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

dog biscuit A dog biscuit, also called a dog treat, 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, often sold in a flat bone-shape. The dry and hard biscuit texture ...

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 A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertis ...

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 Patent built their first oven in 1870 at the old

London Armoury Company The London Armoury Company was a London arms manufactory that existed from 1856 until 1866. It was the major arms supplier to the Confederate States of America, Confederacy during the U.S. Civil War. The same company name was used during World ...

factory in 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, three travelling salesmen (including Wingrove) and three clerks. For 20 years he represented the firm both on the road and in the market, becoming the General Manager c. 1890. By 1896, Spratt's had between 500 and 600 workmen, and scores of travellers and clerks. At the time of Wingrove's death at home in

Banstead Banstead is a town in the borough of Reigate and Banstead in Surrey, England. It is south of Sutton, London, Sutton, south-west of Croydon, north of Reigate, south-east of Kingston-upon-Thames, and south of Central London. On the North Dow ...

Surrey Surrey () is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South East England. It is bordered by Greater London to the northeast, Kent to the east, East Sussex, East and West Sussex to the south, and Hampshire and Berkshire to the wes ...

, he was chairman and managing director of the company. He was also chairman of Messrs. Braschkaner and Co Ltd. , the London Corn Exchange and several other companies. He was 67 years old, and was survived by a widow, two sons, and a daughter. Wingrove oversaw 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 horsepower 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 in Poplar is a well-preserved site with about 150 live-work units called the Spratt's Complex. 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 artists and creatives have lived in the building over the years, including John Copnall,John Copnall: obituary
by Simon Fenwick, ''Guardian'', 12 July 2007 Michael Green,

Newton Faulkner Sam Newton Battenberg Faulkner (born 11 January 1985) is an English singer-songwriter and musician from Reigate, Surrey. He is known for his percussive style of guitar playing. In 2007 Faulkner's debut studio album ''Hand Built by Robots'' was ce ...

, Debbie Bragg, Ian Berry, and Roger Law of

Spitting Image ''Spitting Image'' is a British satirical television puppet show, created by Peter Fluck, Roger Law and Martin Lambie-Nairn. First broadcast in 1984, the series was produced by 'Spitting Image Productions' for Central Independent Television ...

fame.

References

External links

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