Timeline

Expansion to Barton Stacey

2019-10-30T09:27:56+00:00Categories: Timeline|

A site was acquired at Barton Stacey in Hampshire. Existing production lines and installation of new equipment to the site would be gradual in order to maintain continuity of supply to our customers.

First Distributor appointed

2019-10-30T09:27:05+00:00Categories: Timeline|

Business quickly expanded overseas and led to the appointment of our first Distributor – Tanemura & Co Ltd, a food ingredients family owned business founded in 1921 and based in Tokyo. Mr Tanemura and Lionel Hitchen had previously conducted business when Lionel worked for Stafford Allen.

Lionel Hitchen (Essential Oils) Ltd founded

2019-09-10T12:21:38+01:00Categories: Timeline|

Lionel Hitchen established the business on the 19th February 1965 in Reigate, Surrey. Sicilian orange, mandarin and bergamot oil speciality products were the first to be manufactured. From the outset Lionel’s ambition was to produce high quality products, sourced and supplied with integrity.

Lionel went to work for Stafford Allen & Sons, Ltd.

2022-04-13T17:15:57+01:00Categories: Timeline|

As a result of these friendships, in 1949 Lionel went to work for Stafford Allen & Sons, Ltd. Lionel also became a director of the San Lorenzo citrus fruit processing company in Sicily. After the merger of the Bush, Boake and Allen businesses in 1964, Lionel would go on to found Lionel Hitchen (Essential Oils) Limited.

Lionel Hitchen was born

2019-10-30T09:25:42+00:00Categories: Timeline|

Born in 1914,  Lionel Hitchen was the eldest of four boys growing up in Sutton in South London. Whilst in Sicily during WW2, Lionel made great friends with Roger Allen whose family owned Stafford & Allen, and Dr Pietro Polara, who would later establish the San Lorenzo company.