The company James Pugh was originally founded in 1986 by Jim Pugh who wanted to set up his own warehousing, transport and distribution service that offered a high level of personalised, friendly service.
Jim’s approach to business clearly worked as the company has never looked back from its early days and it has grown over the years with a combination of grit, enthusiasm and focussing on the needs of the customer.
Jim decided to retire in the late 1990’s, and his son, Richard, who had been working in the business since it started, took over as Managing Director, maintaining the company philosophy and ethos in doing so. Ill health led to Richard’s death in 2016 followed by Jim’s death in September of the same year.
At the time, this was clearly a significant blow for the company, but all staff responded magnificently, and they pulled the company through at a very tricky time.
Dave Mather, who had been in the company since May 2002 took on the role of Managing Director and the whole team knuckled down and got on with running the business in a similar way to how it had always been.
During 2020 discussions were held with surviving family about undertaking a Management Buyout of the company. Those discussions came to fruition in January 2021 when the buyout was completed.
Chris Thirkell became Operations Director and a shareholder with Dave Mather remaining as Managing Director and majority shareholder.
The company maintain the same ethos that has always been in place; providing a friendly service that is both professional and personable.
The personal, family, touch is reinforced by the fact that both Dave and Chris have sons that work in the business along with Dave’s wife, Lisa.
As a great team, they will continue to develop and grow the company through the years.
DAVE MATHER
The majority shareholder and Managing Director, Dave has been with the business since 2002. He has been in the industry just about his whole life -apart from a brief spell as an Ice-cream man - with around fifty years’ experience. Dave has “seen it and bought the T-Shirt” in the industry, and has ‘seen it all!’.
CHRIS THIRKELL
A Shareholder and Operations Director, Chris has been with the business since 2014.
He is a devoted family man and has a wealth of experience in Warehousing Management and Systems. Chris runs the operation on a day-to-day basis and is totally committed to the business and its success.
TONY MARVILLE, STEVE LITTLER, DAVID MATHER (DAVE'S SON), KIAN THIRKELL (CHRIS' SON)
These are the Warehouse team and they have all been with the business a long time. They look after the Warehousing and loading of the vehicles with all the challenges that represents.They are a great team.
JANE COYLE, LISA MATHER (DAVE'S WIFE)
Jane and Lisa are our accounts team , Jane is the accounts manager and has been with us since April 2021, but by her own admission it feels like she has been with us forever, Jane has settled in with us now and is a key member of the team, Lisa works with us part time looking after PODs and invoicing she is an integral part of the team.
Our colleagues who are on the road for us five or six days a week are:
On 26 tonne chemical pump over trucks are Angus and Matt (Percy)
On 44 tonne trucks are Keiron, Martyn, Dirk, Brian and Rob
On 26 tonne trucks are Pauline, Paul (Venners), Andy Mac and John
Holiday and sickness cover is Andy
3.5 tonne van is Dylan and Brandon ( Chris' Sons )
A more dedicated team we could not wish for. Most have been with us for many years and they are the backbone of our business.
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