Company History

1843
Commenced trading as Baker Wardell Tea Merchant.

1905
Baker Wardell, re-named Irish Tea Merchants (ITM).

1971
Irish Tea Merchants acquired Robert Roberts and opened up new marketing opportunities for the company and diversified into other markets.

1972
The company acquired the KP nuts and snack foods agency for Ireland. Today KP is the leading nuts and snack foods brand in the Irish market.

1976
Irish Tea Merchants signed Distribution Agreement with United Biscuits

1982
The company acquired the Lemons’s brand name and subsequently became a significant independent distributor of confectionery products in the intervening years.

1986
I.T.M. company name was changed to Wardell Roberts plc. A USM listing on the stock exchange was obtained and a major expansion programme followed

1988
The company acquired Woodford Bourne Ltd. a leading independent wine and spirits distributor bringing many international brands to the company.

1989
Robert Roberts became the trading name of the company. This decision was prompted by the consistent growth of their branded products and the quality promise associated with the brand name.

1996
This was followed up with the acquisition of the wholesale division of Mitchell wines. Today the company has significant presence as a leading independent marketing and distribution organization in the wine and spirits sector.

1999
Employment reaches 194 and the image and performance of our tea and coffee continues to grow from strength to strength.

2000
Robert Roberts takes on the distribution of the brand leading Robinson dilutes, a business we have since given up as Robinsons purchased the Mi Wadi brand and Irish business in 2007.

2005
McVities Cakes are added to the range and takes the company into a new product category.
We introduced Pomegreat Fruit Juice, which has gone on to become the No. 1 super fruit juice brand in the Irish market.

2007
Sacla Italia, the premium authentic Italian food brand joined the portfolio

2008
Merge with Findlater Grants, our Wine Division became Findlater Wine & Spirit Group. Two strong additions to our Confectionery Range, Ritter, a leading European chocolate brand and Robert Roberts purchased the Wilton Candy Brand famous for it’s Macaroon bars.

2010
The company purchased the leading Irish brands Goodalls and YR Sauces.

2011
The company commenced selling Goodalls and YR Sauce and Swizzels confectionery.