1950
The company was originally established by the Stanton family trading out of the famous Smithfield meat market in central London. Initially established as the Direct Table Produce Company Limited it specialised in selling poultry, sausages and beef through their shop and van sales.
1972
In 1972 a decision was made to not only trade products but to start producing their own meat products. After looking for suitable premises they settled on a factory in Walthamstow where they could manufacture their own pre-pack meat products.
1980's
By the early 1980s Direct Table were significant bacon suppliers and became one of the first manufacturers to provide pre-packed bacon to Sainsbury's. This marked a turning point for the company, because since then they have concentrated on developing a wide variety of bacon products for the major multiples.
1984
In 1984 Direct table foods was acquired by a large public company and the capital investment that followed enabled the business to become pioneers in the supply of fixed weight packs.
1993
By 1993 the company had outgrown their factory in Walthamstow and they moved to larger premises in Cuffley, Hertfordshire.
1998
After a successful Management Buy-Out, the business acquired Lark Valley Foods of Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. Lark Valley Foods had not been trading long but had already established an excellent reputation for quality British bacon, particularly in its "Suffolk Crown" brand.
1999
The company was acquired by TiCan Amba, a Danish Slaughterhouse.
2002
The company extended the Bury St Edmunds site to double capacity with assistance from a DEFRA grant to assist with the project cost.
2003
As of September 2003 the company was renamed Direct Table Foods Limited a wholly owned subsidiary of TiCan.
2004
On 3rd November disaster struck and the Bury St Edmunds site was destroyed by fire.
2005
A 6 acre site at Saxham Business Park has been identified for the new factory in Bury St Edmunds. The opening date for the new plant is April 2006.
2006
18th April 2006, the new site in Bury St Edmunds opened for business. Set in 6 acres on Saxham Business Park this state of the art factory replaces the one destroyed by fire in November 2004. The site was officially opened by Justin King, Chief Executive of Sainsbury's supermarket on 7th July 2006, the event was supported by our friends, customers, suppliers and local dignitaries.
2008
After 15 years of production the company bid a sad farewell to the Cuffley site. A 4000m2 extension at the Saxham site was completed, doubling production capacity, adding a new product development area and extended storage for dry goods and despatch.
2009
Things have settled following the fire, the site move and the closure of Cuffley and DTF can now concentrate on consolidating our position in the UK bacon market. 2009 is also the year that DTF became an Associate Member of the Association of Labour Providers, who have recognised the company commitment to all employees, whether contracted or temporary.