| Schwartz History The Schwartz brand was established in 1841 by William Schwartz, the son of a German immigrant, in Halifax, Canada. William E. Schwartz, the son of the founder, was the first person in Canada to sell pure spices. Formerly only compound spices were sold such as ginger mixed with cornmeal or flour. From these early beginnings great emphasis was placed on quality and William Schwartz convinced people it was better to buy pure, top quality spices in smaller quantities than poor quality bulk. From England he imported the first bicycle with pneumatic tyres and travelled throughout Nova Scotia selling his spices. He was succeeded by his son William H.C. Schwartz who became President and Managing Director in 1924. During the 1920's the slogan was 'Say Schwartz and be Sure'. The company expanded quickly and by the 1930's was selling to over fifty countries. At the beginning of the 1950's the big 'S' trade mark was introduced and this is still the symbol customers identify with Schwartz products in store. In 1959 the Schwartz brand entered the British market where it was distributed by Jenks Brothers Foods. By 1967 a joint venture between the Canadian company WH Schwartz & Sons and Jenks Brothers Foods created Schwartz Spices UK Ltd. 1974 saw the acquisition of Jenks Brothers Ltd by R. Paterson & Sons Ltd, by whom Schwartz then became wholly owned in 1980. In 1981 the company became known as Paterson Jenks plc. An acquisition in 1984 brought the Schwartz brand into McCormick & Company, Incorporated, the world's largest producer of herbs, spices, seasonings and flavourings. Following rationalisation within the UK the McCormick branding was phased out and replaced by Schwartz. The UK based company, McCormick (UK) Ltd, is now the headquarters for the McCormick & Company Inc. operation throughout Europe. September 2000 saw the purchase by McCormick & Company Incorporated of the Ducros business in France. Ducros are the brand leader of herbs and spices in Europe. Their product ranges include herbs, spices, seasonings and dessert aids available in France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Belgium. In keeping with their strategy for expansion in Europe, McCormick & Co. Inc. completed the purchase of CM van Sillevoldt BV in November 2004. The company sells spices, herbs and seasonings under the Silvo brand in the Netherlands and the India brand in Belgium. Silvo is the market leader
in the Dutch spice and herb market. | 
