1969
Farepak Hampers becomes a subsidiary of John Manson, the retail butcher chain. Bob Johnson, founder of Kleeneze plc, is appointed Managing Director of this small Christmas savings club with 500 agents operating from a butcher shop in Peckham. The origins of Farepak Hampers date back to 1935, when Smithfield Market was the centre of the meat trade. |  |  |
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1970s
Farepak evolves into the premier hamper group in the UK, selling fresh and frozen meat hampers. | |
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1981
An integrated warehouse, freezer and butchery facility is built on a greenfield site in Swindon to handle Farepak's growth. This becomes the HQ of the business.
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1983
The traditional food range is expanded to include gifts and shopping vouchers. | |
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1984
Farepak splits from John Manson to develop as a standalone business. | | |
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1986
Commencement of the Home Farm joint venture with Fine Art (now Findel plc). | |
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1990
Purchase of Tranfood, the cooked meats food processor. | |
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1993
Initial Public Offering - Farepak plc is admitted to the London Stock Exchange and becomes a FTSE quoted company. | |
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1995
Purchase of Kleeneze Homecare (now Kleeneze UK), the direct retailer of homewares, operating since 1923 from its site in Bristol. | |
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Late 1990s
Major operational improvements and expansion at Kleeneze UK, including the launch of several new catalogues including: Kleeneze Plus and Kleeneze Health & Beauty; 24 hr delivery to distributors; internet ordering and instant credit. | |  |
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1999
Company name changes from Farepak plc to Kleeneze plc to reflect the strategic shift from the origins of the business, in meat products and processing, to direct retailing. | | |
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2000
Purchase of DMG, comprising Dealerfield and Colour Library Direct. | | |
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2001
Bob Johnson, founder and Chairman, dies aged 60. He leaves a business that has grown from humble origins to a £200m operation with over 80,000 agents and distributors and millions of customers. | |  |
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2002
Divestment of the non-core Tranfood business. | |
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2003
Retail sales at Kleeneze UK top £100m - threefold growth from acquisition.
Major new site purchased in Bristol to provide the increased capacity necessary for future growth.
Purchase of Goodway Hampers.
Divestment of DMG. | |
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2004
Purchase of I Want One of Those.com, the leading gifts and gadgets e-tailer.
Joint venture established with John Mills Limited to launch eeZee tv, Kleeneze's TV shopping channel. | |  |
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