Golden celebrations as Williams celebrates 50 years
1 May sees Williams Trade Supplies celebrate exactly 50 years since it opened its first branch in 1972.
The company was founded by Mick Williams when he left his job as a local plumbing contractor to help his dad, who had been left unable to drive after a car accident. The experience of collecting materials from merchants convinced him that he could do things better.
Managing Director Ray Stafford says: “When the business was founded in a corner shop in Portsmouth back in 1972, Roberta Flack was top of the pops, Bill Shankly took Liverpool to its first league title in seven years and Ted Heath was Prime Minister. A pint of beer cost about 15p, a pint of milk was just 5p and a gallon of petrol was 35p – that’s about 8p per litre.
“Fifty years on, much has changed but the core proposition of delivering noticeably better service to trade customers lives on in the Williams ethos.”
What started as a traditional, local merchant has grown into an independent national merchant that still holds true to its original values. Now employing more than 400 people and with 45 branches across the UK, Williams has no plans to slow down anytime soon.
Founder Mick Williams says: “Of all the accolades the company has achieved over the years – Business of the Year, the industry national customer service awards, being nominated by the London Stock Exchange as one of the country’s most inspiring businesses multiple times – the awards that I am most proud of are the company being recognised as one of the top 100 best companies to work for in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Roll on 2022.”
