company history
Neill’s Flour began milling in Belfast during the time of the potato famine when the mill was used to grind maize. It was originally known as McCammon’s mill and employed a Mr James Neill to manage the firm. In 1867 the mill was passed over to James and hence it took on its present name.
It was at this time that wheat started to be ground in the mill to produce stoneground flour. In the 1880’s the mill was remodelled using what was at that time state of the art steel roller mills.
In the early 1960”s James Neill became part of Allied Mills, which in turn is part of Associated British Foods PLC and this has meant that the company has had an unparalleled level of resources and expertise.
In 1986/1987 the mill was demolished and a completely new building was erected, still on the original site, with the latest generation of high technology milling equipment incorporating a totally computer controlled system.
In 2005 the mill became the first in Ireland to invest in a debranning system which takes the outer bran of the wheat thereby giving a much whiter flour
As flour experts James Neill continues to mill to produce the best quality flour which has earned the company an enviable reputation in the market and has led Neill’s brand to becoming the number 1 retail brand in Northern Ireland.