about us

Established in 1954 we are the only company in the UK to provide a complete in-house service to the milk producer to convey milk from the cow to the crate. We have two branches our main being in Ripponden and our secondary smaller branch at Otley Auction Mart.

In 2023 the business was purchased by Clapham Agricultural Engineering a local Agricultural Dealership. This purchase offers multiple customer benefits expanding the overall range of services we can offer whilst maintaining the small business personal touch that our customers like.

Our History

1954

The seeds of Harry Travis (Rishworth) Ltd were sown well over half a century ago by Harry Travis, who became a sole trader after many years experience in the milk producer/retailer supply industry. He began by selling many of the items we still supply, namely milk bottles and milk bottle caps.

1970

By the early 1970’s the number of employees had grown to six, and with the acquisition of the business of John Gledhill the greater breadth of services was increasing to include silage and hay making machinery, as well as the milking machine business that was expanding quickly. Silage sheets, bags and baler twine also became seasonal favourites.

1980

In 1981 Mark Travis joined his father in the business and the decision was taken to become a limited company. It was also at this time that milk processing equipment became part of the stock in trade of the business.

The demand for semi-skimmed milk began and our range was expanded to include homogenizers and cream separators.

1990

The early 1990’s saw the company expanded operations by acquiring the shop in Otley at the Auction Mart.

2006

In 2006 Harry Travis decided that it was time for him to step down as a director of the company. We took a momentous decision in 2008 to move the Head Office two miles down the road to Ripponden.

The upheaval of this was a strain on staff and customers alike but it was well worth while the effort to get some flat land where a forklift could be used and enough space to be able to service the needs of our customers more efficiently.

2023

In September 2023 Mark Travis decided it was time to step down as director of Harry Travis (Rishworth) Ltd and he sold the company to a small local firm Clapham Agricultural Engineering.