Hovis

Hovis Ltd is a British company that produces flour, yeast and bread. Created by miller Richard "Stoney" Smith at his small mill in Stone, Staffordshire (Smith's mill still exists, behind the town's Morrisons supermarket), it began mass-production when Smith partnered with the larger Fitton & Sons mill in Macclesfield in 1886. Hovis specialises in high wheatgerm wholemeal flour, the bread being baked independently. It also produces the Nimble brand reduced-calorie bread. Owner Endless LLP agreed a sale of the firm in August 2025 to Associated British Foods for £75m, however it was expected to be brought before the Competition and Markets Authority.