History
1928
Maurice Firmin was running a business in London which included coach hire, a garage, and bicycle manufacture. He moved house to Marden, Kent, purchasing Underlyn farm along with 16 acres.
1937
Alan Firmin entered the transport business when he bought a small Ford truck to take livestock to market. From this beginning, the road haulage activity expanded with the delivery of a wide variety of farm related products. Latterly the company has concentrated on the general haulage marketplace.
1957
The company let space to the Royal Opera House for storage of scenery and stage props, thereby entering into a warehousing and commercial property business which has expanded significantly and forms a major element of the firm.
1962
Alan’s eldest son Paul joined the company straight from school, bringing with him a record haul of academic qualifications. He is now company chairman.
1965
Alan’s youngest son Ian joined the company, again bringing with him an array of academic achievements.
1967
Development of Wheelbarrow Park, Marden commenced. This site now comprises over 410,000 square feet of rented space. The company today owns a portfolio of rented space in excess of 650,000 square feet.
1992
First achieved BSEN ISO9002:1992 Quality Management System,
1996
Top Fruit Grower of the Year award,
1998
Haulage operation re-located from Linton to Snodland, to enable better motorway access.
2000
Paul’s son Michael joined the company. He is currently Managing Director.
New site developed at Snodland, which included 80,000 square feet of warehousing space
2006
Became a shareholder of the PalletForce network, to allow the company to offer a full range of distribution services to our customers
2007
New office block completed at Snodland for the Transport team,
Invest in and implement web-based transport management system – ORCHESTRATOR!
Paul Denyer appointed as company Director having joined the Company in 1997.
2008
In May of this year Alan Firmin Ltd won the Tesco Top Fruit Grower of the Year award, (UK).
November was a very special month for AlanFirmin Ltd as we were awarded the overall Fruit Grower of the Year for 2008, this covered all fruit supplied to Tesco from around the world.
2009
Successful transition in June to ISO9001:2008 for our Quality Management System, certificate FS 14033.
Building of new lavatory block at Wares Farm commenced
In this year Alan Firmin Ltd won the Knauf Drywall business and contracts were signed.
2010
Construction of a new 9,000 sq ft warehouse at Linton was completed for customer expansion.
Planning permission was granted for a further 16,000 sq ft of mixed industrial space at Wheelbarrow Park.
New site acquired for relocation of transport operation to Sittingbourne.
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