The company as we know it today was founded in 1922,
however one must go back another 37 years to 1885 to
find its true origins.
In 1885 a partnership was formed between Alfred Henry
Evans and William Hood, trading simply as Evans and
Hood. Mr. Gray who had a reputation for a unique brilliance
in commodity trading joined them in 1890.
During and immediately following the First World War
the partnership was joined by the sons of Mr. Evans
and Mr. Hood, and on the 10th of March 1922 Evans, Gray
& Hood Ltd. (EGH) was registered.
At this time the company's strength and dominance was
in Crude Drugs which continued to play a significant
part in their activities until the inception of the
National Health Service following the Second World War.
Over much of this period Crude Drugs represented 80
to 90% of the company's turnover with Spices accounting
for the balance.
Olive Oil was responsible for continued growth from
the mid-1930s until as recently as 1975. At the time,
EGH had built up a considerable business in Olive Oil
initially to food manufacturers and in more recent times
to retail outlets as well.
In 1950 the company was joined by Mr. Hood junior's
son-in-law Lionel Sachs. Within a year of Mr. Sachs
joining the company he started trading in Eastern Specialty
Foods. During the 1950s and 1960s the exclusive relationships
were established with Ferns and Linghams. It was Mr.
Sachs who negotiated the takeover of EGH with Kimpton
Brothers Ltd., which was finalised in May 1975.
Today, Evans Gray & Hood operates its business in two
main sectors. These are Botanical
Ingredients and Ethnic
Foods. With a strong customer base and an excellent
working relationship with top suppliers, the company
is a market leader in both categories.
