SINCE 1937

T.forrest - A Rich History

T.Forrest is a family business that can be traced back to 1937 when we began creating delicious tasty treats and snacks for our own four-legged friends.

Over our 89 year history, our family-run company has evolved and pass through five generations to become the much-loved pet food manufacturer we are today.

1937

Our Beginning

T Forrest & Sons came into the Wallbank Family when Fanny Wallbank bought T.Forrest from successful business man Tommy Forrest way back in 1937. Fanny and her children James, William, John and Mavis successfully ran the business supplying the agricultural industry as corn merchants.

1945

World War 2

World War 2 breaks and sadness hit the Wallbank family after William and John tragically die in action. It was now down to James Wallbank to take the helm. James continued trading as a corn merchant for many years and in 1953 he bought the Blackburn-based dog food manufacturer Kanox.

1973

Kanox

James’ son Malcolm starts working for the business. All his efforts were put into the Kanox Brand and T.Forrest stopped trading. In 1973 Malcolm sold the Kanox brand. The new buyers insisted Malcolm continued to oversee the manufacture of Kanox from two Lancashire mills.

1980

T.Forrest & Sons LTD

This sees the year where Malcolm and Margaret (wife) decide to go at it alone. They begin trading as T.Forrest making dog food and dog treats manufacturing from their premises in Oak Street, Blackburn.

shaun wallbank is t forrests managing director.

1982

4th Generation

Back in the 80’s - our now MD Shaun Wallbank - left school and started working for Mum and Dad. From humble beginnings, they grew the company, making dog food and treats and bones supplying a national network of Pet Shops, and quickly outgrew the premises in Blackburn and bought Samlesbury Mill in 1982.

tina wallbank is t forrests finance director, wife to shaun wallbank

1992

The Journey Continues

Malcolm and Margret decide to retire and Shaun and Katrina buy the business ready for the next generation.

daniel wallbank is t forrests business development

2015

5th Generation

2015 Daniel Wallbank joins the business. Working in the sales department and quickly progressed to Sales Director in 2017, then to Head of Business Development in 2021.

2017

5th Generation

2017 Charlotte joins the business in the accounts department. She now heads up our e-commerce platforms and is our Head of Marketing and Design.

dog holding jumbo sausage treat in mouth

2020

Treating Your Pet Like Our Own

T.Forrest has had a fresh new look and rebrand, designed by Charlotte Wallbank and the team. Over our 89 year history, we continue to develop new natural ranges to make pets and owners happy.

2021

Family Business Award Winners

We won the Family Business award at Lancashire Red Rose Awards! What a proud moment for us as a Family.

T Forrest Head of Business Development Daniel

2024

New Manufacturing Facility

We opened our brand new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. This means we can continue to deliver high quality, natural dog treats while ramping up production to meet the growing demand.