Demos Ciclitira Ltd is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026 while sister business George Harker has reached the exceptional milestone of 200 years.
The anniversaries were marked at Demos Ciclitira’s Essex premises, where colleagues, past employees and guests gathered to celebrate the history of the two businesses and the people who have contributed to their success.
A commemorative plaque was unveiled by Gerald A. McDonald, with speeches from Demos Managing Director Rebecca King, Maxim McDonald and Braintree Councillor Richard van Dulken.
Demos Ciclitira was established in 1926 and has grown and developed considerably during its century in business.
Today it operates as a food ingredients company, importing, processing, washing, chopping, blending and packing ingredients for food manufacturers, bakeries, wholesalers and other businesses.
From its Essex facility, Demos operates five flow-wrap packing lines, two bulk fruit washers and chopping facilities alongside manual hand packing, storage and distribution.
The business achieved BRCGS AA+ in 2026 and became part of the Gerald McDonald Group in 2025.
Its sister business George Harker can trace its history back even further to 1826. Celebrating its bicentenary means the company is entering its third century of trading.
The anniversary event provided an opportunity to recognise the generations of people who have worked with the businesses during their long histories, including employees, customers and suppliers.
Guests enjoyed food and refreshments alongside the plaque unveiling, speeches and photography commemorating the occasion.
For Demos, reaching its centenary represents both an opportunity to celebrate its history and the beginning of a new chapter as part of the Gerald McDonald Group.
The business continues to operate from Essex, combining the experience accumulated over a century in the food ingredients industry with the quality, food safety and processing standards required by today’s customers.
With Demos beginning its second century and George Harker its third, the two anniversaries represent a remarkable 300 years of combined business heritage.
