A New Era for Stockton

It is the dawning of a new era at Cromwell Stockton, with the relocation to a brand new purpose made premises in January 2008. "THANK YOU" to all the loyal Stockton staff and everyone else too who worked tirelessly prior and through the move from Ross Road, their former home since 1980.

After Wilberforce Road in Leicester, Stockton was only the second location and first true Cromwell “branch” to be set up by MG in the companies formative years and has had an eventful history since it’s opening thirty six years ago in 1972, when a young cockney bloke (customer’s description not ours) came north from Leicester prospecting for business. This was to be his first of many crusades across the country to expand his business into the most successful engineering supply network in the UK. MG was enjoying some great business from York Truck in Corby and it had been hinted to him that there would be similar pickings for him in their sister company York Trailer, in Northallerton, North Yorkshire. So Stockton Branch was born. Based on Leicester’s already successful formula of a corner shop converted into a store room/office with a small team dedicated to outshine the local opposition, who had had it too easy for too long.

By the turn of the New Year in 1980, Stockton Branch had established itself as a reputable and reliable supplier with the likes of I.C.I. and British Steel. As a consequence the once corner shop was proving to be too small, even after extending the offices into MG’s bedroom! New premises were found in Ross Road and as the branch was moved we parted from our first home with a turnover of £100,000 (a record) with a staff head count of eight. Not a bad turnover per head! The management team at that time was Derek Shell (now retired but back in harness), Terry Morgan and Geoff Hodgson (both still with us).

The next twenty eight years saw the successful development of the branch and a phenomenal growth in the size of Cromwell Group. The hard work and dedication of great staff was key to its progression. Other familiar names who helped achieve Stockton’s status were Bernie Easby, Paul Bennett, Ray Alderson (retired) and the late Ray Chalky White, all of whom developed Tyne & Wear branch from its concept. And still with us flying the flag at Stockton are many other long term and dedicated ‘Cromwellians’ - to name but a few Anthony Todd (Sales Manager), Mandy Goring (Business Manager), Simon Robinson (Trainee Manager), David Bennett (Contract Co-Ordinator), Judy Sockett (Delivery Driver), Keith Broadbent (Telesales Supervisor), Sue Blackett (Office Supervisor), Geoff Gray (External Sales), Geoff Cork (Engineer) and John Lowes (Engineer). Sorry if we missed anyone!

During the early years of the new millennium it was realised that Stockton must make yet another move, again the premises had been outgrown. The search for a new home eventually brought us to a plot of land not more than ½ mile from our branch and on the 2nd January 2008, after a typical Cromwellian effort from all staff, we opened our purpose made distribution centre. Early signs show that sales figures are stacking up very well and that Stockton, despite being in the same area for 36 years, is still building new business and new relations.