About Us

Vision & Mission

At Howson & Howson Ltd., our vision is to deliver unparalleled quality in durum wheat products while embracing sustainable and innovative practices. Guided by our mission, we are committed to:

• Upholding the highest quality and safety standards in the milling industry.
• Leveraging cutting-edge technology to meet the evolving needs of our customers.
• Nurturing long-term relationships with clients, employees, and communities.

We strive to honor our heritage while paving the way for a future of excellence and trust.

Our History

Howson & Howson Ltd. is a proudly Canadian milling company, owned and operated by the Howson family since its establishment in 1875. For nearly 150 years, Howson & Howson has been a cornerstone of the agricultural and milling industries, adapting to changing markets and advancing technologies while staying true to its roots.

The Early Years

Originally located in Aberfoyle, Ontario, the company relocated to Teeswater and later, in 1899, purchased a feed and flour mill in Wingham, Ontario. By 1931, Howson & Howson had become a Purina outlet, serving customers within a 35-mile radius of Wingham, distributing flour to the Montreal market, and exporting products to Great Britain and other parts of the UK.

Expanding Operations

In 1947, the company acquired a second mill in Blyth, Ontario. At the time, the Blyth location had minimal infrastructure, requiring significant renovation and modernization. By 1948, the Blyth flour mill was fully operational, producing 300 hundredweight (cwt) bags of flour daily. Further expansion occurred in 1949 with the purchase of a feed mill in Cargill, Ontario. However, in 1950, tragedy struck when the Wingham mill was destroyed by lightning. The company quickly adapted, redistributing production between the Blyth and Cargill locations and opening a feed store in Wingham.

Over the next 15 years, the business grew steadily, with significant investments in infrastructure, including bulk handling facilities and increased production capacities. By 1965, the Blyth mill was producing 1,100 cwt bags of flour daily and employing 20 people.

Canada’s Centennial and Beyond

In celebration of Canada’s centennial in 1967, Howson & Howson launched an ambitious expansion project, enhancing the Blyth mill’s facilities and adding a new warehouse for bulk and bagged fertilizers. By then, the company employed 25 staff members and operated a fleet of seven trucks, producing 1,100 cwt bags of flour and 25–30 tons of feed daily.

In 1971, the company transitioned its flour mill to a durum semolina mill, entering into a supply contract with General Mills Ltd. This partnership paved the way for international sales, with Howson products reaching markets in Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America.

Innovation and Growth

The company’s commitment to innovation was evident in 1996 when Howson & Howson became the first flour mill in North America—and only the second in the world—to adopt the revolutionary PeriTec milling process. This investment enabled the production of up to 15 metric tonnes of flour per hour by 1997. In 1998, the company founded Howson Transportation Incorporated to ensure the highest standards of sanitation and efficiency in product transportation.

The 21st century saw continued growth, with the creation of agriEXCEL Ltd. in partnership with Parrish & Heimbecker in 2008, the construction of a modern scale house and automatic probing station in 2009, and the opening of a state-of-the-art cleaning house in 2011 featuring advanced optical sorting technology.

Commitment to Excellence

Today, Howson & Howson Ltd. produces 20 metric tonnes of durum semolina per hour. The company’s diverse product lines are used in pasta, breads, wraps, couscous, and more.

Remaining at the forefront of innovation and quality, Howson & Howson continues to develop new products to meet evolving customer needs while staying true to its legacy of excellence.