White’s history is a rich one spanning two centuries and including several world wars. It’s a story of entrepreneurial vision, rapid expansion, company mergers, takeovers and extensive product development.
Today
White’s close links to local growers - some of whom have been supplying the company for four generations - as well as our ongoing commitment towards supporting sustainable farming has always been and will continue to be at the heart of White’s oats.
In this way we are able to buy the finest quality oats for our customers and make the tastiest products. White’s invests a lot of money in its business, its people and in developing ideas for new products. We’re very proud of our range and hope you like it too.
2000 onwards - From Strength to Strength
Significant investment in new product development has bolstered White’s portfolio of products which now include White’s microwaveable Only Oats and Milk and Honey Oats; Toasted Oats, Honey Baked Granola, Real Fruit Porridge, its Organic range and not forgetting the iconic Speedicook brand.
In recognition of White’s commitment to providing the highest quality oat products White’s has won a string of awards including breakfast champions by the Home Grown Cereal Authority and several Great Taste Gold Awards from the Guild of Fine Food.
1990s - End of an Era brings focus back to Oat Milling
White’s is bought by Fane Valley, a Northern Irish farmer owned cooperative in 1994. Recognising the potential of this little company with its strong connection to families and its foothold in the community, Fane Valley has invested significantly in rebuilding the mill and turning it into one of the most modern and state of the art oat milling facilities in the United Kingdom and Ireland today.
1965 - Mergers and takeovers
The year 1965 brought the merger of R & W Paul of Ipswich with White, Tomkins & Courage to form the Paul & White’s Group. Production was heavily focussed on food ingredients with the merger signalling one of the widest range of flavourings and essences within the food industry
1930 - 1940s
World War comes to Europe which drives self sufficiency in food production but White’s products continue to be widely successful.
1920 - 1930s - Speedicook is launched in Northern Ireland!
Speedicook Porridge was launched in the traditional flat bottom bag which has become an iconic trademark of the brand today. Speedicook soon went on to become the clear brand leader across Northern Ireland promoting itself to Irish housewives through its fast cooking time and Ulster heritage. To this day Speedicook remains Northern Ireland’s favourite porridge brand.
1920s - White's prospers throughout GB
White’s continued to grow and prosper and in 1922 a factory in Reigate, Surrey was opened to manufacture fruit and flavour preserves for use in the company’s product range which had grown to include not only oat flakes but a considerable selection of jelly crystals, custards, blancmange powders, pickles and sauces.
Turn of the 20th Century - Operations expand
A second site at Clarendon docks in Belfast was acquired and White’s (which later became known as White Tomkins & Courage) expanded its operations to include other food processes such as rice milling and producing flaked maize. The company grew and ventured into England at the turn of the century with factories opening in Liverpool and London.
1841 - And so it begins
In 1841 White’s formally known as T.H. White & Company was founded on the banks of the river Cusher in Tandragee, County Armagh and it is here where they milled oatmeal. In the old days the forces of the river Cusher powered a huge water wheel and in turn the mill’s heavy grinding stones produced White’s porridge oat flake.
