A family business for over 80 years

During the depression of the 1930s the founder of the company, Ronald S. Cockerill, began farming a rented plot of land to grow carrots, later expanding with the acquisition of a farm tenancy near York. Potato and carrot trading operations developed alongside farming activities, and became the mainstay of the business following our role in the Dig for Britain war campaign, distributing farm produce to those in greatest need.

Martin Cockerill, the present Chairman and son of the founder, joined the company in 1967 and over the following years developed an aerial crop spraying service and a prepack business serving retail multiples and the foodservice industry. The company started supplying processing potatoes on contract to Tudor Crisps, later becoming Smiths Crisps and then Walkers who are still a major customer.

Over recent years, our fresh potato packing operation has enjoyed substantial growth too, having supplied the discount retailers continually since they arrived in the UK in the early 1990’s. Our modern, automated packhouse at Dunnington shares a site with our Main offices and a quality analysis laboratory for our processing customers.

Our Greenland’s Farm site at Barmby Moor has been further expanded with efficient box and bulk storage facilities for processing potatoes. These feed the high capacity washing and gentle loading facilities to supply our processing customers all year round. This site also houses our well-equipped commercial vehicle workshops.