Stapleton’s: 65 years in business

It was in September 1937 that Sidney Stapleton founded the company in Watford’s High Street in premises that remained Stapleton’s Head office up until 1970. The company distributed tyres to garages and, when they began to emerge, to specialist tyre retailers. Stapleton’s became active in the retail side in addition to supplying tyres.

In 1994 Stapleton’s Tyre Services was sold to Japanese company Itochu. In 1997, Roy Croft stepped down as MD, being appointed non-executive Deputy Chairman. Ashley Croft and Peter Regan (who joined the company from Itochu) took over as joint Managing Directors.

Ashley later became sole MD. During this period, Stapleton’s had continued to grow, and the ambitions of the company were exemplified by the construction of a purpose-built headquarters, incorporating a warehouse and offices in Letchworth, Herts and a major distribution centre in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. At this time, Stapleton’s was offering a daily delivery service across most of the UK.

It was in October 2002 that news broke that Ashley Croft had resigned as MD for personal reasons, thus severing a 44-year family link with the company. His place as MD was taken by Mike England, formerly Retail Director..