Spratt's was the world's first large-scale manufacturer of

dog biscuit A dog biscuit is a hard biscuit-based dietary supplement for dogs or other canines, similar to human snack food. Dog biscuits tend to be hard and dry. Dog biscuits may be sold in a flat bone-shape. The dry and hard biscuit texture helps clean t ...

s. The company successfully promoted their array of products for dogs and other domestic animals through the astute use of snob appeal. The company was the first to erect a billboard in London. Varieties of biscuits included 'Dog Cakes' (meat fibre and fish and meat), puppy biscuits in regular and with cod liver oil, 'Malt-milk' for puppies, 'Weetmeet' (which came in two versions one for large dogs and one for small dogs and puppies), 'Bonio', 'Spix', 'Ovals' in regular and mixed varieties (flavours being yeast & meat, fish, spice & cod liver oil, fibrine, and charcoal), 'Fibo' granulated kibble food, 'Rodnim' hound meal, Alsax, Speedall, as well as a tinned food variety.

British operations

Spratt's Spratt's Patent laid down their first oven in 1870 at the old London Armoury factory, at Henry-street. Shortly afterwards Stephen Wingrove (1854-1923) joined the business, Wingrove was acknowledged to be the driving force of the firm. He worked in it for over 50 years. When he joined there were 20 workers, 3 travellers (Wingrove was 1 of these salesmen) and 3 clerks. For 20 years he represented the firm both on the road and in the market and become the General Manager c. 1890. By 1896 Spratt's had between 500 and 600 workmen, scores travellers, and over clerks. At the time of Stephen Wingrove's death at home in Banstead Surrey he was chairman and managing director of the company. He was also chairman of Messrs. Braschkaner and Co Ltd. , of the London Corn Exchange and of several other companies He was 67 years of age, and survived by a widow, two sons, and a daughter. Wingrove over saw the development of Spratt's Poplar factory by 1896 it was an impressive affair "Moreover, by ingenuity and mechanical skill they have built a plant at Poplar which combines all the elements of economies. That is to say, they have conceived a scheme of things which enables them to produce a variety of articles with precisely the same machinery, and, therefore, at a minimum of cost. The total indicated horse-power of the 11 steam engines, employed is ASO. In addition to this, there are eight huge engines, having a total indicated horsepower of 100. In one way the factories at Poplar are a paradox." The former factory is located in Poplar, east London and is a well-preserved site with about 150 live-work units called the

Spratt's Complex Spratt's Complex is a housing development in Poplar, London. The former pet food factory was converted into approximately 150 live-work units beginning in 1985. This was one of the first such warehouse conversions in London. The complex is on ...

. Much of the original markings are visible on the buildings, with names painted on the DLR track-side walls, and on the small chimney visible from Morris Road. Many well known creatives have lived in the building over the years like Michael Green, Newton Faulkner, Debbie Bragg, Ian Berry, and Roger Law of Spitting Image fame.

References

External links

* {{PM20, FID=co/045417, TEXT=Documents and clippings about, NAME=Spratt's AG Dogs as pets Pet food brands 1860s establishments in England