Construction work finally set to get underway on new I’Anson feed mill in UK

19-Oct-2021 - Last updated on 19-Oct-2021 at 09:10 GMT

I’Anson Brothers Ltd, a fourth generation, family-owned and managed animal feed manufacturer, has signed contracts enabling work to begin on the construction of its new £20m (US$27.5m) mill in Yorkshire.

It is the single biggest investment in the feed producer’s 120 year long history.

The business has appointed Ottevanger Milling Engineers, the Dutch company that specializes in the design and build of feed mills around the world, to run the project.

Located at the Dalton Industrial Estate in North Yorkshire, the feed producer said the new mill will be among the most technologically advanced feed mills in Europe, with it also set to be highly energy efficient.

Originally pegged for completion next year, the pandemic evidently had a knock-on effect on the project’s timeline. The build will now be finalized in the summer of 2023, said I’Anson.

The existing workforce will be retained and additional jobs are to be created at the new site.

The planned expansion will consolidate its position in both the domestic and export markets, said the company, which has annual revenues in excess of £45m (US$62m), and supplies farming and equine customers nationally and in over 40 countries.

Increased production capacity, according to the firm, will complement its existing plant and enable it to meet growing demand from existing customers, secure new orders, expand its export operations and continue to be a major supplier to the agriculture sector.

Covering around 23,000 sq. ft. (2136.7 sq. m) in terms of scale, the new plant is designed to deliver 30 tons per hour (tph) of compound ruminant and monogastric feeds with room for expansion in the coming years.

Growth constraints

I’Anson has been based at its current mill in Masham for 60 years. The feed manufacturer told us before that the physical limitations of that site meant it has reached production capacity, constraining the company’s ability to grow, despite the investment in new technology to increase production volumes and efficiency at that plant over the years.

I’Anson’s headquarters will remain in Masham, where it will continue to manufacture an extensive range of micronized feeds, specialty rations and horse feeds. The new facility will focus on the production of bulk farm feeds.

With work now due to begin on the site, the company said that Chris I’Anson is to become executive chairman of the business, focusing on the development and delivery of the project at Dalton. Sarah Richardson will assume the role of MD, working alongside Will I’Anson, whose focus will remain on sales and raw material purchasing across each of I’Anson’s sites.