Muntons, the Stowmarket based malt and malted ingredient manufacturer, is kicking off a year of celebrations marking its 100th year in business.
Muntons’ Stowmarket headquarters
Among the maltster’s plans is a family fun day for team members, an Olympic torch inspired event that will see the Muntons flag travel the globe, with all colleagues signing it, and the creation of a 100-year woodland area. A tree will be planted for every team member based at Muntons’ headquarters.
From origins in Bedford, Munton Baker-Munton family established the maltster on 27th September, 1921. Breaking away from the family business, which had been trading malt and grains since the 1800s, they aimed to meet the needs for malt extract within the brewing and food industries.
Over the last 100 years, Muntons has embarked on a continuous transformation alongside the ever-evolving food and drinks market. As a key ingredient found in beer, whisky, breads, confectionery, and cakes, to name just a few, resiliency, adaptability, innovation, and accomplishment have been key in Muntons’ journey. This mentality has allowed the business to support its customers and embrace product development.
Business founder Munton Baker Munton
Fast forward 100 years and Muntons is well established in the malt and malted ingredients industry, supplying products to some of the world’s most loved food and drink brands. Now based in the Suffolk countryside, it has its second maltings in Bridlington, with a peating malt plant in Tithe Top, also in Yorkshire.
Internationally, it exports its products to more than 90 countries, has offices in Singapore and the Netherlands, a plant in Thailand, and a sales operation in the USA.
For over 30 years, Muntons has consistently focused on its sustainability commitments, rising to the challenge of being a responsible global player in the malt industry. More recently, construction of a bio-energy plant at its Cedars Maltings, at Stowmarket, has started.
The plant, which is being developed in partnership with AMP Clean Energy and Vital Energi, is near completion and will reduce carbon emissions by more than 50%, allowing the headquarters site to become fully self-sufficient for heat. This is the second bio-energy site that the business has invested in. The first started to operate at its Flamborough Maltings in Bridlington in 2019.
A Muntons tanker taking on a load back in the day
Muntons’ managing director, Mark Tyldesley, said: “To be going strong for 100 years is an achievement that all of us at Muntons are incredibly proud of. Supporting customers with the creation of some of the world’s favourite food and drink for a century is an honour and underlines how passionate we are about malt.
“Our team members play a huge role in the strength of our business. We’re fortunate to have some of the best experts in the industry, some of whom have been with us for over 40 years! These colleagues ensure they pass this knowledge down to the next generation of malt specialists.
“It means a great deal to all of us to be a much-trusted maltster both in the UK and abroad, and so I extend my thanks to our loyal customers, suppliers and team members who have made this possible.”
