Rakusen’s was founded at the turn of the century by Lloyd Rakusen.
Lloyd Rakusen was a Jeweller by trade, and to this day a pocket watch shape is incorporated into the Company trademark.
Each Passover he would bake Matzos in a back room of his house. His business prospered, and in the early 1930’s a large factory was built in Leeds, where he was joined by his sons.
Lloyd Rakusen died in 1944, and the business continued to be carried on by his family.
In 1973 the Company bought Bonn & Co., who also made Matzo products at the premises of Carrs of Carlisle. Bonns products continued to be made in Carlisle until the range was eventually discontinued.
In 1978 Rakusens was acquired by United Biscuits, and soon afterwards Rakusen products came under the supervision of the London Beth Din, and leading UK Ecclesiastical Authorities.
In 1983, following a management buyout, the Company left United Biscuits to return to private ownership, a status it still enjoys. Further expansion took place with the acquisition of the Tomor brand of Kosher Margarine in 1987, and Kippax Biscuits and Vegetarian World in 1989. Although Kippax Biscuits was sold a few years later, it still produces Rakusen’s Kosher Biscuits under their Rabbinical Supervision. Vegetarian World makes all Rakusen’s soups and beans.
The Company now operates from a modern factory on the outskirts of Leeds, where it combines the most stringent demands of Kashrus with up to date methods of food production.
On site Religious Supervisors are in attendance all year round, to ensure all stages of production comply with Kosher Standards, before Rakusens products are distributed to shops and supermarkets throughout the world.
All Rakusens products continue to be approved by the London Beth Din and leading Ecclesiastical authorities in the United Kingdom and Abroad.
