This year marks a significant milestone for Matthew Walker Puddings as the company celebrates its 125th anniversary as the world's oldest Christmas pudding manufacturer. Founded in the 1880s, Matthew Walker began making puddings based on his mother's recipes, which led to the official registration of the company in 1899. Today, Matthew Walker Puddings, based in Heanor, Derbyshire, is responsible for producing 97% of all Christmas puddings sold in the UK.

A History of Dedication and Growth

From humble beginnings, Matthew Walker’s dedication to perfecting his mother's recipes has led to the company's current success. By the 1960s, Matthew Walker had become a household name in the UK for Christmas puddings and relocated to Heanor. The company was acquired by Valeo Foods Group in 2019. Today, the factory produces 20,000 puddings per hour during peak production in October and November. The factory produces 17 million Christmas-related puddings and 25 million puddings annually, including sponge puddings.

A Global Reach

Matthew Walker puddings are enjoyed not only in the UK, but also exported to the USA, Australia, and New Zealand. Each year the company sells around 25 million puddings across the globe. The ingredients used are substantial, including the equivalent of 10 Olympic swimming pools of alcohol, 1,784 tonnes of vine fruit, and 68,592 kilograms of nuts. This Christmas, the company produced 15.3 million fruited Christmas sponges and 2.1 million Christmas sponges.

A Testament to Teamwork

The 125th-anniversary celebration included a special plaque unveiling ceremony, performed by Derbyshire's Lord Lieutenant, Elizabeth Fothergill, and the Mayor of Heanor, Paul Jones. Workers gathered in the factory canteen to commemorate the occasion, with Kevin Moore, chief executive of Valeo Foods UK, expressing his gratitude to the team, noting that the moment belongs to the workers who, along with generations of colleagues, have shown up every day committed to ensuring every product reflects 125 years of hard work and dedication. The factory has a family-like culture with many employees having served for upwards of 40 years.

A Community Connection

The factory is an integral part of the local community, so much so that there is an annual 10km pudding run, which attracts over 1,200 runners. Matthew Walker works closely with customers, with each one having an input into their preferred pudding recipe. The basic principle of a Christmas pudding is allowing that moisture to create that beautiful balance of flavour between the alcohol and pudding mix.

Looking to the Future

As Matthew Walker Puddings celebrates its 125th anniversary, the company remains committed to upholding the tradition of creating premium, delicious puddings that have become an integral part of British Christmas celebrations. The company continues to adapt to changing consumer preferences, with shoppers now preferring lighter puddings with an element of fruit. Matthew Walker's continues to be a major part of the Christmas season, working tirelessly to get ahead of the yearly demand.