Who Owns Twinings?
Twinings is owned by Associated British Foods plc (LSE: ABF), a British multinational food, ingredients, and retail conglomerate. ABF acquired Twinings in 1964 and the brand has remained part of the ABF portfolio ever since. ABF is majority-controlled by the Weston family. Twinings was originally founded in 1706 by Thomas Twining in London, making it one of the world's oldest continuously operating consumer brands.
Parent Company
Associated British Foods
Acquired
1964
Status
Private
Headquarters
Andover, Hampshire, UK
Who Owns Twinings?
- Parent Company: Associated British Foods
- Ownership Type: Subsidiary
- Acquisition Year: 1964
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: LSE: ABF
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Twinings | Associated British Foods | Subsidiary |
History of Twinings
- Founded: 1706
- Founders: Thomas Twining
- Acquired by Associated British Foods: 1964
Thomas Twining opened his first tea shop at 216 Strand, London in 1706, initially selling dry tea leaves at a time when tea was a luxury product in Britain. The business grew as tea consumption spread through British society during the eighteenth century.
Twinings received its first Royal Warrant from Queen Victoria in 1837 and has held a continuous Royal Warrant since that date, longer than any other company. The original shop on the Strand remains open and operating today, making it one of the longest-continuously-operating retail locations in the world.
The brand expanded internationally during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and was acquired by Associated British Foods in 1964, providing the capital and distribution infrastructure for global growth.
About Associated British Foods
Does ABF own Primark?
Yes. ABF acquired Penneys (which operates as Primark outside Ireland) in 1970. Primark is now ABF's largest single revenue contributor, with stores across Europe and the United States.
Who controls Associated British Foods?
The Weston family controls ABF through Wittington Investments, which holds approximately 55 percent of shares. This gives the family definitive voting control over the company.
What tea brand does ABF own?
ABF owns Twinings, which it acquired in 1964. Twinings is one of the world's oldest continuously operating consumer brands, founded in 1706.
- Founded: 1935
- Headquarters: London, UK
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: LSE: ABF
- Revenue: ~£20B+ (FY2025)
- Employees: ~130,000
Where Is Twinings Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Andover, Hampshire, UK
- Manufacturing / Operations: United Kingdom, Poland, India, Kenya
Twinings Sustainability & Ethics
Twinings sources its teas through Rainforest Alliance certified farms and publishes annual sustainability reports. The brand has committed to sustainable sourcing programs in key growing regions including Kenya, India, and Sri Lanka.
Where to Buy
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Twinings on AmazonCompetitors to Twinings
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tata | United Kingdom | 1837 | Market leader | Global | Unisex |
Learn More About Competitors
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Twinings competes with 1 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Associated British Foods Stock Information
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