The Producers' Exchange was established in June 1913 when the association first elected its directors. Four main areas were developed and directors represented East Chilliwack, Rosedale and Camp Slough, Chilliwack, Sardis and Promontory and South Sumas. Their first president was George Israel Thornton, vice-president Ernest Arthur Orr and secretary-treasurer Chauncey Erwin Eckert. At the time of their formation the organization hoped that every producer in the Chilliwack Valley would join the association. The board itself would attempt to develop markets for local produce and to supply stock foods at cost to its members.
At the time of the Chilliwack Producers' Exchange takeover, the British Columbia branches of the Brackman - Kerr Company, were managed by Mr. F.B. Gibbs. Both Mr. Gibbs and Mr. H.M. Streight, superintendent of the mainland branches of the company assisted in the sales negotiation of the Chilliwack Producers' Exchange. With the acquisition of the three Chilliwack plants the Brackman - Ker holdings in the province of British Columbia rose to 20 plants. Amalgamated with Western Canada Flour Mills the company had branches across Canada including grain elevators, flour mills and feed mills.
During the conversion from the Chilliwack Producer's Exchange to Brackman - Ker, several retail goods were discontinued. The new business eliminated the sale of drygoods, hardware and shoes. Instead they concentrated on the sale of flour and feed, poultry and stock supplies, fertilizers and sprays.
On September 14, 1934, fire broke out at 12:30 A.M. and in its wake the fire claimed the Sardis branch of the Brackman - Ker Milling Company and the freight shed of the B.C. Electric Railway. The total loss amounted to $6500 but all was covered by insurance. The Brackman - Ker Company soon rebuilt their premises.
The Brackman - Ker Milling Company originated prior to 1878 when Henry Brackman and James Milne formed a partnership. Brackman had been a successful miner during the gold rush in the Cariboo. Together with James Milne, a Scottish miller, they built their first mill in North Saanich on Vancouver Island. In 1878, they started to manufacture oatmeal, however, the partnership was short lived and the company was dissolved in 1879. In 1880, David Russell Ker first became associated with Henry Brackman and by 1881 they formed a partnership. The partnership of Brackman - Ker was very successful and by 1886 prosperity allowed for the construction of warehouses and offices in Victoria that became the company's business centre. By 1914, after David Russel Ker had become the principal owner, upon the death of Henry Brackman in 1903, the annual business had increased from $25,000 per annum to $5,000,000 per year.
David Russell Ker was the son of the Honourable Robert and Jessie Ker. Robert Ker had been the Auditor General for the province of British Columbia between 1867 - 1879. His son David was educated at collegiate schools in Victoria and had prepared for his interests in the milling business by working at milling companies in Victoria and San Francisco. David Russel Ker died in Saanich July 13, 1923. By 1965 the Brackman - Ker Milling Company had become a division of Maple Leaf Mills.