Jordans (cereal)

Holme Mills centre

Holme Mills is on Langford Road in Biggleswade, situated next to the River Ivel. A mill was recorded on the site in 1086, as noted in the Domesday Book. It was bought by local farmer William Herbert Jordan in 1855. The mill caught fire in 1894 and burnt down again in 1899. It produced flour until 1972 when W. Jordan (Cereals) Ltd was formed. It was run by Bill and David Jordan, who are brothers and were partners of the company until 2010.[2] W. Jordan (Cereals) Ltd has been dormant since 2010 and the business now operates as The Jordans & Ryvita Company Limited, a subsidiary of Associated British Foods.[1]

In 1981, Jordans began the production of a cereal bar called Original Crunchy. It now produces four different cereal bars including Frusli, Breakfast Bars, Luxury Absolute Nut Bar and a variety of crunchy bars.[3]

In 2002, they formed the joint venture 'the Organic and Natural Food Company' with Yeo Valley Organic. It produced vending machines for schools

In April 2003, the company won a Queen's Awards for Enterprise.[4]

In 2005, Bill Jordan was made a MBE.

In September 2007, 20% of the company was sold to Associated British Foods, followed by a further 42% in June 2008, becoming fully owned by ABF by 2013.[5]

The company is concerned about the rapid decline in the bee population. It started the Big Buzz campaign in May 2009, with the help of the British Beekeepers' Association and the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.

Jordans Mill Visitor Centre

It is the UK's fourth largest cereals manufacturer after Kelloggs, Nestlé and Weetabix. 25% of their produce is exported, with France being an important market.

Jordans belongs to the Association of Cereal Food Manufacturers, which is a member of the European Breakfast Cereal Association.

• Jordans Cereals website
• Jordans Big Buzz