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The Story of Eric Twigg & the Family Business He Built
Eric Twigg Foods has been a cornerstone of the South Yorkshire food distribution industry for nearly six decades. Today, the business is proudly led by Matthew Twigg, Eric’s son and Managing Director, who has been involved since 1989. He continues to uphold his father’s core values of integrity, dedication, and lasting relationships.
“Dad was a hardworking man who everyone loved,” says Matthew. “He had a great relationship with employees, customers, and suppliers – many of whom are now lifelong friends. We still strive to maintain that spirit today.”
Eric Twigg sadly passed away in 2022 at the age of 78, following a well-earned and fulfilling retirement. His influence, however, remains deeply woven into the fabric of the company.
From Humble Beginnings to Regional Success
Back in 1966, Eric was made redundant from his job at mail order firm Graves. Inspired by a former colleague who had started selling fresh chickens to butchers — and who had quickly acquired a sports car — Eric asked himself, “How hard can it be?”
At just 23, Eric ventured into the food business, selling fresh chickens door to door. His first week? Not exactly a hit.“I only sold five chickens. I drove from Rotherham to Chesterfield to collect them, and the fuel cost more than I made in profit!”
But Eric persevered, adapting to Britain’s growing appetite for cooked chicken. He began quartering and delivering them to fish and chip shops — a novelty at the time, before pub food and takeaways became mainstream.
When rising chicken prices started squeezing his margins, Eric looked for new opportunities. That’s when pies came into the picture.
A Partnership That Made History
Eric approached the young Leicestershire company Pukka Pies, pitching the idea of becoming a distributor for Yorkshire. At first, they declined — they only delivered directly. But thanks to a loyal customer who spoke on his behalf, Pukka eventually gave Eric a chance. He became their first-ever distributor.
Almost 60 years later, Eric Twigg Foods still proudly distributes a significant share of the 100 million pies Pukka produces annually, supplying football clubs, takeaways, and fast-food outlets across the region.
As tastes have evolved, so too has the company. Today, the product range includes kebabs, desserts, patisserie, curry sauces, packaging, and catering equipment — a far cry from those early days of chickens and pies.
Innovation & Grit Through the Decades
Eric was always ahead of his time. He introduced chip shop curry sauce to South Yorkshire after acquiring a special processing machine and secret recipe from a Chinese businessman on the East Coast.
He even diversified into baking pikelets and oatcakes, supplying local bakeries — though it meant starting at 2am to make 6am dispatches.
As the business grew, so did the team. Eric added cold storage, expanded premises, and hired staff to keep up with demand. And yet, the family ethos remained strong — in 60 years, no employee has ever been made redundant, something Eric and Matthew take immense pride in.
“I lived hand to mouth, and sleep was a rarity,” Eric once said. “I’d fall asleep at work or have to pull over every few miles when taking the kids to our caravan. It could take hours just to get to the coast!”
Milestones & Memories
In 1995, the company moved to its current site on Aldwarke Road in Parkgate, Rotherham — a move that allowed for significant growth. By then, Matthew had already joined the business and was taking on more responsibility.
“I was never particularly good with paperwork,” Eric admitted with a grin. “I was too busy doing the deliveries — my record was 91 in one day, and that was before sat navs or mobile phones!”
The journey wasn’t always easy. The business weathered challenges like the Three Day Week in 1974, the 1984 Miners’ Strike, BSE, and the Horsemeat Scandal. Through it all, Eric’s grit and unwavering standards guided the business forward.
“It’s been hard work, but I’ve had a lot of fun,” Eric said during his 50th business anniversary in 2016. “My philosophy? Work like hell while you’re young and hopefully live long enough to enjoy retirement.”
The Legacy Lives On
Today, Eric Twigg Foods stands as a testament to one man’s vision, tenacity, and heart. The company continues to grow under Matthew’s leadership, guided by the same values that Eric built it on: customer service, quality, and relationships that last a lifetime.
“If we had to make deliveries on foot because of snow, we did,” Eric recalled. “We never let our customers down – and that’s one thing that’s remained constant for over the years.”
Eric Twigg’s story is not just about food – it’s about resilience, family, and the belief that hard work and good people can build something truly lasting.