
1921
Cadbury opened their first overseas factory in Hobart, Tasmania, followed by New Zealand in 1930.
1939
The Second World War begins, rationing is enforced and the making of chocolate and cocoa comes under Government control.
1955
Cadbury move into TV advertising on the launch night of commercial television on September 22nd 1955.
1969
Cadbury merged with Schweppes in order to give better value to the customer, boost its Foods arm and gain the resources to enter international markets.
2003
Cadbury becomes the world's No 1 confectionery company after buying up various chewing gum brands, such as Trident and Stride
2008
Cadbury and Schweppes demerged, splitting its confectionery and drinks business.