1924
Walter Nias Cunningham started manufacturing cosmetic and personal care items under the Company name,
Mahginnuk Manufacturing.
1932
Walter purchased a hand-operated hydraulic press and began processing local cocoa beans into cocoa butter and cocoa powder.
The factory was built on the family’s property in Williamsfield, Manchester next to the Cunningham family home.
Pioneer Chocolate still stands in this exact location today.
1944 – mid-1950s
Walter’s son, John Cunningham (Sr.), joined the business and modernised the operation with state-of-the-art cocoa handling and finishing machinery.
1965
On August 4, Pioneer Chocolate Co. Ltd was incorporated.
1960s – 1980s
The Company focused on cultivating relationships with local cocoa farmers. Pioneer Chocolate’s main business during this period was pressing and exporting cocoa butter to the United States, Canada, and Europe.
1980s – 1990s
The third generation of Cunninghams, Robert Cunningham and John Jay Cunningham (Jr.) joined the family business. Pioneer Chocolate developed its first instant cocoa mix, sparking the genesis of Distributor partnerships that still exist to this day.
1990s – 2010s
In addition to cocoa mixes, Pioneer Chocolate also manufactured chocolate bars, peanut butter, peppermint sticks, and bulk syrup during this period. In 2005, the Company developed its first instant hot chocolate mix.
2010s – Present
The fourth generation of Cunninghams, Alexander Cunningham and Frances Cunningham joined the Company. Significant upgrades have been made to the factory infrastructure and the Company has steadily expanded its range of flavoured, instant hot chocolate mixes.
2021
The company launched Likkle Sippaz, a new line of flavoured, instant milk mixes.