Our History

1921

Origins in Covent Garden

Underwood & Barker Ltd is founded at Monmouth Street in Covent Garden as a manufacturing chemist. The company creates essences, flavourings and perfumery for London hotels—scenting air systems long before air conditioning existed.

1946

A New Steward, A New Start

After the war, Felix Rothon worked for a company called Drake-Law Laboratories. Tough times followed in the Post-war years and using his redundancy funds, he acquired Underwood & Barker with nothing but a car and determination, he sets about building a strong business.

1947

The ‘Custard King’ Era

Felix’s daily train journeys from Billericay to London see Felix see him carry a distinct vanilla scent with him, earning him the nickname “Custard King.” from his fellow commuters!

1948

From Covent Garden to Billericay

Felix moves production to a small modular factory in Billericay — the first of its kind built from interlocking brick panels. Chemist Bill McGee relocates and begins developing the core flavour range.

Mid 1950's

The company continues to grow as members of Felix's family come along to join the emerging business. He is joined by his sister Dulcie (accounts) and brother Roy (deliveries) along with his wife Joan (office)

Late 1950's

Deliveries are carried out by Austin Somerset an a Red Commer van bringing flavours to customers across the South East of England.

1959

Arthur Lock and Felix were onsite with Phillip Lockwood at the new Lockwood factory when the first boiler was delivered, and the company went on to develop the flavours behind all the nations private lable and own label baked beans.

1960's

From Perfumery to Pantry

Demand for food flavourings begins to outpace perfumery products. Unbar Rothon now supplies mint essence for Britain’s canned peas and potoatoes creating, and further develooing the signature flavour profiles behind the nation’s baked beans.

Early 1970s

The next generation join the fold

Bill Rothon (left) joins the business in ??? and his younger brother Patrick (right) arrives in 1971 having been employed by Marconi as an instrument manufacturer. Together with their father Felix (centre) their hands-on technical support for canneries and processors becomes a defining strength in growing the business and its relationships.

Mid 1970s

The company continue to expand, seeking new markets and the family business gain a well established reputation within the industry for quality

Late 1970's

Sausages, service and speed

Colin Mossman, an experienced salesman in the world of meat products joins the business and Unbar Rothon's  range of sausage seasonings expand rapidly.

Service becomes legendary, focussed on reducing lead time to support its customers. Directors are often called into helping to deliver urgent orders overnight.

6 October 1978

Becoming Unbar Rothon

Following 30 years of Rothon ownership, Felix Rothon decided the time was right to change from Underwood & Barker to Unbar Rothon. The “Unbar” prefix (Underwood + Barker) is retained, while adding the distinctive family name cements a new identity.

1980

Expansion at Radford Crescent

The company purchases 15 Radford Crescent from GEC Estates to solve warehousing bottlenecks, marking its first major growth phase. Seasoning and packing services move into the new facility at No. 7 Radford Crescent.

1980's

Unbar Rothon receives a Rebranding

Designer Wayne Belsham introduces the green laurel logo and campaigns such as “Best of British” and “Success on Your Plate.”

1986

Digital Transformation

From the introduction of Apricot Xi computers to networked systems, the business modernises its back office without losing its personal touch, as the world moves into the Digital era.

21st October 1991

Unbar Rothon being presented with certification of their 5750 standard under BSI. Pictured (L-R) are Patrick Rothon, Patricia Rawlings MEP, Bill Rothon, Felix Rothon.

1990s

Exporting is the ‘Icing on the Cake’

Exports grow to a quarter of turnover, supplying Malta, Africa and Italian canneries serving UK retail. The core focus remains home-trade food manufacturing.

1996

A New Home at 2–4 Radford Crescent

Unbar Rothon acquires the former Littlejohn’s (Hunter Penrose) engineering site. Felix lives to see the modern factory before his passing in 1998.

1998

Passing of Felix Rothon

Sadly, Felix passes away on XXth XXX 1998 and Bill and Patrick take over running of the business

2000's

Resilience and Reform

Changes within the industry on technical requirements see Unbar Rothon introducing rigorous testing and traceability standards—building the robust quality systems seen today.

2006

Third Generation of the Rothon family

Richard Rothon, grandson of Felix joins the business. The fundamental principle Felix helps develop the Billericay industrial estate himself. Deals are done on handshakes—his phrase “An Englishman’s word is his bond” still defines the company ethic.

Today

The business continues to thrive as it embraces modern day business practices alongside its reputation as one of the countries leading seasoning houses.

Changes in technology and technical requirements mean that Unbar Rothon fulfils the role as a partner for its long-standing customers in a challenging marketplace