1946

Hillsyde Foundry (Staffordshire) Ltd. was founded by Sydney Lee on 8th November 1946, located in Harriseahead, near to Mow Cop, Biddulph.

Originally producing Aluminium castings such as single cap toy guns for Woolworths, it then changed to Cast Iron and supplying local Engineering companies in the Pottery and Coal mining industry, which eventually led to expanding into the general engineering industry with castings for Pumps, Compressors, Gearboxes, Axles and Conveyors.

1956

Hillsyde Foundry incorporated on 18th December 1956.

1974

Chesterton site was purchased as the Harriseahead site was only 1/3 acre and the company needed to expand.

1977

Chesterton site opened and started production in August starting with only 7 employees, 3 of whom were from Harriseahead.

1980

1983

First sand reclamation plant installed and Broxap can now reclaim 80% of all sand used, as previously all waste sand was thrown away to landfill sites.

1984

First one million pound sales year.

1985

Began to manufacture Street Furniture castings for Broxap and Corby Ltd, as well as Dorothea Ltd.

1991

Achieved ISO 9001 Quality Management certification.

1992

In August, Hillsyde Foundry purchased Manchester based Broxap and Corby Ltd who were a Street Furniture sales and marketing company, as annual sales reached £7 million.

1994

Relocated Broxap and Corby Ltd to Chesterton site.

1996

Installed Thermal reclamation plant, meaning Broxap can now reclaim 98% of all sand used (1000 ton per week). We began the shirt sponsorship for Stoke City FC.

1998

In February, Hillsyde Foundry purchased Derby based Streetscene Ltd, (a competitor of Broxap and Corby) and relocated it to Chesterton.

1999

Hillsyde Foundry was awarded ISO 14001 Environmental achievement certification. In August we purchased Buxton based Dorothea Ltd, a competitor of Broxap and Corby Ltd who was also a designer / manufacturer / and installer of Architectural steel structures.

The following October, Hillsyde Foundry purchased Southport based Mawrob Ltd, a manufacturer of Cycle parking shelters and ancillary products.

2000

In September the Hillsyde Foundry (Staffordshire) changed its name to Broxap Ltd.

2002

In March, Broxap Ltd purchased Southport based Bollards Ltd who were a manufacturer of Polyurethane Bollards, Posts and Railings, and relocated it to Chesterton.

The following October, Broxap purchased Nottingham based B&B Ltd, a manufacturer of Steel litter bins.

2003

Annual sales reached £10 million.

2004

In January, Broxap purchased Nottingham based Easthigh Ltd who then were a manufacturer of Steel litter bins, and a competitor to B&B Ltd.

It was also in this year that Broxap began trading on the internet and set up a Powder Coating plant and Annual sales reached £13 million. 

2005

In February, Broxap purchased Newcastle-upon-Tyne based CEL Ltd, a manufacturer of cloakroom and changing room equipment.

Began the shirt sponsorship for Port Vale FC. Annual sales reached £17.5 million.

2006

In February Broxap purchased Wrexham based Maelor Trafflex, an assembler and distributor of Plastic Litter Bins.

In April Broxap purchased the adjacent Offices and Workshop of Latham Eng.  Annual sales hit £24million.

In November Broxap acquired Cosy Kennels, Dog kennel and Cattery System Design, Manufacturing and Sales.

2007

In January acquired Kennel and Cattery Solutions. Dog Kennel and Cattery design and sales. In October Broxap achieved OHSAS 18001 accreditation.

We purchased 1.4 acres land (semi-circular) for car parking and built a new office block and transferred all staff in December.  Annual sales £30 million.

2008

In April Broxap purchased Hand Made Places Ltd, specialists in the design, manufacture, supply and installation of hand made timber playground equipment and outdoor furniture for learning and fun. The following October acquired the assets Bollards Tech Ltd.

December 15th we acquired Canine Kennels Ltd finishing the year with Annual sales reaching £41 million.

2009

April 2009 Stadia Sports was aquired.

Broxap extended workshops to cover old Cupola and yard areas, installed pallet racking in all areas, creating a warehouse.

June and October saw the purchases of Base Leisure and House in Cambridgeshire.

December 18th purchased Playline design Ltd followed by December 21st when Broxap acquired the commercial assets of Carr Sports (Nottingham).

2010

February. Purchased Install Sports.

June.  Purchased the orderbook of "Rourks Contracting Division". (Post and Rail).

September. Purchased Edwards Sports Products Ltd.

2011

November 4th, acquired Keep It Kool Ltd

2012

March 22nd.  Acquired Evans of Longton.

Current Sites:

CHESTERTON. The head office houses; Administration, Sales office, Drawing office, Graphic design, and 5 workshops, Polyurethane, Steel Fabrication, Seat, Cloakroom, Kennel & Bin Assembly, Painting and Powder Coating.

100,000 square feet of Factory / warehouse space + offices.

NOTTINGHAM. Steel Litter Bin manufacture.

BORDON, HAMPSHIRE.  Wooden playground equipment.  5800 square feet of workshop and offices.

ELY Cambridgeshire.  School sports equipment.

NEWTON ABBOT, Devon...Playground equipment.  23500 square feet site.

BRIDPORT, Dorset. Edwards Sports manufacturer.