John Wade Celebrates 50 Years in Business

Longstanding Blue Scotland customer, John Wade Group recently celebrated their 50th anniversary at a lavish event held at John’s home near Sedgefield. Blue Director Austin Carey and Sales Manager Barry McCarron attended along with 200 other guests

Back in 1958 when John Wade left school at 15 years old, even he probably didn’t anticipate going on to start and develop a business that would become one of the most successful aggregates and waste management companies in the UK, and own a number of highly successful race horses to boot.

His early career involved repairing and operating plant equipment before starting the business which incorporated plant hire and small contract work, involving demolition, earth moving and re-seeding. The selling of quarry products then followed as he collected stone from the Old Town Quarry at Middridge near Shildon and distributed it to local businesses.

In 1972 John acquired his first quarry, Stonegrave Aggregates, situated near Aycliffe Village. The quarry soon started to supply the region with dolomite magnesium limestone, on which many of the houses in the Darlington area are built on.

Like all successful entrepreneurs John constantly analysed the market, which resulted in the business expanding in to waste management in recent times. Today the company incorporates 3 key sites at Aycliffe and Darlington totalling an impressive 80 Hectres along with 200 Hectres of farm land and employs 160 people in the local area.

Over the last 15 years John and Blue have developed an extremely strong bond, as both businesses have evolved and become ever more successful. The John Wade Group has purchased over 10 machines from Blue over that time, across both the Doppstadt and Powerscreen ranges.

“It’s been a real privilege to work with John over the years, and to be invited to celebrate his 50th year in business with him and his team”, commented Austin. “From myself and everyone at Blue Scotland we’d like to wish them ongoing success in the future”.