Rank, Joseph, Ltd

Sectors:

  • Distribution - wholesaling, broking, market trading, etc Agricultural goods distribution inc agricultural merchants & seedsmen
  • Food & tobacco processing Animal feed production
  • Food & tobacco processing Baking inc baking of cakes
  • Food & tobacco processing Grain milling inc flour, starch & glucose products

Notes:

Traced origins to Joseph Rank who set up in business as a grain miller at Hull in 1875. Built roller mill there in mid 1880s followed by other large mills in UK ports such as London, Cardiff and Birkenhead after 1900. Incorporated as Joseph Rank Ltd 1899. Relocated head office to London. Became public company in 1933 as Ranks Ltd. In 1950s diversified into baking and agricultural merchanting which followed earlier diversification into animal feeds. Acquired Hovis McDougall Ltd in 1962 when known as Ranks Hovis McDougall Ltd (RHM) and Cerebos Ltd in 1968, the latter significantly broadening range of food products. 1992 acquired by Tomkins Plc and subsequently other owners including Premier Foods from 2007. Joseph Rank's younger son, J Arthur Rank, established important film and other business interests which were consolidated in the Rank Organisation Ltd; he was also chairman of the milling business

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