1880
The origins of our pure sugars expertise
Aged only 20, Charles Eastick, with his brother John Joseph at 25, excited by sugar’s recent rise into ubiquity in British life, begins a sugar analysis and consulting practice in the centre of London.
98 years of manufacturing bulk pure sugars for industry.
From a sugar analysis practice in London in 1880 to Europe’s largest independent privately owned sugar manufacturer of specialist industrial pure sugar ingredients.
1880 to 1919
A chemist’s laboratory
1882
Lyle and Easticks collaborate
Impressed by their ground-breaking work, Abram Lyle invites the Eastick brothers to set up a laboratory at his new Plaistow Wharf refinery.
1883
The birth of a legend: Golden Syrup
Tough times bring sugar production to a near halt. Charles begins to experiment with the by-products of the refining process. Golden syrup is born.
1885
Product and packaging innovation
Golden syrup is packed for the first time into what would become iconic metal tins.
1890
A focus on refining production processes
John leaves to oversee the Bundaberg cane sugar production in Australia. Charles runs production at the Martineaus’ Whitechapel refinery, in the heart of London’s sugar industry.
1914
Sugar supply is maintained during wartime
Britain edges closer to war. Charles devotes his time to maintaining the sugar supply during rationing, and later receives an MBE for services to his country.
1919
The Eastick family survives industry consolidation
Sugar refineries are struggling and consolidating. Charles and his family’s 11 sugar refining patents, along with their hard work, allow theirs to thrive.
1928 to 1950
A factory in Slough
1928
The origins of Ragus as we know it today
Charles begins to make specialist sugars and fruit-based cordials in a dedicated factory he has built in Slough, west of London: the precursor to the first Ragus factory.
1930
Production innovation continues with invert sugars
Charles merges the Slough factory with another of his companies to produce inverted sugars: a sweeter, moist sugar perfect for baking and confectionery. This merged operation becomes the Ragus of today.
1930s
A second generation of the Eastick family joins
Charles’ two sons join him: Douglas at Ragus and Fredrick as MD at Martineaus, in which the family has a 50% shareholding.
1939
Golden syrup drives further invention
With WWII brewing, fruit is no longer available as a main raw material. This inspires the first branded product, Golden Shower, a honey alternative made from crystallised golden syrup.
1940s
Maintaining wartime sugar supplies
Douglas serves his country in WWII, in charge of the RAF barrage balloons over Felixstowe docks where the sugar is making its way into the port.
1950
Growth and a third generation of Easticks
Post-war demand for sugar soars. Grandsons Barrington and Ronald take over Ragus and introduce crystallised candy feed for apiaries and crystallised animal feed for farms.
1961 to 1990
Family-owned and growing
1961
Consolidating the family’s sugar interests
Charles’ son Fredrick and his son Bernard sell their shares in Martineaus and its Whitechapel refinery, and Hammersmith-headquartered refiners Manbré & Garton take over.
1970
Product diversification and sales drive growth
Ragus begins to sell industrial quantities of sugar syrups and raw cane sugars, supplying manufacturers making biscuits and baked goods for high street retail chains. The workforce almost doubles.
1978
Ragus reaches its 50th birthday
At 50, Ragus is the UK’s last independent sugar manufacturer. The family celebrates its golden jubilee.
1980s
Customer demand for continuity of supply fuels expansion
Ragus builds sales on the reputation won during the unrest of the 70s as a reliable industrial sugar supplier. The Slough factory expands further.
1990
A fourth generation takes over
Ronald and Barry retire, with the great grandsons of Charles Eastick, James, Peter and Benjamin, continuing their great grandfather’s hard work.
1990s to 2013
Blue-chip customers, global reach
1990s
Growth and diversification of blue-chip customers
Ragus adds more brewers and pharmaceutical companies as well as food and beverage manufacturers. Increased production pushes the limits of the existing factory.
2006
Eastick’s Golden Syrup becomes the second Ragus branded product
A customer required a quality branded product for its trade outlets. Ragus created the Eastick’s Golden Syrup brand in iconic tins and wholesale packaging.
2010s
Quality and customer service underpin growth
More focus on industrial sourcing and sales of liquid sugars, treacles and molasses, as more global household food and beverage brands join as customers.
2013
Full-service international operation
Benjamin, James and Peter develop Ragus from a largely UK-focused business into a full-service international operation.
2013
A new factory services global operations
The new multi-million-pound, state-of-the-art factory manufactures industrial quantities of pure sugar products, distributing to customers all over the world every day.
2017 to 2023
Responsibility and resilience
2017
A new generation with new responsibilities
In October 2017, Henry Eastick, Charles’ great-great-grandson, joins Ragus to champion responsibility, develop corporate philanthropy and support efficiencies in the manufacturing environment.
2022
Rethinking “just in time” supply
As customer dependency on products such as molasses increases, Ragus expands its supply chain partnerships and bulk storage capabilities to ensure continuity of supply during the pandemic and resulting global sugar market volatility.
2023
Global procurement underpins international operations
Ragus responsibly sources and imports industrial quantities of primary cane and beet sugars and molasses from around the world that meet the highest quality and traceability standards.
2023
A history still in the making: Ragus reaches 95
September 2023 marks the 95th anniversary of Charles Eastick’s incorporation of the company that became Ragus: Europe’s largest independent privately owned sugar manufacturer of specialist industrial pure sugar ingredients for global brands.
How 98 years of experience shows up today.
Sourcing is at the heart
Responsibly grown and processed primary cane and beet sugars from African, Asia Pacific, Caribbean, European and South American approved suppliers.
Bulk manufacturing expertise
Our factory team manufactures high volumes of pure sugar syrups and crystallines using custom-engineered plant and machinery. Every batch is quality tested in our production laboratory.
A seamless supply chain
Delivery is the final stage of the sugar beet and sugarcane journey, from our suppliers to customers in the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries.
Ethical standards
Our approach to responsible sourcing and traceability reflects 98 years of heritage as an independent business, procuring natural cane and beet sugars.
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830 Yeovil Road
Berkshire SL1 4JG
England
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