Micron2: The Full Story

This firm was started in about 1960 by Dr. Harry Harvey although we are not sure what it was called at that time. Dr Harvey had worked in industry especially during WW2 when he covered virtually all of the food industry. He later worked for the then BFMIRA, later known as Leatherhead Food R.A. and when he went into business for himself established two food laboratories, one in Manchester and one in Harpenden.

At an early stage Dr. Harvey began working on contract for SPAR UK Ltd, carrying out testing of their own label products and inspecting their suppliers. This carried on for some years until Dr Harvey decided to retire to Canada, where he still lives. WE still work for SPAR to this day.

1984-1988

He sold the business to Michael Ranken in 1984. Michael was also an ex-Leatherhead Food RA man and had also had lengthy spells with Heinz and Buxted. He was Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and an active member of the IFST. At this time the business was called “Michael Ranken Services”. To add to his achievements Michael was also an ordained priest. Sadly Michael died in 2003 and is still sorely missed by all who knew him.

1988-2001

Dr. Ron Kill appeared on this scene in 1988. Following spells with supermarkets and a manufacturer/importer of pasta he set up as an independent consultant. His early clients included Countrywide Catering and Farmfoods and some sub-contracted work for Michael. On the very first day of 1990 Michael and Ron became partners, pooled their resources and their names to become “Micron Laboratories”. The laboratory was accredited soon after and moved into larger premises as the business expanded.

Michael retired in 1997 and Ron took over as Senior Partner. The business continued for several years as a testing Laboratory based in Luton, Beds while the Inspection and Consultancy was run from an office in Shropshire. Both sides of the business did very well and accreditation as an Inspection Body for the original BRC Standard also followed.

2001-

In 2001 the laboratory side of the business was sold to ALcontrol leaving the Inspection and Consultancy side. We wanted to keep the Micron name but had to lose the “Laboratories” tag, so Micron2 was born. In 2003 we moved to our lovely canal-side offices at Betton Mill and during 2007 we incorporated and became Micron2 Ltd. The business has changed of course and what was an inspection business became an audit and certification business. At the same time training became a part of what we do.

Our horizons have literally broadened  as well and we now have registered auditors working from France, Greece, Italy and China as well as the UK. Although we no longer have a laboratory we do have a test kitchen facility here and a training room.

2012: James Kill became a Director of the Company.

2015: Accreditation to carry out BRC Global Standard for Agents and Brokers audits