From hand-thrown bricks crafted from our own quarry clay, to a modern fleet delivering building materials across the region. Today, we’re a team of 45, running three sites and six crane lorries. Here’s how we got here:
The story begins in 1880, when William Holman Collier decides to leave the family brickmaking business ” S E Collier” in Reading in search of a fresh start. With his wife Jessie by his side, he made the 110-mile journey by steam train to Stanway, Essex. There, they acquired “The Marks Tey Brickworks” from a local farmer, Mr Wagstaff, who had been using the natural clay and sand on his land to produce and sell bricks.
Not only did William and Jessie expand production, they gave locals new opportunities beyond farming and rail — laying the groundwork for a business rooted in people, purpose, and place. A team of eight still continues the tradition of brick-making at W H Collier today.
Meanwhile in Ipswich, Edgar Catchpole was building homes, communities, and a reputation for reliability. E Catchpole and Sons were responsible for building many houses and factories in Ipswich. With a yard full of surplus materials, he turned his building projects into a supply business. In 1974, Roy Collier acquired E Catchpole & Sons, marking the start of Collier & Catchpole as we know it today.
One of our favourite stories goes back around 45 years, when Roy relocated the Ipswich yard a few miles up the road. Bill, our long-serving Buyer, didn’t drive and had always walked to work. Bill had been with E Catchpole & Sons for over 48 years and remained part of the team after the business joined the Collier family.
True to his character, Roy quietly bought Bill a moped to make the commute easier. Bill rode that moped for years, and when he finally retired, Roy handed him the logbook. As retired team member Mick Cox put it: “As far as I know, Bill is the only person EVER to have had a company moped!”
Long-time customer Dave Cant (80), former yardman Mick Layzell (87), and Chris King (60), who first joined in the late 1980s, return to our Stanway branch for a candid trip down memory lane. Fire-drum tea breaks and unforgettable stories and beneath the jokes is a deeper message: Collier & Catchpole was, and still is, a place where people matter.
Retired Team Members Mick Cox and Ronnie Mapplebeck, who dedicated decades of their working lives to Collier & Catchpole. They reflect on what it really meant to work at Colliers: the laughter, the community, the memories and the unforgettable stories from Christmas hams and productivity bonuses to great managers and friendships that lasted long after retirement.
COLLIER & CATCHPOLE TIMELINE
1863
Local farmer Mr. Wagstaff starts crafting bricks on his Marks Tey farmland. With clay and sand at his fingertips, he lays the literal foundations of what would one day become a thriving brick manufacturer, producing over 250,000 bricks every year.
1880
A bold move sparks a legacy. William Holman Collier leaves his family’s established brickworks in Reading and travels 110 miles by steam train to Marks Tey with his wife, Jessie. There, they acquire Mr. Wagstaff’s brickworks and set out to transform it into the thriving business it is today.
1898
The business expands as W.H. Collier acquires “Workhouse Fields” — our Stanway site, where we still are today. The site becomes a key source of sand and gravel, with W H Collier’s sons, Ernest and Samuel, forming Collier Bros. Gravel, Lime and Cement Merchants. The Collier name starts to become synonymous with quality and reliability in the region.
1934
W.H. Collier passes away at the age of 80, having built a respected business from the ground up. His sons continue the journey: Ernest takes control at the Marks Tey brickworks, while Samuel leads the gravel works, rebranding it as Collier (Stanway) Limited.
1940s
War and change sweep across Britain. A portion of the Stanway site is compulsorily purchased and converted into a landfill. Today, that very ground lives on as the Stanway Rovers football pitch — a fitting transformation from industry to community space, right behind our Colchester branch.
1955
The third generation steps in. Roy Collier, Samuel’s son, joins the business as Managing Director. With fresh ideas and a strong work ethic, Roy sets the stage for modernising the company while honouring its roots. “The third generation of Colliers“.
1963
A major shift occurs. Collier Stanway Limited gravel works is sold to St Ives Sand and Gravel. Roy Collier continues as a Director of St Ives Sand and Gravel, renting the Colchester site to the company until 11 years later, when he gives notice to quit St Ives.
1974
A historic merger of legacies. Roy acquires E Catchpole & Sons, a well-established name in the Suffolk building scene, founded over a century earlier by Edgar Catchpole. The two family businesses, each with deep roots in East Anglia, unite under shared values of honesty, hard work, and customer care.
1975
A new era begins as the company officially starts trading as Collier & Catchpole in Stanway. The Ipswich location retains the E Catchpole name — for now — maintaining continuity with its loyal customer base.
1979
Expansion and investment continue. Collier & Catchpole purchases a former concrete pipe works on Wherstead Road in Ipswich and relocates its Suffolk branch there — a site that still proudly serves our customers today.
1988
The two strands of the business officially merge under one name: Collier & Catchpole. This unified identity strengthens the brand and sets a clear path for the future.
1990
Roy’s son-in-law, Kevin Jones, joins the family business, bringing new ideas and a strong commitment to Collier & Catchpole’s continued growth and success.
1998
Roy Collier passes away aged 69, leaving behind a respected, community-anchored business. Kevin Jones steps in as Managing Director, continuing the family’s leadership legacy with the same principles that built the business.
2000
A major milestone: construction of our new Colchester offices is completed. The space reflects a modern, forward-looking company that still carries its history with pride.
2005
Tim Rowbottom, also Roy’s son-in-law, joins the business, bringing fresh energy to Collier & Catchpole.
2012
Tim Rowbottom is appointed Managing Director, marking the next phase of growth for Collier & Catchpole. The company continues to invest in people, transport, infrastructure and service excellence.
2014
A new 200m² warehouse is built at the Stanway yard, significantly expanding our product offering and improving logistics for our growing customer base.
2016
Our Ipswich branch receives a major upgrade with state-of-the-art indoor storage — doubling capacity and ensuring we meet the evolving demands of our customers.
2019
A proud moment: We open our third branch in Lawford — our first new location in 44 years. It’s a milestone that reflects confidence in our team, our customers and our future.
2022
£200,000 is invested into the Ipswich branch — introducing a modern shop, new office space, and expanded customer parking. These improvements enhance the customer experience and affirm our commitment to serving the Suffolk building community.
2023
We throw our first-ever Summer Bonanza in Colchester, bringing together over 33 top suppliers for a day of celebration, networking and industry insights. Following the success of the Bonanza, we held our first September Sizzler trade day in Ipswich. A testament to the vibrant community we’ve helped build over generations.
2024
We hosted our first big trade event at our Lawford branch, Winter Wonderland. Bringing together suppliers, customers, and the local community for a festive day of live demos, giveaways, and seasonal treats — a fantastic finale to the year.
2025
This year, we celebrate 50 years under the Collier & Catchpole name — a milestone that honours our roots, our people, and the communities we serve. Our mission remains the same: to support your success — with the same friendly, reliable service we’re known for.
