Member Article

Yorkshire firm shines like a diamond

A well known Calderdale company is celebrating its 60th anniversary.

And business shows no signs of slowing down for C&R Maintenance Services Ltd as it continues to make its name on the north of England property care stage.

The company, which is based at Holmfield Mills, Halifax, was started in 1955 by the late Leslie Chippendale who branched out on his own to make garden sheds and called the company C&R Construction. Six decades down the line the family firm has diversified and now specialises in refurbishments and disabled adaptions for councils and healthcare specialists.

It works for well known names like BUPA, Four Seasons, Leonard Cheshire and European Care. Local authorities it is working with include Leeds, Calderdale, Bradford and Kirklees.

The firm is recognised as a market leader in Yorkshire in the property care industry and boosts a £2.5million pound turnover. It is now owned by Leslie’s son, Matthew Chippendale, and third- generation family member, James Chippendale is sales director.

Leslie went from making garden sheds to asbestos and concrete garages and were so successful they become one of the biggest garden shed and garage manufacturers in the country.

When integral garages became the fashion, the company moved on to make portable buildings and had to move premises several times to cope with expansions but has always remained loyal to the Yorkshire area.

Leslie and his wife, Margaret had four children, Debbie, Stephen, Martin and Matthew who all worked in the business over the years. James is Martin’s son. Matthew first joined the company in 1981 before working elsewhere to gain more experience. He returned in 2006, when his dad, became ill, and set up C&R Maintenance Services Ltd.

The company offers maintenance contracts for councils and other firms, along with home refurbishments and extensions for the private individual.

Matthew, who is 52, plans to celebrate the diamond anniversary with his family and work colleagues, including his mum, Margaret, who turns 80 this year. They are gathering together early memorabilia, which will go on show in the boardroom .

“Sixty years really is a milestone and I know my dad would thrilled to know the name C&R still lives on. Like all companies we have been through tough times but we’ve managed to ride the wave and come out the other end

“We have recently won several big new contracts, including one to refurbish student accommodation in Sheffield. The fact that we are in such a strong trading position is due to the team here at C&R Maintenance Services Ltd and the family who have supported the business over the years. The future looks rosy and I hope we will be around for another six decades,” said Matthew.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Carmel Harrison PR .