Marshalls

Location: Huddersfield

Turnover: Over £350 million

Building a worldwide reputation

Established in Halifax in the late 1880s, Marshalls started as a family firm quarrying stone for building materials. Now known as Marshalls plc, the company is the UK’s leading manufacturer of superior natural stone and innovative concrete hard landscaping products. Supplying the construction, home improvement and landscape markets, Marshalls is renowned as a world leader in its field.

By 1998, Marshalls was looking to relocate its headquarters. Determined to remain in the region, the company wanted to retain its Yorkshire heritage and loyal, skilled workforce. The Huddersfield site offered the perfect solution; a large old house with room for expansion set in beautifully landscaped gardens, providing an opportunity for Marshalls to showcase their world-famous products.

Commenting on the company’s location, Chief executive, Graham Holden said:

“The Huddersfield/Halifax region is the company’s historic centre.  Local transport infrastructure is excellent, with major motorway networks and rail links on our doorstep and we’ve always been able to recruit skilled, highly educated employees. So we feel that the question is really, why wouldn’t you locate your business here?”

Prestigious projects

It’s from the Huddersfield headquarters that Marshalls’ national and international operations are coordinated. Employing around 2,500 people, with 800 in West Yorkshire, Marshalls has a strong export division operating worldwide and even provided paving for Hong Kong’s Disneyland Resort.

The company has also undertaken numerous projects in London, including Trafalgar Square, the new Wembley Stadium and London street signage. Marshalls will also be working on the 2012 Olympic site.

Innovative products and projects

One reason for Marshalls’ global success is the company’s focus on research and development. Continually developing new products to solve construction issues, Marshalls was the first organisation to develop the Beany Block, providing drain and kerb in one unit.

Highly conscious of its impact on the environment and local communities, Marshalls has won numerous accolades for its corporate responsibility programme and biodiversity plans. To reduce its carbon footprint, the organisation recently introduced a carbon reduction programme, which includes carbon labelling its entire domestic product range, allowing customers to make informed decisions.

It’s an approach that makes good business, as well as environmental, sense, and is helping Marshalls to maintain its position as a world leading force in the industry.