2025 is an exciting year for the Nicholls & Clarke Group (N&C) as it proudly celebrates its 150th anniversary. Founded in 1875, it has grown from strength to strength in the building materials industry, embarking on a journey that took it from being a single site builders and glass merchant from Shoreditch High Street, London into a national distributor, manufacturer, retailer, exporter of various building materials, while continually growing as a builders’ merchant.
Nicholls & Clarke was formed in 1875 as a glass, lead, oil and colour merchant by Sam Nicholls. The company, based in Shoreditch for 120 years, have diversified in more ways than one, becoming the chosen providers of building supplies across many market sectors, including commercial, residential, RMI and retail, with their brands used in many significant and high-profile projects, says the company. Today, the business operates with 16 retail showrooms, four distribution centres, five manufacturing facilities, over 60 private commercial vehicles, over 30 national executives and over 400 employees employed in the UK and Europe.
Many of the original core values remain within Nicholls & Clarke, instilled by the forefathers of the business, Sam Nicholls and Henry Clarke, says the company. It adds: ‘It’s the people throughout history who’re at the heart of Nicholls & Clarke, who’ve driven its success.’ ‘From the skilled craftsmen and professionals of the early days to the talented chemists, the experts with incredible experience built over the years, the new members bursting with ideas and enthusiasm, the customer facing team that help inspire and provide solutions, the operatives that fuel the operation, the scientific discoveries in the labs over the 150 years that have enabled them to be recognised as inventors and innovators within our markets.
‘In a business where voices are heard, the board continue to hold true many of the values that have reigned over the decades, with an open-door policy to enable the passion of our team to continue to strengthen the business and to pave the way for the next 150 years.’
It’s this spirit of curiosity and improvement that has forever been a cornerstone of the business’ growth, driving ability to meet the challenges of an ever-changing marketplace, says the company. Fostering long-term relationships with customers, suppliers, and industry partners, the company says it has built a robust foundation that ensures continued success. It adds: ‘the ability to adapt and grow has enabled the business to thrive for a century and a half.’
According to David Forbes chairman of Nicholls & Clarke Group, he says: ‘It has been the expertise, commitment, and passion of our people that has remained evident throughout history, they have been fundamental in shaping the company we are today. It has also been about adapting to market, going against the tide sometimes and staying relevant to our customers and industry.’
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