It is with utmost sadness that we report the unexpected death of Kevin Fowler, Founder and Managing Director of the Pavestone Group of Companies, at his home, following a sudden heart attack, on the morning of 28 July 2020.
A statement provided by Pavestone said:
Kevin’s career began with regional Oxfordshire business, Rogers Concrete and it was here that he acquired and honed his skills in both the manufacturing of concrete products and managing a workforce. Outgrowing this role and seeking a bigger challenge, he became Production Manager for Atlas Concrete Products at Chipping Camden, which having a national customer base and broader portfolio of concrete landscaping & building products, built further Kevin’s skill set. Later, as a key member of the Atlas management team he was instrumental in the management buy-out and subsequent sale of the business.
Having spent 20 years as a staunch producer of concrete, Kevin understood that the landscaping market was awash with similar concrete landscaping products and that homeowner enthusiasm for garden landscaping projects had never been greater. Recognising a potential market opportunity to substitute the sale of traditional concrete paving, with imported natural stone paving, Kevin believed the time was right for change.
He set about demystifying the products and marketing natural stone paving to builders merchants’ in ‘easy to lay’ patio project packs, through a newly formed company, Pavestone UK Limited. Seventeen years on, the three businesses trading as Pavestone, which include Bekstone and Paving Direct, today have a combined turnover of over £40 million.
However, when asked what he thought was his greatest accomplishment he would frequently respond that it was his family he was most proud of. Terry, his loving wife of 37 years and son Ben were his world and would always be his top priority. His son Ben had this to say of his dad: “My dad made me so proud. I have and will always look up to him. I have never met anyone who knew my dad, that over the years, he had not helped in some way, he was so kind. I am looking forward to continuing his legacy, with upmost pride and hope I can become half the man he was. He will be missed so much.”
People were important to Kevin and his extended ‘Pavestone family’ of employees could always count on his compassion and generosity when needed. A larger than life character, with a wicked sense of humour, Kevin was always the life and soul of the party and he will be sadly missed by us all.
All at PBM would like to echo these sentiments, and we extend our condolences to his colleagues, friends and, above all, his family.
