In 2012 Christy Turner celebrated 175 years of supplying high quality, robust and reliable flaking mills, hammer mills, pulverisers and associated plant equipment for industries around the world that process food for humans, feed for humans animals, biomass, waste recycling, minerals, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

1. I
n 2012 Christy Turner celebrated 175 years of
supplying high quality, robust and reliable flaking
mills, hammer mills, pulverisers and associated
plant equipment for industries around the world that
process food for humans, feed for humans animals,
biomass, waste recycling, minerals, chemicals and
pharmaceuticals.
By combining years of experience with innovative
ideas, the latest design tools, top quality materials
and sound engineering, Christy Turner still manufacture their
machines on the very same site in Ipswich; where the E R & F
Turner brand was established back in 1837.
Created by the merging of E R & F Turner, Christy & Norris
and Miracle Mills, Christy Turner Ltd boasts an international
reputation for producing high quality British engineering as well
as innovation in the milling industry.
This reputation has been forged by the company’s apparent
willingness to combine generations of manufacturing skills and
expertise with modern technological advances. In doing so,
Christy Turner have continued to produce the machines of choice
for manufacturers around the globe. For example, over 90 percent
of the machines used by UK cereal giant Weetabix at Burton,
Latimer & Corby sites are Christy Turner’s E R & F Turner
Flaking Mills.
Generations old reputation for robust, durable
machines
What are the reasons behind Christy Turner’s longevity? It
could their reputation for robust, durable machines and spares
and servicing, coupled with their innovative and dynamic
approach to the ever-changing milling.
Managing Director Chris Jones believes that the company’s
focus on innovation has been the key ingredient in Christy Turner
maintaining their position as a market leader. “We are constantly
working to improve the machinery we supply and the parts that
go with them across all our machines; whether that is looking for
the highest possible grade materials to make the toughest possible
hammer parts or using modern technology to produce machines”
that come equipped with “intuitive control panels for ease of use,
helping overcome language barriers.”
Chris Jones also believes that it is vital that Christy Turner
embrace any new materials or technology when they become
available so that they are able to quickly deliver these benefits to
our customers.
“To determine the optimum milling solution we have access to
175 years of
sound British
engineering
by Lyndsey Filby, Christy Turner, UK
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2. test records and reports from the 1940s to the present day. When
combined with the latest advances in technology and materials, it
is not surprising that our machines remain market leaders.”
Jones believes that Christy Turner have “worked hard to gain
an excellent reputation for supplying countries around the world
with durable, versatile equipment of the highest standard and we
are committed to maintaining this position.”
Currently wholly owned by the Gosling family, Christy Turner’s
trio of leading engineering brands have each helped shape the
UK’s milling landscape and played an important role in the
country’s esteemed milling history.
Establishing the E R & F Turner brand
Although E R & F Turner are currently most famous for their
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3. 600, 550 and 460 model flaking mills that are all designed for
flaking breakfast cereals and are also widely used across the
animal feed industry. However, the longest-established of Christy
Turner’s core brands was established back when brothers Edward
Rush and Frederick Turner began making steam engines from St
Peter’s Works in Ipswich.
The company pioneered machine engine design and in 1851
exhibited its own portable steam engine design to more than six
million visitors at the famous Great Exhibition, held at Crystal
Palace. The exhibition put Turner’s on the world stage and helped
them attract a world-wide reputation as esteemed engine builders
and boiler makers. The portable steam engine of 4-horse power
was cutting edge technology. Subsequent successes included the
introduction of its traction engine in 1865.
Throughout the 19th Century, Turners were gainfully employed
manufacturing agricultural machinery, steam engines and boilers,
with their main customers being flour millers and animal feed
processors. The development of the steam engine allowed for
increased innovation and greater efficiency into many forms of
agriculture and early food processing. Up to that time milling had
been carried out using either wind or water power. However, the
steam engine was now able to power the operation of a number
of different machines to be used continuously without relying
on wind or water. Even back then, ER & F Turner was at the
forefront of the new technology.
The Introduction of Roller Mills and the Demise of
Stone
Then in 1846, Mr Turner entered into a contract to fit up a
complete steam driven flour millstone system for the eminent
miller Mr Joseph Fison of Ipswich. Sixteen years later, in 1862,
they manufactured from the designs of Mr G A Buckholz, a
Prussian Engineer, another milling plant for Mr Fison which
included roller mills, which is believed to be the first of its
kind in England. This system enabled the bran and germ to be
separated from the flour to meet the increasing demand for whiter
and lighter flours.
During this period, two major changes were taking place,
roller mills were replacing mill stones and electric motors
were replacing steam engines. The demand for flour milling
development was also being stimulated by imported flours from
Hungary that were said to be of a much such superior quality. The
Hungarians were producing superior flour using horizontal rolling
mills that could produce finer more consistent flour.
To fully understand the pioneering system, a milling expert
named Mr J Harrison Carter and Pierson Turner travelled to
Hungary to investigate these mills. Upon their return ER & F
Turner conceived a new range of milling machinery. By 1888 ER
& F Turner were designing and producing their own roller mills -
mills that could crush seeds and beans for their oil, and maize, to
create cornflakes and other breakfast cereal.
Turners: equipping millers across the globe
For the 20 years that followed, a considerable number of mills
were equipped with Turner’s products, including engines and
boilers, transmission gears and drive shafts. In 1908 Turners
decided to discontinue the manufacture of steam engines and
boilers to make way for the growing demands of its milling
business. The success at this time necessitated the acquisition of
further premises which became known as Greyfriars Works. In
addition to flour milling machinery the firm manufactured and
erected the first complete maize flaking plant for animal feed in
the UK.
The outbreak of war in 1914 saw an immediate response
from the company. Arthur Leggett (then works manager, later
to become managing director and in 1932 owner) conceived
the idea of a single purpose lathe for the accurate production
of shell bodies. These were so successful that some 2,000
similar machines were produced for plants in all parts of the
country.
Following the end of the war, demand for manufactured
products and agricultural machinery collapsed and all UK
engineering companies went through very tough times. The
manufacturing of military hardware had kept their factories
during the war years, then suddenly came to an end. The
large export markets which had sustained these companies
before the war had now either been lost or were greatly
diminished.
A number of leading companies in the region were struggling
and following discussions, in June 1919, formed Agricultural
& General Engineers Ltd (AGE) working on a ‘together we
are stronger’ premise. AGE combined 14 companies, including
E R & F Turner, and took over the entire share capital of the
companies. Others included Barford and Perkins of Peterborough,
E H Bentall of Maldon, Peter Brotherhood of Peterborough, Bull
Motors of Stowmarket, Davey Paxman of Colchester and Richard
Garrett of Leiston.
In 1921, an advertisement in The Miller Magazine listed the
company’s products as flour milling machinery, maize milling
and flaking machinery, wheat and maize cleaning machinery,
grinding mills and chilled iron rolls.
An original E R & F Turner Flaking Mill
E R & F Turner 600 Breakfast Cereal with integral conveyor
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4. ER & F Turner relocate to Foxhall Road site, Ipswich.
In 1922, ER & F Turner purchased a nine acre site on Foxhall
Road in Ipswich that had previously been occupied by Valley
Brickworks. It was to here that they began the lengthy process of
moving the works from their town centre site in College Street to
the new premises. The original St Peter’s Work’s site included
the famous Wolsey’s Gate, and on vacating the premises, the firm
presented the Gate to the town of Ipswich.
By 1932 AGE was suffering from a desperate shortage of
liquidity and a receiver was appointed. Each constituent company
was then sold off separately by the receiver and in most cases
back to the original owner. The firm underwent a reorganisation
under the Chairmanship of Mr Arthur Leggett and E R & F
Turner became independent once again, while also acquiring Bull
Motors Ltd.
The new premises offered the opportunity to re-plan production
on the most up-to-date lines and to consolidate the firm’s electric
motor production and milling machinery production onto one site
and in 1937 they opened the new factory in Foxhall Road.
It was around this time that the landscape of breakfast cereal
market was undergoing a transformation. In addition to the
traditional porridge oats, other products were now being
introduced to the UK. In 1937 Turners supplied its first flaking
mills to Weetabix Ltd, which laid the foundations of a significant
working relationship with the breakfast giants; which it continues
today.
E R & F Turner through World War II
The outbreak of the Second World War found E R & F Turner
well prepared to meet the heavy demands that were to be made
for its products to contribute to the armaments programme.
As well as making their turning lathes for shells, a quarter of a
million electric motors were manufactured by the firm during the
war years. They included motors for radar equipment, bomber
flap operating gear, electrical transmitters and generating sets.
On the milling side, Turner’s long experience of seed cleaning
plant was also being put to good use during the war years,
enabling the country to produce products it once relied on imports
for, including the separating, cleaning and drying of flax. Another
application of the company’s experience in this field was the
manufacture and installation of large numbers of drying, cleaning
and storage plants for grain. With the introduction of combine
harvesting this equipment became essential to the UK’s home
food production.
A view of St Peter’s works in Ipswich
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6. E R & F Turner and Post War Austerity
Following the Second World War, E R & F Turner invested in
improving their milling products by introducing a new totally
enclosed flour roller mill and a completely new flaking mill with
improved bearing design and lubrication.
The 1960’s once again sparked turbulent times for the business
and saw considerable changes in ownership and management.
The Leggett family that had owned and run the company since
1932, first under the stewardship of Mr Arthur Leggett and then
his two sons Alan and Percy, decided to retire. As a result the
business was sold in 1966 to an investment company, Forgeway
Finance, at a time when corporate asset stripping was par for the
course. Forgeway liquidated a lot of the property and E R & F
Turner again was set on a new course.
On May 1, 1969 the company of E R & F Turner Ltd
(incorporating J Harrison Carter), complete with all the drawings,
patterns, spare parts and work in progress, was purchased by
precision engineers W G Gosling & Sons Ltd; an Ipswich
company founded by Walter George Gosling in 1925 and run at
that time by his grandsons. The company selling electric motors
remained at the Foxhall Road site and became Bull Motors Ltd.
The business of E R & T Turner Ltd was relocated to Knightsdale
Road, Ipswich, where it stands today. Also included in the sale
was the associate company of J. Harrison Carter Limited, which
manufactured a wide range of crushing and grinding equipment.
During 1970s the first flaking mill made by the new owners was
sold to a South African company. Since then larger and more
sophisticated mills have been designed, leading to hundreds of
flaking mills being manufactured and shipped all over the world.
Adapting throughout the 20th Century and the Birth of
the 550 Diameter Flaking Mill
In the 1980’s, a project led by Simon Foods Ltd to make
cornflakes using extruders instead of the traditional process,
resulted in the design of a 550 diameter flaking mill. As a result,
a lot of machines were then sold to parts of the world where
cornflakes had not previously been traditionally eaten.
The 1990’s saw computerisation introduced to the flaking
mill and a brand new 600mm diameter roller mill was designed
incorporating computerised gap control and many other
innovative features. This gave a larger roll diameter and higher
capacity than the existing 550 mill. Development of this mill
continues today with the introduction of intuitive touch screen
controls. Christy Turner also launched a simplified version of its
E R & F Turner 600 Flaking Mill specifically re-engineered for
the animal feed market at Victam earlier this year (2015).
The J. Harrison Carter products acquired with E R & F Turner
Ltd back in 1969 had resulted in the manufacture of numerous
crushing & grinding machines. In January 1986 a London firm,
Miracle Mills Ltd of Penge, producing similar machines to the
Harrison Carter range, came up for sale and was quickly snapped
up by E R & F Turner Ltd. Its relocation to Ipswich enabled the
company to combine the skills and engineering expertise of its
staff, which led to the development of a new and improved range
of hammer mills under the Miracle Mills brand.
Miracle Mills currently produces a range of heavy duty swing
top hammer mills primarily designed for feed milling but also
widely used for grinding waste wood products and more abrasive
applications, ideal for reducing products such as waste wood for
animal bedding and biomass. The Miracle Mill 300 Series is a
range of heavy duty mills with a hardened top section especially
suited to particle size reduction of abrasive materials.
The Christy & Norris Brand: Going Strong Since 1858
And last, but by no means least, Christy Turner’s Christy &
Norris brand has an equally rich heritage going back to 1858. A
leading competitor in the size reduction industry, Christy Hunt
(Agricultural) Ltd of Scunthorpe (formally Christy & Norris of
Chelmsford) became available in May of 2002 and was bought
and relocated to Ipswich at the end of that year, joining an
impressive line up of leading UK engineering brands.
Fell Christy, the youngest son of a Chelmsford Quaker family,
was apprenticed in1853 to Whitmore and Bunyon, renowned
millwrights and agricultural engineers based in Wickham
Market. With this experience he set up in partnership with his
father in 1858, and they established works in Broomfield Road,
Chelmsford. In the 1860s Fell Christy, working as an engineer
and millwright, travelled widely throughout Britain to service
wind and water-mills - gaining a reputation for meticulous care
and attention to detail.
The beater type disintegrator is introduced.
In 1872 Fell Christy introduced to the UK the manufacture of
the beater type disintegrator, a machine pioneered in the USA. It
reduced dry material to powder with great efficiency, and found
extensive use in agriculture, milling, food manufacture and other
industries.
In 1880 with business expanding rapidly, Mr J A Norris was
recruited from another Chelmsford firm, and five years later he
was taken into partnership to form the firm Christy & Norris.
Christy’s son William was taken on in 1897 to concentrate on
maintaining the company’s fine reputation as millwrights and
mill engineers.
The following century saw the company develop its range of
hammer mills and pulverizers and expand into complete animal
feed plants which they installed around the world. Christy Norris
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7. earned the enviable reputation of being able to build a complete
feed mill installation from the ground up.
The company’s diversification continued still further in
the 1980s, when Christy’s acquired the businesses of Beken
Engineering and Sturtevant Engineering Ltd. Shortly after the
company became one of the UK’s most renowned manufacturers
of size reduction machinery, producing a full range of the original
Christy & Norris pulverizers and hammer mills, Beken mixers
and Sturtevant crushers.
The Acquisition of the Hunt and Co. Works
In 1985 Christy & Norris Ltd acquired the company of R Hunt
& Co, and moved from its Chelmsford factory to the R Hunt
& Co works in Earls Colne, creating the combined company of
Christy Hunt Ltd. This union did not prove successful and the
attraction of the large Earls Colne Works for housing proved too
great and in 1988 the works was closed and the Christy & Norris
and R Hunt & Co product ranges were sold to Bentall Simplex, a
Scunthorpe company.
In May 2002 Christy Hunt Agricultural Ltd, whose foundations
were laid in Essex, was brought back to East Anglia by the
Goslings.
Under the Christy Turner umbrella, and reverting to its original
brand name, Christy & Norris currently offers a range of high
speed dual rotation swing beater hammer mills with direct drive,
including the X380, X660 and X960, ideal for grinding cereals
for livestock feed, pet food and aquatic feed; size reduction of
wood waste for animal bedding or pelleting and size reduction of
biomass materials for power generation. It also produces a range
of heavy duty pulverizers used for limestone, plasterboard and
general recycling.
Over the years thousands of X15 and X26 hammer mills have
been made and the industry is very familiar with these models,
many still in service today and forming the basis of design for
many modern hammer mills, including the current Christy &
Norris X mill series. Christy Turner continue to provide supply
parts and servicing for all Christy Norris machines, including the
Sturtevant Crushers & Beken Mixers.
Christy Turner’s World Famous Spares and Service
Department
As well as supplying new and reconditioned machines, Christy
Turner also has a spares and service department, delivering
everything from machine maintenance advice, on-site servicing,
roll regrinding and replacement rolls to wear parts such as
beaters, screens, rotor parts, scraper blades, bearings and bearing
housings.
Businesses looking for high quality flaking equipment for
breakfast cereal and animal feed production, hammer mills with
a reputation for reliability and longevity or excellent spares
and servicing can comfortably place their trust in a trio of Great
British brands with a rich heritage of the finest UK engineering.
In addition to the machines at Weetabix’s Burton Latimer &
Corby sites, E R & F Turner Flaking Mills, are also installed at
Weetabix sites in Kenya, South Africa & Canada. Over 650 E R
& F Turner Flaking Mills are operational across the globe with
mills installed across sites in the UK, Europe, Australia/New
Zealand, South America, Middle East, Kenya, South Africa and
Canada.
Structural simplification and the appointment of Chris
Jones Becomes Managing Director
In 2004, an effort was made to simplify the company
administration. E R & F Turner, Christy Hunt and Miracle Mills
were combined by the Goslings into one trading company called
Christy Turner Ltd. However, the consolidation process did lead
to some confusion for customers; with some thinking the historic
brands no longer existed.
This year Christy Turner embarked on an important rebrand
across its business to reclaim its rich heritage and ensure E R
& F Turner, Christy & Norris and Miracle Mills continue to
benefit from their own hard-earned reputations, while trading
under the Christy Turner umbrella. A new and updated web site
allows customers to view all the products now available across
its extensive range which is a veritable one-stop shop for most
milling needs.
In January 2013, Chris Jones became Managing Director of
Christy Turner Ltd, he was also joined by Mags Humphrey as
Finance Director. The company remains wholly owned by the
Gosling family with Ron Gosling as Chairman. Bringing business
experience from outside the industry the new appointments were
made to introduce fresh new leadership and re-invigorate product
development to continue the work and safeguard the legacy of
those early innovators who started the Christy Turner journey
almost 200 years ago.
What Does the Future Have in Store For Christy
Turner
While continuing to provide support for its legacy equipment,
Christy Turner is also committed to furthering the evolution of
its range of machines and maintain an ambitious development
program to ensure its machines remain market leaders in their
field. With the consolidation process firmly established the last
10 years has seen the company go from strength to strength.
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