H.J LEA OAKES

Over the last ten years, the company's development in the region has superbly demonstrated it's total commitment to UK farming.

For example, in 1999 under the then new UKASTA Feed Assurance Scheme all feed mills were obliged to meet stringent standards for accreditation. All three HJ Lea Oakes mills were simultaneously approved for this; the first in the region to achieve such high standards and something no other mill in Cheshire was able to do. Of course all H J Lea Oakes mill are still accredited under the UFAS scheme.

At Wheelock Mill the company now mill their own formulation organic blends and provender feeds, supplying sites throughout the UK.

HJ Lea Oakes's own group of Pet Food Superstores supply own-brand labels such as Nurtura for dogs and cats and Equerry for horses and ponies, which are also sold at stores throughout the region and beyond.

Unsurprisingly, HJ Lea Oakes are also at the forefront of the new trend towards Organic Farming. At Congleton the HJ Lea Oakes mill was formerly known as Oakes Millers, being part of the Northern Foods Group until 1995. Following their purchase of this, the company has invested to convert it to the production of organic compounds and horse feeds made from ingredients sourced from crops not subject to genetic modification. Congleton Mill is now one of the few dedicated Organic Mills for over 100 miles and the DEFRA accreditation combined with its UFAS certification gives the company the industry's highest accolades for excellence in this important and developing area. The once niche market of Organics is rapidly becoming mainstream. Congleton is the home of the Equerry range of horse feeds made as cubes and molassed coarse mixes.