Pfizer's history 1955-70

The growth of Sandwich

The size of the Sandwich operation grew throughout the 1950s as Pfizer's portfolio of anti-biotics broadened following the discovery of Tetracyn (tetracycline), introduced to the Sandwich operation in 1955.

Production of organic steroids, aimed at the market for skin treatment, began in 1958. So too did manufacture of the Salk polio vaccine, a forerunner of the Sabin vaccine that was used in a Ministry of Health inoculation programme during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Pfizer expanded its operation in other ways too - an animal-feed plant was set up in 1955, and an Agricultural Division opened in 1957.

In addition, Pfizer responded to changing Government regulations, and formed a new sales force and entered the UK non-prescription market in 1955.

Rapid expansion continued through the second half of the decade, with the acquisition of chemicals manufacturer Kemball Bishop & Company Limited as well as the innovation of new prescription medicines for mental health and diabetes.

By 1960, the company employed over 2,000 staff, and had consolidated its Folkstone and Sandwich operations at the one Sandwich site.

Diversification

During the 1960s, Pfizer at Sandwich continued to develop and diversify, with substantial additional land, known as the 'West Site', being purchased in 1964.

Diversification ensured Pfizer reduced dependence on a limited product range, and by 1963 Pfizer consisted of Pharmaceutical, Chemicals, Consumer, Agricultural and Research divisions.

Acquisitions of the perfume and cosmetics firm Coty, followed by the door-to-door perfume selling operation Romney, boosted the Consumer Division. By 1964 Pfizer had also acquired TCPr manufacturers British Alkaloids and the Bridge Colour Works near Manchester.

In 1966 the Terramycin patent expired. However, by this point Pfizer was at its most diversified point in its history, an industrial and retail conglomerate that stretched from pills to perfume, and petrochemicals to pet products.