Level: Sub-series
Reference: HAT50/1/145
Alt Ref No.: Hatrecord
Extent: 19 folders, 11 items (2 boxes)
Agency: J Walter Thompson (JWT), London
Product: bread and bakeries
Advertiser / Client: Rank Hovis McDougall (RHM) Ltd
Admin History: Joseph Rank founded a milling business (1875), which was incorporated in 1899. The interwar period was one of great expansion when 20 mills were acquired at various locations around the United Kingdom. Joseph Rank Limited was registered as a public company in 1933. The main post-Second World War development was the extension of the company's interests into the bakery field. To co-ordinate activities in this arena, British Bakeries Ltd. was formed in 1955 and a programme of large-scale acquisitions of bakeries was conducted e.g. in 1957 Thomas Bell and Sons Ltd., flour manufacturers, was acquired. Rank also acquired the Victoria Flour Co. Ltd (manufacturers of 'Feathery Flake' self-raising flour).