Lowes, the Welsh fizzy drink brand that fuelled school discos and accompanied chippy teas for over a century, remains a family-run business after 136 years. Fourth-generation director Katie Sieniawski is now at the helm, hoping to keep the brand trading for many years to come.
A century of fizz
Lowes Bros was founded in 1890 by Robert Lowe and his brother, but in 1906 the business was sold to John Higginbotham, who continued to grow the company throughout Cardiff. It wasn't until 1947, when Albert Cheetham bought Lowes, that it became the brand known today.
Albert was part of the family business Cheetham Brothers in Oldham, founded by his father John Frederick Cheetham. He moved to Cardiff and bought Lowe Bros in Pontcanna, and 19 years later operations moved to the factory in Ely that many remember.
Four generations of family
The company has been handed down through generations, with Katie's grandad David taking over from Albert, and Katie's father Paul taking over from David. Katie, now 39, remembers visiting the factory as a child: "That's where I remember going as a kid, on weekends and after school and things like that. Basically, just causing chaos for my dad at the time."
Katie started doing telesales for the business when she was just 14, but after college her father said she had to forge her own path first. After gaining a university degree and work experience, she returned to Lowes in 2012 and is now Director, with her father semi-retired. The fifth generation also helps out, with Katie's two children assisting with events and deliveries.
From regional to national
In 2005, the Ely factory was closed and manufacturing was outsourced, making Lowes a national company rather than just a regional one. Katie said: "We used to be more of a regional, more local business, basically Cardiff, South Wales, West Wales. Now, we've got customers throughout the UK, and hopefully, one day we will go over the border."
Despite the changes, Katie says: "We've got the same values, quality, and heritage, and we're still the same family from back then." She added: "I think being the fourth generation is something that I am incredibly proud of, but there is also a huge responsibility. The business has survived 136 years, but I do want to make sure I do everything I can so there's a really strong future."
Nostalgia and the future
Recently Katie shared old pictures of the company on social media, and locals flooded the comments reminiscing about childhood favourites, including the iconic pop van that drove around Cardiff. She said: "I was so surprised at the amount of views that I've had over the last couple of weeks from my posts... The response has just been unbelievable."
Although the pop van no longer takes to the streets, Lowes still supplies wholesalers, cash and carries, and retailers, as well as local venues like schools, bingo halls and working men's clubs. Katie wants people to know the brand is still trading: "I would just love for people to realise that Lowes is still here, and we are still a Welsh family business, we're really proud of where we've come from. We just want to encourage people to really look for Lowes."
