As we gear up to celebrate 50 years in business, we thought we’d look back over the years at Macadams…
Doug initially began his career as an apprentice mechanic, before buying his very first recovery truck and setting up his own business. His first truck, bought from his former employer Bedford JO, cost less than £1200; nowadays a similar truck would cost £55,000.
Doug began working from his family home, the Stableyard at Oaklands in Barrowford, repairing and recovering vehicles. The business began to quickly flourish and before long Doug had to relocate to a larger premise in Nelson and then again to the Hyde Park Garage in Colne.
Over the course of the next 20 years, the business began to increase in popularity and created a solid, recognised brand, meaning it once again outgrew its premises, but managed to retain its base in Colne by expanding into the unit next door.
Eventually, the ideal premises for John Macadam and Son became available, and the company saw a great opportunity to expand even further, and call this site ‘home’.
Some 50 years later and John Macadam and Son is a popular repair and recovery company, with recovery vehicles commonplace up and down the region’s roads 24/7; the business boasts six depots across the North West, including its head office in Colne, and other sites in Blackpool, Morecambe, Ripon, Keighley and Carlisle.
Offering a 24-hour breakdown and HGV recovery service is an essential and thriving aspect of the business. The Macadams Trucks travel across the North West, recovering and rescuing broken down or damaged vehicles, servicing them on site, or even towing them to its workshop to work on the repairs.
Employing just over 115 members of staff, including various members of the Macadam family, there is a friendly, yet professional feel to the business.
Doug and the directors of the company hope to continue the successful growth over the last five decades; expanding the workforce further and offering its services to an even wider market.
And there will even be a small celebration in November to toast a fantastic 50 years!