Preston Covered Market 1934. Grandmother Duillia Singleton and Great Grandparents Robert and Duillia Singleton of Singleton's Dairy, Longridge. Singleton’s Dairy was established in 1934 by Robert and Duillia Singleton, building upon a family cheesemaking tradition dating back to the eighteenth century. Duillia, widely known as Grandma Singleton, developed the business using traditional Lancashire cheesemaking techniques. What began as a relatively small operation grew into a significant producer of artisan cheese, based in Longridge. The company developed an international market, exporting its cheeses to more than 30 countries. However, the original family business entered administration in August 2022, with the loss of dozens of jobs. In December that year, fellow Lancashire cheesemaker Carron Lodge acquired its premises and brands, including Grandma Singleton’s. Production of that cheese was subsequently transferred to Carron Lodge’s Inglewhite farm, while the former Longridge dairy was developed for soft-cheese productionplaceholder image
Preston Covered Market 1934. Grandmother Duillia Singleton and Great Grandparents Robert and Duillia Singleton of Singleton's Dairy, Longridge. Singleton’s Dairy was established in 1934 by Robert and Duillia Singleton, building upon a family cheesemaking tradition dating back to the eighteenth century. Duillia, widely known as Grandma Singleton, developed the business using traditional Lancashire cheesemaking techniques. What began as a relatively small operation grew into a significant producer of artisan cheese, based in Longridge. The company developed an international market, exporting its cheeses to more than 30 countries. However, the original family business entered administration in August 2022, with the loss of dozens of jobs. In December that year, fellow Lancashire cheesemaker Carron Lodge acquired its premises and brands, including Grandma Singleton’s. Production of that cheese was subsequently transferred to Carron Lodge’s Inglewhite farm, while the former Longridge dairy was developed for soft-cheese production | Contributed

Famous Lancashire brands 2: The stories behind Warburtons, Heinz and Leyland Trucks

By James Reader
Published 29th Sep 2026, 11:44 GMT
Updated 29th Sep 2026, 11:51 GMT

Lancashire's manufacturing heritage can be found in almost every corner of everyday life, from the bread on our breakfast tables to the trucks on Britain's roads.

From the bread on our breakfast tables to the trucks on Britain's roads, Lancashire's manufacturing heritage can be found in almost every corner of everyday life.

The county has produced pioneering businesses, household names and internationally recognised products. Some have remained in the hands of the families who founded them, while others have become part of multinational companies. And although the factories, owners and products may have changed over the decades, their Lancashire connections remain an important part of their histories.

In Part 1 of our celebration of famous Lancashire brands, we explored the stories behind some of the county's best-loved food and drink names. Here, we broaden our horizons to include engineering, sportswear, paints and household products, alongside more familiar names from the food industry, and discover how Lancashire businesses have made their mark around the world.

An undated photo of quilting in the Silentnight factory in Barnoldswick

13. Silentnight

An undated photo of quilting in the Silentnight factory in Barnoldswick | Other 3rd Party

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Prime Minister David Cameron during his visit to Silentnight Beds in Barnoldswick in 2014

14. Silentnight

Prime Minister David Cameron during his visit to Silentnight Beds in Barnoldswick in 2014 | Johnston Press

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The origins of Leyland Trucks date to 1896, when James Sumner and Henry Spurrier established the Lancashire Steam Motor Company in Leyland. Their first product was a steam-powered van capable of carrying one and a half tonnes. The company quickly developed a reputation for commercial vehicle manufacturing and subsequently expanded into buses, petrol-powered vehicles and military transport. It adopted the name Leyland Motors in 1907. Leyland became one of Britain’s major vehicle manufacturers during the twentieth century, producing numerous well-known models of buses and trucks. Following industrial restructuring and changes of ownership, Leyland Trucks became part of the American PACCAR group in 1998. The company continues to manufacture DAF trucks at its Leyland factory. In August 2026, it celebrated 130 years of manufacturing, reporting annual production of more than 15,000 trucks and a workforce of approximately 1,000

15. Leyland Trucks

The origins of Leyland Trucks date to 1896, when James Sumner and Henry Spurrier established the Lancashire Steam Motor Company in Leyland. Their first product was a steam-powered van capable of carrying one and a half tonnes. The company quickly developed a reputation for commercial vehicle manufacturing and subsequently expanded into buses, petrol-powered vehicles and military transport. It adopted the name Leyland Motors in 1907. Leyland became one of Britain’s major vehicle manufacturers during the twentieth century, producing numerous well-known models of buses and trucks. Following industrial restructuring and changes of ownership, Leyland Trucks became part of the American PACCAR group in 1998. The company continues to manufacture DAF trucks at its Leyland factory. In August 2026, it celebrated 130 years of manufacturing, reporting annual production of more than 15,000 trucks and a workforce of approximately 1,000 | Staff

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Prime Minister Gordon Brown visiting Leyland Trucks, Croston Road, Farrington Moss in 2009

16. Leyland Trucks

Prime Minister Gordon Brown visiting Leyland Trucks, Croston Road, Farrington Moss in 2009 | Staff

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