Shaws is a privately owned family business established in 1889 by Scotsman George Shaw and his two sons Walter and Vincent, as general merchants and manufactirers. George, an insurance agent by profession, looked after the administration of the new business.

Walter, the driving force, took control of the buying and selling, whilst his younger brother Vincent a trainee pharmacist, attended to the manufacturing and packaging of various items of household goods, cosmetics, medicines and foodstuffs including a brown sauce known as "Shaws Relish". The Business survived two World Wars despite the shortage of materials and staff. During the First World War, glass was manufactured at the Storthes Mill premises for their own products.

The nature of the business had seen many changes over the years but the production of Sauces, Chutneys and Relishes is now established as the core of their manufacturing business under control of Matthew and Daniel Shaw, great-great grandsons of the founder. They continue Georgešs insistence of using only the finest ingredients which are sourced from around the world. From originally being a local, supplier, delivering by horse and cart, Shaws are now distributed throughout the United Kingdom and are currently exported to France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Norway, Saudia Arabia, Canada and U.S.A.