Hanson family returns to its roots with new business venture

Hanson Family Holdings is to set up a new business with storage specialist pH Europe.

Initially, the new firm Hanson PH will offer companies a wide range of specialist plastic crates, boxes and pallets. Once this is up and running, the two companies are planning a number of other joint ventures.

Hanson PH will operate out of Hanson Logistics' site off Leeds Road in Huddersfield and the sales team will operate out of pH Europe's offices in Edgerton, Huddersfield.

Initially, Hanson PH will focus on the distribution of a range of long-life crates meeting any number of requirements from stacking, nesting, heavy duty, lightweight, large and small.

Hanson PH's sales director Jack Cleghorn said the group will target small to medium enterprises such as fruit and vegetable suppliers, bakeries, offices and engineering companies.

"Basically, it's anything that goes in a plastic box," he said. "We'll have the widest range in the market place. The quality of the product is second to none and we can deliver very quickly."

The new company, which is launching on January 31, will stock and distribute long-life plastic boxes, crates and pallets in an exclusive deal with Schoeller Arca Systems, the world's largest manufacturer of reusable plastic transit-packaging.

Schoeller has already passed on a number of clients to the new group.

Hanson PH anticipates strong growth over the coming years as the UK emerges from recession and more companies adopt reusable packaging to reduce waste and deliver goods cost-effectively.

Mr Cleghorn said the new venture will create a number of new jobs in Huddersfield.

Asked about the other joint ventures planned by the new company, Mr Cleghorn said it was too early to say, but they will be compatible with the group's packaging roots.

The Hanson family business interests originated during the mid 1800s in the cobbled streets of Longwood, Huddersfield with Mary Hanson carrying wool and textiles by packhorse between Longwood and Huddersfield.

The current chairman's grandfather went on to transform the small haulage business into an international conglomerate, including petrol stations under the Jet Petroleum brand, car and coach hire, a school of motoring, a property company and a travel company

Lord Hanson, who was chairman of the company prior to his son the Hon Robert Hanson, set up Hanson plc with Lord White.

The pair transformed Hanson plc into a global multi-billion pound conglomerate before it demerged in the late 1990s.