Northern Irish oat miller marks 175th anniversary
White's, Northern Ireland's oat miller and cereal producer, is
celebrating the 175th anniversary of its first harvest.
Based at Tandragee in county Armagh Speedicook began an iconic brandin 1841 and is now among the oldest porridge producers in the
British Isles. It has since become among the most successful and
innovative food businesses in Northern Ireland with an impressive
portfolio of porridge oats and oat based cereal products, many of
which have won UK Great Taste Awards.
One of Northern Ireland's oldest food brands, White's is now part ofthe Fane Valley Group in Armagh, the leading local farmers'
co-operative. The company's porridge, granolas and oat snacks are
now exported worldwide to markets as diverse as the US and China.
White's sources oats from a 25-strong network of Northern Ireland
farmers and works closely with them on quality and in maximising
yields.
Raymond Hillman, an agronomist who heads up the Growing Group at
White's, plays a key role in the company's strategic focus on
quality and innovation through its longstanding collaboration with
growers.
He says the best way to get results that benefit the business and
growers is by working as closely as possible together to ensure highquality products for consumers. "We have access to the latest
research from Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute in Northern
Ireland, the Home Grown Cereals Authority and University College of Wales at Aberystwyth, a centre of expertise in cereals, and we are
passionate about working with our growers to help them to increase
their yields and, of course, returns for their commitment and
expertise,'' he adds.
"This involves working together in assessing the characteristics of new varieties and in other areas such as nutrition, weed control,
soil management, environmental issues, growing and drying techniquesand how best to store the harvest. It's a very exacting and
sophisticated business.
He adds: "Consumers may not be aware of the time, and effort by
White's, and its farmers in the growing and milling of oats to make quality porridge, granola and oat snacks. For instance, we are now
using time-lapse cameras to monitor the full growing cycle and
provide additional data for our research. It's another aspect of theauthenticity and provenance underpinning White's products."
Oats tend to do well in Northern Ireland because of climatic
conditions such as the cooler temperatures, longer summer days and
higher rainfall that allow the grains to swell naturally to provide a bright plump oat suitable for milling.
"Our focus is on purchasing the best quality oats for White's
milling operation which deliver the unique taste and texture
synonymous with White's porridge oats," he says.
"Quality is vitally important as White's has achieved British RetailConsortium accreditation which focuses on quality at all levels of
the business and is an essential requirement for companies wishing
to sell to multiple retailers in Britain and abroad.
"The focus on delivering the highest standards from 'farm to fork'
is crucially important. The ingredients in White's products are
fully traceable and reflect its provenance values.
"White's porridge oats and oat based cereals are grown to exacting
standards which come from the strength of our partnerships with the local farmers who grow our oats."
Northern Ireland Food and Drink companies are also celebrating the
regions pure, natural, quality food and drink in 2016, with a seriesof local, national, and international promotional events.
celebrating the 175th anniversary of its first harvest.
Based at Tandragee in county Armagh Speedicook began an iconic brandin 1841 and is now among the oldest porridge producers in the
British Isles. It has since become among the most successful and
innovative food businesses in Northern Ireland with an impressive
portfolio of porridge oats and oat based cereal products, many of
which have won UK Great Taste Awards.
One of Northern Ireland's oldest food brands, White's is now part ofthe Fane Valley Group in Armagh, the leading local farmers'
co-operative. The company's porridge, granolas and oat snacks are
now exported worldwide to markets as diverse as the US and China.
White's sources oats from a 25-strong network of Northern Ireland
farmers and works closely with them on quality and in maximising
yields.
Raymond Hillman, an agronomist who heads up the Growing Group at
White's, plays a key role in the company's strategic focus on
quality and innovation through its longstanding collaboration with
growers.
He says the best way to get results that benefit the business and
growers is by working as closely as possible together to ensure highquality products for consumers. "We have access to the latest
research from Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute in Northern
Ireland, the Home Grown Cereals Authority and University College of Wales at Aberystwyth, a centre of expertise in cereals, and we are
passionate about working with our growers to help them to increase
their yields and, of course, returns for their commitment and
expertise,'' he adds.
"This involves working together in assessing the characteristics of new varieties and in other areas such as nutrition, weed control,
soil management, environmental issues, growing and drying techniquesand how best to store the harvest. It's a very exacting and
sophisticated business.
He adds: "Consumers may not be aware of the time, and effort by
White's, and its farmers in the growing and milling of oats to make quality porridge, granola and oat snacks. For instance, we are now
using time-lapse cameras to monitor the full growing cycle and
provide additional data for our research. It's another aspect of theauthenticity and provenance underpinning White's products."
Oats tend to do well in Northern Ireland because of climatic
conditions such as the cooler temperatures, longer summer days and
higher rainfall that allow the grains to swell naturally to provide a bright plump oat suitable for milling.
"Our focus is on purchasing the best quality oats for White's
milling operation which deliver the unique taste and texture
synonymous with White's porridge oats," he says.
"Quality is vitally important as White's has achieved British RetailConsortium accreditation which focuses on quality at all levels of
the business and is an essential requirement for companies wishing
to sell to multiple retailers in Britain and abroad.
"The focus on delivering the highest standards from 'farm to fork'
is crucially important. The ingredients in White's products are
fully traceable and reflect its provenance values.
"White's porridge oats and oat based cereals are grown to exacting
standards which come from the strength of our partnerships with the local farmers who grow our oats."
Northern Ireland Food and Drink companies are also celebrating the
regions pure, natural, quality food and drink in 2016, with a seriesof local, national, and international promotional events.