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 became part of Rank Hovis McDougall (RHM) in 1962 after a succession of mergers. RHM, with its brands including Hovis and Mother's Pride, was acquired by Premier Foods in 2007. In April 2014 it became a limited company after Premier Foods sold a 51% stake in the business to The Gores Group to form a joint venture between the two companies.

In November 2020, it was announced that both the Gores Group and Premier Foods had sold their stakes in the business to British-based private equity firm Endless LLP. Endless 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.

Hovis specialises in high wheatgerm wholemeal flour, the bread being baked independently. It also produces the Nimble brand reduced-calorie bread.