Elliotts Builders Merchants is celebrating 175 years of business, having been established on 1st October 1842.
Still family owned 175 years on, the company is now being run by the 6th generation of the Elliott-family, Tom Elliott, with 5th generation Stuart Mason Elliott as company chairman. And according to familybusinessunited.com, Elliotts is the 111th oldest family business in the world.
Tom Elliott, Managing Director, says, “It’s a huge milestone and a great time to take stock of why we have been successful. I feel proud to be a custodian of the business and play my part in making its future. Not many people in the world can say they run a 175-year-old family business – it’s a unique and very special business that I am honoured to lead. The team we have are incredible and our customers are extremely loyal.”
First established by Thomas Elliott in 1842 at Millbank Wharf in Northam, the site is still the company head office today with an additional 12 branches across Hampshire and Dorset. Over the last 175 years the business has supplied materials to some of Hampshire’s most important developments and infrastructure projects.
Tom reflects: “What makes the team and I really proud is that when we drive around the region we see the impact that our business has had on Hampshire. From the wonderful Prudential Building on Above Bar in Southampton to new developments like Centenary Quay, our materials, advice and support have played a small part in making Hampshire one of the top places to live in the UK.”
Over time Elliotts has acquired other successful businesses including; Blanchards Brickworks (Bishops Waltham) in 1956, H.G. Webber & Son (Ringwood) in 1981, Fordams (Fordingbridge) in 1989 and most recently Hardley’s Kitchen and Bathrooms (Lymington) in 2015.
With continued growth in the last few years, the company has also seen significant success and has achieved national recognition, for example winning the Property and Construction Family Business of the Year at the Family Business United awards in London in 2015.
“Our success has been built on putting our customers first and providing them with the best possible price, convenience, knowledge and stock availability”, says Tom. “Working with the brilliant builders of the south, we help make homes, schools, hospitals and workspaces and I am proud Elliotts plays this key role in the region’s growth and prosperity.”
The original Elliotts offices were bombed during the Second World War in 1941, resulting in the company losing many of their historical photographs and documents. Accordingly, Elliotts is particularly keen to hear from customers, previous employees and the local community with their photos and memories of the company. People are encouraged to pop into branch or send pictures and thoughts to marketing@elliotts.uk
The main picture shows: A selection of images from Elliotts’ history, including founder Thomas Elliott, and featuring a special anniversary logo.
