From the Past

In 1872, Fred Duerr, aged 24, married Mary Eva Naylor, aged 16. In her small kitchen in Heywood, north Manchester, Mary made jams and marmalades for her husband, family and friends to enjoy. Her reputation for quality was well known within the locality. Fred, originally a leather dresser by trade, was moving up the career ladder, and had just started to work as a grocery commission agent. In 1881, Fred met 'honest’ John Butterworth, the buyer from the Heywood Co-operative Society, who was experiencing difficulty obtaining jams of high quality. The buyer had heard of Mary’s jams, and asked if Fred would consider supplying his society. From that chance meeting the family business was born. At first, Mary did all the cooking in the family kitchen, and Fred delivered the jams to the Heywood Co-op in a handcart. Business flourished as demand grew, until manufacturing premises were required. Fred purchased a small factory in Guide Bridge, Manchester and joined his young wife in the full time production of preserves. In 1890, Duerr’s manufacturing levels outgrew their Guide Bridge premises, and Fred commissioned a purpose built factory on Prestage Street, Old Trafford, the site the company still occupies today.

To The Future

Innovation and quality have always been the cornerstone of Duerr’s philosophy. Duerr’s pioneered vacuum sealing in 1905, while many competitors were still using cardboard caps and paper tissue well into the 1950s! The company managed to survive two world wars and the depression, and continued to grow from strength to strength. In 1989, the company diversified from their mainstream jam and marmalade production by entering into the peanut butter market. A new purpose built peanut butter production line was installed, and Duerr’s started to supply the major multiples with crunchy and smooth varieties under their own label and the Duerr’s brand. Duerr’s also commenced manufacturing Whole Earth peanut butter, which has grown in volume to become the second most popular brand on the UK market.

In 1991 Duerr’s were the first company to use tamper evident ‘button caps’ and shrink sleeving on their range of products. In 1996 the company invested in a new warehouse and second production site in Wythenshawe to cope with the ever increasing demands for storage and production. The 70,000 sq ft site houses all raw materials, together with finished products. In 1997, Duerr’s completed the installation of a specialist production line at this site in order to satisfy demand for a new range of jams in which more whole fruit pieces were retained in the finished product. Duerr’s market share has steadily increased over the years as the company’s reputation for quality products has grown from strength to strength. Today, Duerr’s products can be found all over the world, as the company exports to over 30 different countries. Duerr’s remains very much a family business, and a member of the Duerr family has sat at the helm of the company since its inception. This has ensured that the traditions so lovingly begun by Mary are adhered to today, with the emphasis on quality ingredients, innovation and manufacturing excellence.