History

Some time around 1936 Henry Boddington lent £100 to a friend who was going to start up a plastics moulding business. Two years later, when the money was due to be paid back, it was not available, so, in lieu of the money, Henry Boddington took over two moulding machines and entered the world of plastics moulding. He moved from his premises in the Edgware Road to larger premises in Homerton High Street in London's East End and, in 1951, W H Boddington & Co Ltd was born.

In 1956 the business needed space to expand and W H Boddington moved to Horsmonden. The company shared the premises with the buses of Maidstone and District Motor Services Limited at an annual rent of £250. Henry then took George Hawkins, an engineer, into partnership as Managing Director. Working with their wives who were Finance Director and Administration Director, the company grew.

Ever Ready and Schermuly, now Pains Wessex, were among the largest accounts and very shortly afterwards Redland laid down the tool for their first plastic moulding. Two of these three customers remain in the top five to this day, with Redland Roofing systems being W H Boddington's largest customer.

The company continued to prosper as trade moulders, supplying a quality product at the right price and with a minimum of fuss.

By 1976 the business was flourishing having bought and expanded the premises and was employing about 120 people. In 1978 W H Boddington was sold to John James plc, which in turn, in 1979 was acquired by Wolseley-Hughes.