By Annette McIntyre
Joseph Parr Bradford was launched just eight years ago – but it is part of a group which traces its history back more than a century.
Joseph Parr Group Ltd have been trading for more than one hundred years. The first depot was in Bootle, Merseyside, and that is still the site for the group’s head office.
The company was owned by Robert Allen Lomas who died in early 2021. It is still run as a family business by trustees and the Group Managing Director is Christine Jones.
The company now has branches in Scotland, the North-east, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Northamptonshire, and Bradford – which is the only branch in Yorkshire.
The Joseph Parr branches run independently of each other or in pairs. The Bradford and Oldham branches trade separately but under the joint name of Alco.
Joint Managing Director of the Bradford branch Michael Beaumont said: “The Bradford depot opened in July 2015 on the site that used to be a Lexus car garage. The site was bought having stood empty for several years and was transformed into a builder’s merchant. Situated on one of the main routes into the city the new depot helped improve the appearance for visitors to Bradford.
“Starting with nine staff and one delivery truck the number of staff and vehicles increased as the business grew. The depot operates five heavy goods delivery vehicles and employs 24 staff from Bradford and surrounding areas. The depot services customers daily throughout West Yorkshire and further afield into North and South Yorkshire on a regular basis.
“We have a dedicated Transport Manager and offer next day delivery. Our trucks are modern and comply with the Bradford Clean Air Zone. We are looking to go further and are currently looking at the feasibility of operating electric or hydrogen fuelled trucks.”
Customers are a mix of tradespeople, contractors, housebuilders, and developers – but the company says everyone is welcome.
They stock a wide range of timber and building materials and have specialist sales people to help with expert advice. In addition they stock a wide range of insulation products and can offer free advice on what to use and how to meet the building regulations.
For larger quantity orders they can also offer direct to site deliveries.
Michael said they have exceptional staff who provide a great service. They have five modern crane offload delivery vehicles, one of which is smaller and more versatile to deliver to customers with difficult access.
Michael said: “To provide this great service all our staff have continuous development and training for their roles.
“The branch has two members who have recently completed the Builder’s Merchant Federation course for Diploma in Merchant Management with distinction. Our Transport Manager has just completed the Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence course.
Our HGV drivers are fully trained and ALLMI accredited and have completed Driver CPC training.
“The Yard staff are fully trained to operate FLT, Combi-truck, Tele-trucks, and Saws. In addition, all our yard staff including Supervisors are undertaking apprenticeships. We have trained timber graders on site.
The sales staff attend regular product and sales training.
“Joseph Parr Bradford is committed to training staff for their current and future roles. We actively encourage staff development and internal promotion.”
The company is a sponsor of this year’s Bradford Business Awards.
Michael said: “I am delighted that we will be sponsoring the category of ‘New business of the Year’. Having opened as a company unknown in the area and in a competitive sector just eight years ago, this is a category close to my heart.
“I am hopeful too that our investment in staff and Bradford itself will see us nominated for the ‘Employer of the Year’ award at the Bradford Means Business Awards.”
