MASHAM, ENGLAND — I’Anson Brothers Ltd., a family-owned supplier of animal feeds based in the United Kingdom, has commissioned its Waterloo House feed mill and begun a phased build-up of operations.

The more than £20 million ($25.4 million) feed mill on the Dalton Industrial Park in North Yorkshire, England, is the largest investment in I’Anson’s nearly 125-year history, the company said in its Dec. 16 announcement. The project involved a decade of planning, and the mill was constructed over two years.

Waterloo House will focus on the production of bulk feed, providing consistency of supply to customers while complementing the company’s existing facility at Masham. The new facility also is designed so it can increase capacity to meet growing market demands.

The Masham mill will continue to produce quality compound animal feeds as well as concentrating on its micronizing business and its award-winning equine feed, which is exported to more than 46 countries.

“Commissioning and formal hand-over of the new mill is a highly significant occasion in the history of our business and for the UK feed industry as a whole,” said Sarah Richardson, managing director, I’Anson, and the fourth generation of the family to run the Masham, North Yorkshire-based company. “It is a milestone achievement made possible by the commitment of all our colleagues in the firm and the skilled and dedicated project partners and contractors that has brought this initiative to life.”

The Waterloo House mill was designed by Dutch milling industry specialists Ottevanger; ground works were handled by Harrogate-based contractor HACS; and equipment installation was completed by GAME Engineering, of Lincoln. It has been designed to be as energy efficient as possible and with the least environmental impact.

I’Anson Brothers is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of animal feeds, employs more than 100 people and has annual sales of more than £70 million ($88.85 million).