Anyone for Ovaltine?

We went to visit my sister today who lives in Kings Langley and I grabbed this quick shot as we drove past the lovely art deco building.  Below is a bit of history about the factory if you're interested.

In 1913 a small factory was built to manufacture Ovaltine in Kings Langley and had a workforce of just thirteen. The business expanded rapidly throughout the 1920s and by the end of the decade the factory was extended to its present size. One reason Kings Langley was chosen as the site for the factory was because of its proximity to the Grand Union Canal where narrow boats could deliver the coal needed for  the factory boilers and the finished product delivered to London and the docks for export.


Originally, Ovaltine was marketed as an energy booster but later the advertising would highlight Ovaltine’s ability to relax the drinker as it was caffeine-free, making it the perfect bedtime drink.


The most famous Ovaltine marketing campaign was ‘The Ovaltineys Show’, which had one of the most successful jingles of the era. It was broadcast on the radio every Sunday evening at 5.30pm at a time when few people had televisions, and radio was an all-important medium with huge audiences.


Production in the factory ceased in 2002, and it has now been redeveloped as luxury apartments.