The Co-operative Wholesale Society (CWS) was formed in 1863 to supply goods to co-operative societies throughout the U.K. The CWS became one of the largest co-operative organisations in the UK, and changed its name in 2001 to The Co-operative Group. It began in small premises in Manchester and grew to occupy a large part of the city centre to house its offices, warehouses and salerooms. It produced the famous CWS Brand goods to co-operative societies throughout the UK and had hundreds of factories throughout the country. These included factories producing food, furniture, clothing and household products.
In mid 1939 Treforest Aerated Water Factory became the fourth CWS aerated water factory to be set up. The other three being at Middleton, Nottingham and Brislington. It was based at Treforest Estate, Glamorganshire, South Wales and produced non-alcoholic refreshments. This factory closed down in the late 1980s.
Sources: 'Co-op, the people's business' by Johnston Birchall, 'The CWS in War and Peace 1938 - 1976' by Sir William Richardson.
From the guide to the Treforest Aerated Water Factory (CWS), 8 Jul 1939- 16 Jan 1961, (National Co-operative Archive)
