1878

Henry Tate's Thames Refinery opened its doors in 1878, by the docks in East London, well placed for the supply of raw sugar.

1880s

Work at the factory was all done by gas lighting, supplied by steam boilers. The eletric motor did not appear in Thames until 1905.

1890s

The refinery in 1894 employed around 2,000 people and occupied 36,000 sqm.

1900s

A Thames refinery employee, Hamilton, was known for being always cheerful.

1900s

Sugar was moved within the refinery by horse-drawn carts up until 1954.

1910s

Looked upon as a good employer, Thames attracted several generations of families. Pictured here, is Miss Morgan.

1920s

The refinery celebrating the nearby King George V dock opening in July 1921. That same year, Tate and Lyle merged businesses.

1930s

Before the 1030s, sugar was weighed by the grocer for each customer. Tate & Lyle Sugars started printing their logo on paper packets. The creation of a recognizable brand was a major innovation.

1940s

The refinery stayed opened during the war, and hosted 123 workers and their families who lost their homes to bombing.

1950s

The delivery of a crane in March 1950 was part of a big transformation from bagged to bulk raw sugar, reducing man hours by 70%.

1970s

With the Equal Pay campaign, women were able to get time in lieu like the men.

1980s

By 1981, most of the factories around the docks had closed. Tate & Lyle Sugars was one of the few that remained. 

1990s

A factory line of the caster sugar packing, which gradually became more machanised.

2000s

An aerial view of the Thames factory, which remains the largest sugar refinery in Europe.

2008

Twelve years ago, the refinery was honored by a visit from Her Majesty The Queen.

2018

140 years on, in the same factory, we're still as passionate about making great quality sugar.