At age 22 in 1954 Tony Horncastle built and sold his first house. Father had served his apprenticeship as a bricklayer and returned from his national service, explains Andrew Horncastle the group’s Chief Executive. Times where not easy and Mum and Dad had to work extremely hard. Indeed life started for me in their caravan down Itlings Lane in Hessle. With that first house so the foundations where laid for one of the most successful groups of companies in the region.

In those days when traditional heavy industry and industrial companies where the norm father was ahead of his time with the entrepreneurial flair more commonly found in todays business environment. But more than that, he had the necessary practical skills, business acumen and energy to make the business a success, and whilst father was doing all this mother was not just bringing up the family but administering the books accounts and the clerical work.

The Baby Boomer generation would soon be reaching maturity and beginning to start their own families. The housing stock in many areas of Hull was poor with the city still scarred with bomb sites and overcrowded Victorian terraces, but prosperity and optimism was on the up. Many people as Prime Minister Harold McMillan said “ had never had it so good”.

So father decided to build. Acquiring land in Gilberdyke, conveniently close to the Hawker Siddley Plant at Brough and just a short ride by rail journey from Hull. With this came risk. The bank came and measured up the newly built family home for security.

There was plenty of good land available and strong demand for the kind of house we where building. People wanted affordable homes with space around them in an attractive environment and that’s what we provided. So expansion and growth came. Through the 60’s the pace and numbers increased, with more homes, on sites in the village.

W A Horncastle Builders Ltd as it was then known had a winning formula. But should this continue or should we diversify. In 1969 the latter was the route chosen and we bought industrial land at Broad Lane in Gilberdyke and established Horncastle Industrial Developments Ltd – with a view to establishing other industrial estates in Hull and East Yorkshire. And this is when the truly innovative spirit of the company begins to show through…. At this time Stuart Walters joined father as MD of the subsidiary.

As part of acquiring the Broad Lane site, Horncastle acquired an industrial blacksmith’s shop and a contract to supply telegraph poles to the GPO: “ Not the first thing you would associate with a housebuilder and contractor, but here was an opportunity.

Now if you became the owner of a telegraph pole company with a large stock of un-wanted telegraph poles what would be your best move? The business diversified in to dressed flagpoles, explains Andrew, “ and set up another division, Kidstough, which made kids play equipment from the un-wanted telegraph poles.” The perfect solution.

As for the Blacksmiths shop, well that’s now a manufacturing company with a turnover of just under 20 million and growing: Gateway Fabrications Ltd make caravan chassis assemblies for the caravan industry and the company’s ‘Ultra’ division make secure storage products.

The next big milestone in the Horncastle Group’s history came in the early 70’s when Horncastle Industrial Developments Ltd bought a long established local company, Beverley Coachcraft. This company built showmen’s caravans but had been making losses. Once again the fortunes of an ailing company were turned in to a success story: “ We took the skills that were already established in the company, Pat Austin joined the team and we phased out the manufacture of caravans, diversifying in to jack-leg and mobile accommodation”, explains Andrew. Though that decade this company supplied products here in the UK, into Europe and overseas.

The early pioneers Stuart, Pat and others retired or moved on making way for another generation to take up the challenges. With this came a need to combine entrepreneurial skills with corporate methods and systems. In came monthly reporting and early computerisation. The company moved with the times, the group was re-structured, and in the late 1980’s in the face of fierce competition started to look for new markets. We developed a system suitable for the factory manufacture of permanent buildings. At first we looked at the hotel market. The budget brands were just starting to expand and develop in the UK. We had some notable success with Forte. This diversification required new skills and it was decided to split this business creating Britspace Modular Building Systems (BMBS) and Britspace Relocatable Building Systems (BRBS). And even if the names don’t sound familiar you’ve probably been in one of their buildings – be it a Lodge Hotel, Petrol Filling Station, School, Nursery, or perhaps one of over 250 McDonalds Drive-thru Restaurants all over the UK and Eire.

In 1990 Norman White joined the group and was shortly made Finance Director. Up to then I had a pretty jaded view of accountants. Norman changed my opinion completely. Bringing a wealth of bigger company experience Norman’s financial stewardship was quickly recognised and he became a highly respected member of the team.

The Horncastle Group has continued to diversify and innovate through the 80’s and 90’s. In 1995 Tony retired from day to day involvement in the company although still retains an interest as Non – Executive Chairman. The site at Broad Lane in Gilberdyke is now a base for over 400 people and a constant hive of activity. Cavermill Estates, BRBS, BMBS, Horncastle Homes, Horncastle Properties, Clarpoint and Gateway Fabrications – the companies which now comprise the group – now have a combined turnover of £40m and are set for increased growth.

Things have come a long way since that first house. The groups activities now reach the length and breadth of the country (in to Europe and there are even licensing links in South America) but Andrew Horncastle is proud to be based in East Yorkshire. “ This is where it all began for Horncastle Group and this is where our base will stay”.

Andrew attributes the success of the group to its people: “The group has grown from a family business to a people business, we are fully committed to investing in training and the development of our teams. We give them the chance to contribute to the group’s success and to get the rewards for their contributions”.

Changes continue.Norman White retired in October, however his last job was to help his successor Chris Newton take on the role. Other new key players have also joined the team. There are many great people in all corners of the business.

“ The Horncastle Group will undergo considerable growth and change over the next few years and we want to attract the most skilled and motivated people to move forward with us. The strength of this company lies in the potential of its people”. Excitement and challenge lie ahead.

Andrew Horncastle