Technology At It's Best

With it's 17th century mill flanked by a Georgian mill house and Georgian offices, and close by, a 16th century great barn and numerous other listed buildings, Ponders End Mills is one of the most complete groupings of historical industrial buildings still being worked in Greater London. This rare survivor is set within meadows bisected by a tributary of the River Lea, and is something of an oasis in Ponders End's industrial landscape. However, appearances can be deceptive.

Behind the historic facade is a large, modern food-factory - with a number of state-of-the-art facilities - which operates to standards of quality and hygiene, which satisfy the most discerning of clients.

For example, we follow ISO 9000 procedures, and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCPs) are incorporated into the manufacturing process to help to ensure the integrity of our products.

Sampling and testing is carried out at each stage of production by an on-site laboratory and test bakery, beginning with the sampling by an automatic probe of every delivery of wheat on arrival. These inspections and trials continue through the cleaning and conditioning stages, the wheat blending process - which maximises consistency - and through the milling and packing operations, with a final check being made immediately prior to despatch.

In order to keep our facilities at the leading edge of milling technology, substantial investment continues on a regular basis. Recent improvements at G. R. Wright's include on-line protein measurement, a state-of-the-art warehouse and a high-output pre-packing line which is among the most sophisticated available. We also take seriously our environmental responsibilities and have implemented the recommendations of a recent specialist audit.

As to our architectural heritage, each of the listed buildings remains in use and in good repair. And the 17th century mill? It was respectfully retired from its original purpose in the 1960s but it continues to provide a handsome and much-loved prospect for visitors, and for the people who live and work here, much as it has done for the past 350 years.