There are celebrations in the air as Henry Bell & Co marks its 200th anniversary. Established in Grantham, Lincolnshire, back in 1825, first as a grain mill, then a supplier of seeds and fertilisers, and a trader of cereals and pulses for local farmers, it has grown to become a market leader in the animal and pet food industry.
With an enviable reputation for its manufacturing expertise and powerful portfolio of brands, Henry Bell has had the same family at the helm for four generations. Today’s managing director, Thomas Lee, is the great-grandson of Rothwell Lee, who bought the business in 1927.
“Sometimes, it’s good to sit back and look how far you’ve come,” said Thomas. “In our case, it’s been two whole centuries of evolution! Growing and thriving in this sector is a remarkable achievement and something we are immensely proud of. We are backed by a knowledgeable, experienced and enthusiastic team, and have embraced emerging technology and continued to nurture and refine our skills.
“Quality underpins every part of our business. It is the cornerstone of our success and the foundation on which all our products are made. We have hit this major milestone running and we’re as passionate and committed as ever to making a big difference and delivering the very best to our customers.”
Introducing micronisation and state-of-the-art computer systems has seen Henry Bell & Co become a major producer of micronised cereals, pulses, sugar beet and maize for the UK and overseas markets.
In addition to own-label manufacturing capabilities and growing export activity, Henry Bell is recognised as a force to be reckoned with in the wild bird, dried pet food and horse feed sectors. Its popular brands include the Henry Bell Wild Bird Care Collection, which was launched in 2019 with 200 feed and hardware lines, EquiGlo Horse Feeds featuring Quick Soak 10 Minute Beet and Cooked Full Fat Linseed, Mr Johnson’s small animal feeds and Dog Gone Fishin’ natural fish treats, which are made in the company’s factory in Cornwall.