The Rural Voice, 2005-05, Page 7Howson
& Howson
Ltd.
...which is so much a part of Blyth owes its creation to the efforts of William Howson who along with twin brother Archibald
took up the feed mill trade in Norval, Ontario in 1867. They moved to Aberfoyle and then parted ways with Archibald moving to
Arthur and William moving to Teeswater in 1875 and renting a coal -powered and then a water -powered mill. From Teeswater
William migrated to Wingham and developed a water -powered feed and flour mill. The first new roller mill in the district was
installed. The mill with 4 men could produce 200 cwt. per day of flour at peak times.
William's son Frank joined the business in 1917 and saw the change from horse drawn wagons to delivery trucks. The mill was
producing livestock feed, flour, bran, shorts and milling flour for pastry, bread and cookies. Local bakeries and grocery stores sold
Howson's products. Flour was also shipped to Montreal and exported to Britain.
Fred Howson, the third generation was offered a partnership in the company in 1943. In 1947 the company purchased a
chopping mill in Blyth that employed 3 people. The chopping mill's wages totaled $120.00 a week. The flour mill at this site was
refurbished and by 1948 was milling both hard and soft wheat at the rate of 300 cwt. per day. There were 12 employees at the mill.
In 1949 Howson's purchased another mill in Cargill which they used only as a feed mill.
The production at the 3 Howson facilities an smoothly until the spring of 1950 when the Wingham mill was struck by lightning
and burned to the ground. It was decided not to rebuild and the flour production was moved to Blyth with the feed production
split between Blyth and Cargill.
Throughout the 1950s the facilities, machinery and manpower increased. In 1952 the company employed 14 men and had a fleet
of 3 trucks. By 1957 flour production was up to 800 cwt. per day.
Fred's 4 sons James, William, Douglas and Bruce joined the firm from 1960-1972.
During the 1960s bulk handling equipment was installed for the feed mill and a pneumatic system for conveying product was
installed within the mill.
Bulk and bag fertilizer became a component of the business in 1966. By this time 75% of the product from the flour mill was
being shipped out by railway or transport. Weekly wages ran about $1800.
1967 saw not only the centennial of Canada, but also of Howson's. A new fertilizer warehouse and feed mill were opened. The
feed mill employed a new hammermill instead of an old plate grinder. The new system nearly tripled • capacity from 20 to almost 60
tons per day. Howson's employed 25 people and kept seven trucks.
The 1970s brought an association with Lancia Bravo Foods of Toronto supplying Durum Semolina and Durum .flour that is used
for spaghetti and noodles. The 1970s and 80s also saw the addition of warehouse, maintenance, elevator, silo, dryer, storage, a
grain roaster for roasting soybeans, and office facilities.
By 1989 the rail line between Goderich and Guelph was taken out ending railway traffic through Blyth.
The Lancia -Bravo company shut down their operation in Toronto and the Howson flour mill slowed down drastically.
The feed mill in Blyth was shut down and replaced with a new feed mill, warehouse and offices at the elevator site just out of
Blyth. A new fertilizer blending tower and unload drag and elevator was erected. Satake Debranners were added at the flour mill
to bring capacity to 6200 cwt. (360 metric tonne of wheat per 24 hours).
A new trucking company, Howson Transportation Incorporated was formed in 1999 and introduced the next generation of
Howson's - Steve, Jeff, Rick and Christopher.
Recent years have seen increased demand for Identity Preserved Soybeans and the installation of a new leg and receiving pit to
keep all varieties of white hilum soybeans separate. Howson & Howson Ltd. now employs 33 full-time and 3 part-time employees.
Howson Transportation Incorporated has 9 full-time and 6 part-time drivers.
Howson's, the business founded over a century ago when coal still powered mills, has now grown with the company handling
corn, soybeans (IP and GMO) white beans, red and white soft winter wheat and barley.
Howson & Howson Ltd. - a part of The Rural Voice since 1975
'MRural Voice
THE MAGAZINE OF AGRICULTURAL LIFE
Serving the Agricultural Heartland of Ontario for 30 Years
MAY 2005 3