– Company HistoryThe company was started in 1859 – the same year as some other world greats!
In 1859, construction began on the Suez Canal, the first combustion engine was built in Belgium, petroleum was discovered in Titusville, Pennsylvania and Charles Darwin published ‘The Origin of Species’.
Adshead, which was originally named William Peter Adshead & Co. Ltd began trading from small premises in the centre of Belper. The daily journal from that year records the sale of £2.00 of polish to a merchant in Derby. Sales developed well for about 50 years and then in 1918 the goodwill and assets were purchased by Charles Coates Ratcliffe and Lewis Ratcliffe, who were already trading as C & L Ratcliffe Paint Manufacturers; however, it was not until 1944 that name Adshead Ratcliffe & Co Ltd came into being.
1859
The company was started
£ 2.00
The sale of polish to a merchant in Derby
50
Sales developed well for about 50 years
1918
The goodwill and assets were purchased by Charles Coates Ratcliffe and Lewis Ratcliffe
1944
The name Adshead Ratcliffe & Co. Ltd came into being
2007
Adshead Ratcliffe & Co. Ltd, an MBO was completed
90
90 years ownership in the Ratcliffe family’s
2017
The company becomes part of the CARLISLE CM Europe
In 2017, the company becomes part of the CARLISLE® CM Europe
In the early days, Linseed Oil Putty was the major product, and Arbolite became a well-known brand. From this product has grown the present wide range of sealants bearing the ARBO® brand.
In 2007 Adshead Ratcliffe & Co. Ltd – after being in the Ratcliffe family’s ownership for 90 years changed ownership after a successful MBO.
The company becomes part of the CARLISLE® CM Europe in 2017.
