• McArthur History
• Changing Faces
• In Good Company
• Keeping The Customers Satisfied
• Consolidation Expansion

Despite business restrictions imposed after the Second World War, the Bristol Branch alone achieved sales of 1 million in 1949 it became obvious that the company was out growing its Marsh Street headquarters.

The old Thompson's Mail warehouse on Gas Ferry Road was purchased and this became the companys new base in 1951. As trading restrictions were gradually lifted the company made steady steps towards consolidating its position as a national company reaching all parts of the United Kingdom.

One of Dennis McArthurs first tasks when he took over as Managing Director in 1956 was to engineer the purchase of Thomas Reynolds & Son Ltd a firm established in Bristol for 131 years with a similar product range as McArthur.

In 1961, McArthur merged with Webb, Aldrige and Co. another established Bristol company specializing in steel and metal goods, that had been trading since 1820.

McArthur entered two new areas in 1965, with the formation of McArthur Plastics and of McArthur Gases Ltd, In 1970 Marfac/McArthur Plastics Ltd was formed to serve the North of England. A new Plymouth depot was opened in 1971.

By 1971, turnover was greater than 4.9 million, and that figure had grown to a staggering 37 million by 1982. Today, with an enormous selection of products, the company has an annual turnover in excess of 90 million.

In 1977, McArthur's purpose-built premises at Foundry Lane, on the Fishponds Trading Estate were opened.

There were two important purchases in 1980, Charles Gray Ltd and Marfac Ltd Buchanan and Wilson Ltd were added in 1981 and a galvanising business was purchased from the Brady Group in 1982.

By 1983, McArthur was made-up of so many individual companies, the decision was made to rename the company McArthur Group, with the different product and service divisions working under the group title.