Yorkshire-based E B Bradshaw & Sons has completed construction of a new flour mill.

The investment will increase the firm’s annual milling capacity to nearly 160,000 tonnes of flour a year.Now fully functioning after 14 months’ construction, the mill is operated remotely and can optimise the milling yield according to the type of flour.

E B Bradshaw’s flour range includes breadmaking, biscuit, wholemeal and specialised kosher products, such as Passover and halal flours.

“Our new mill is an example of industry-leading technology in terms of food hygiene, energy efficiency and flour purity, and we have already had visitors from across the world to see the unique processes it has in place,” said Stuart Bradshaw, co-managing director of E B Bradshaw.

“We are proud to run a business in the same family for six generations and to celebrate 125 years of business with the opening of our new mill.”

The mill’s windowless design prevents noise and emissions, and it has an interior recirculation system to maintain a constant temperature and humidity.

E B Bradshaw is responsible for milling more than 3% of the total UK bread flour market and over 13% of the soft flour market, accounting for nearly 3% of the total flour market across the UK. It sources 4,000 tonnes of grain a week from local farmers and agricultural merchants.

The company obtained a seven-figure funding package from Lombard Asset Finance and NatWest to construct the mill and purchase and install Italian machinery.

“E B Bradshaw & Sons has a great history in the flour milling industry and the new addition will enable the business to significantly increase its capacity,” said Linda Simpson, senior relationship manager at NatWest.

“We look forward to working with the business in the future as Simon and Stuart continue with their ambitious growth plans.”

The business started in the 1790s when miller William Bradshaw operated three windmills in Bedfordshire. Cousins Simon and Stuart Bradshaw operate the business with the support of chairman Ron Beston and site manager Andrew Butterwick.

EB Bradshaw & Sons Mill

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