R&H Hall, the oldest business in the Group, was founded in Cork in 1839. The company would later go on to become a listed plc in 1967 before being acquired by Origin in 1990, and in 2010 it merged with W&R Barnett to create Ireland’s largest grain importer.
Growing Beyond
Every day, our customers are going above and beyond to unlock the full potential of their land. At Origin Enterprises, we’ve been there right alongside them for 125 years, helping navigate every challenge and seize each opportunity.
We are Origin. Growing Beyond.
Our Heritage
1839: R&H Hall
1846: Goulding
In 1846, William Goulding and his brother Humphreys Manders founded W. & H. M. Goulding in Cork. Over time, the company expanded from its core fertiliser business into various non-related industries, before merging with Fitzwilliam Securities in a 1972 reverse takeover to become Fitzwilton plc. Origin later acquired the fertiliser business between 1985-1986.
1897: Foundation
The story of Origin Enterprises itself begins in 1897 with the foundation of the Irish Agricultural Wholesale Society (IAWS) by Sir Horace Plunkett, a visionary who is often regarded as the founding father of modern Irish agriculture. Plunkett was a pioneer of agricultural reform and a fervent advocate for cooperative movements, believing that the future of agriculture lay in collaboration and innovation. IAWS was established to provide essential supplies and inputs to Irish cooperatives, helping farmers achieve better farming practices, improve their livelihoods, and enhance the quality of their produce.
1897 – 1987: Expansion
Under Plunkett’s leadership, IAWS quickly became a cornerstone of the Irish agricultural landscape, expanding its activities from seed and fertiliser supply to encompass a broader range of agricultural products and services.
1988 – 2006: Evolution
In 1988, IAWS floated on the Irish Stock Exchange, and the capital raised drove significant growth. Over the next few decades, the new plc diversified and expanded its operations, acquiring businesses such as Cuisine de France in 1997. This activity ultimately led IAWS plc to evolve into a convenience food business in 2006.
2007: Focus
The strategic move of IAWS plc into convenience food led to the establishment of Origin Enterprises plc in 2007, a standalone entity focused on the original agricultural businesses of IAWS. The rest of IAWS plc then merged with a large Swiss bakery business in 2008 to become Aryzta.
2008 – 2020: Growth
The new Origin Enterprises plc began by acquiring a series of UK, Central Europe, and LATAM agronomy and soil nutrition businesses, establishing direct relationships with farms and growing to create a leader in on-farm advisory services and value-added inputs distribution.
2021 – 2024: Diversification
In more recent years, we have built out a complimentary Living Landscapes division to further solidify our position as a leader not only in agriculture, but across all types of land use. Kick-started in 2021 with the formation of Origin Amenity Solutions to consolidate the UK Sports market, the division has since been further established through strategic acquisitions in the Landscapes and Environmental sectors.
Origin Today
Today, Origin Enterprises stands as a testament to over a century of commitment to innovation, sustainability, and partnership. From humble beginnings serving Irish cooperatives, we have grown into a global force, helping customers around the world maximise the potential of their land while protecting it for future generations.
Our Strategy