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HISTORY & HOWIE

1850 CHARLES DICKENS WRITES DAVID COPPERFIELD

Howie of Dunlop Ltd was formed in 1850 by Robert Howie when he took the lease of the Newmill Grain Mill in Dunlop, Ayrshire where he combined grain milling, sawmilling, joinery and fencing, serving the needs and requirements of the local community.

1876 ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL PATENTS THE INVENTION OF THE TELEPHONE

As the years progressed and Robert took his sons into the family business the scope and direction of the Company expanded to newer product ranges to suit the customers diversifying requirements. The sawmill at Dunlop coped with ever increasing throughput of timbers, the joinery section produced Agricultural feeding troughs, hen huts, and the post & wire fences erected around the farms in the area delivered by horse and cart.

1901 QUEEN VICTORIA DIES AFTER 63 YEARS ON THE THRONE

Over the succeeding years the company progressed and diversified into various sectors forming the Howie Group, these included, Precast Concrete manufacturing, Frozen Foods, Farming, Agricultural Feeding, Egg Production and Dog Food production, but gradually these subsidiaries gave way to leave the main core elements of the business which we trade as today.

1939 GERMANY INVADES POLAND WORLD WAR II BEGINS

1969 FIRST MANNED MOON LANDING BY NEIL ARMSTRONG & BUZZ ALDRIN

The Construction Division progressed from Timber Haysheds, into today being a major contractor for Structural Steel Framed portal buildings and encompassing, cladding and associated joinery works to enhance the packages available. They also have diversified into the commercial and industrial sector and the full in house package offered includes design and build facility.

With the decline in agricultural fencing in the late 1970’s the Fencing Division recognised the need to diversify into various other sections within the Construction, Civil Engineering and Security Sectors whether client led or in house designed.

1988 £1 NOTES REPLACED WITH COINS BY BANK OF ENGLAND

The division is now acknowledged as one of Scotland’s major fencing contractors embracing all types of Technology to provide the client with a total turnkey perimeter security solution. They are Chartered ProNet Contractors for all Betafence Products and were winners of the 2003 Gold Award for their endeavours.

Howie Forest Products is now one of the U.K.’s leading sawmill companies specialising in the supply of Sawn timbers to builders merchants, D.I.Y./Garden Centres,

Pallet and Fencing Industries. The company supplies products throughout the length and breadth of the country. The Dalbeattie Sawmill is the most technically advanced and diverse production site in the United Kingdom and continuous investment and improvement maintains the competitive and quality edge within this market.

2003 BOB HOPE THE COMEDIAN DIES AGED 100

The Quarry Division trades under subsidiary company, Howie Minerals Ltd; with sites in Gorebridge, near Edinburgh, Torlundy, near Fort William, and Lugton in Ayrshire.

They now provide Limestone Filler to the Scottish Asphalt market. As markets change they have also expanded their range of milled products to provide a further service for their clients.

2006 EXECUTION OF SADDAM HUSSEIN
The Howie Group continued to concentrate on Core Business and refocussed their target markets..

The construction division which primarily erected Agricultural Portal Frames Buildings was closed due to falling reduced market share within this sector. All other Divisions continued to operate to demand.

2008 WORLD FINANCIAL MARKET COLLAPSE..........LEHMANN BROS BANK CLOSURE
In keeping with the refocussing of the Howie Group - the Mineral Group was sold off to one of the market leaders. Howie Forest products continued with their expansion to the sawmill premises.

The Fencing Division of Howie Group commence a management buyout from the Howie Group - in a recession!

2009 BARRACK OBAMA BECOMES THE 44th PRESIDENT of THE UNITED STATES

The completion of the management buyout of Howie of Dunlop (established in 1850) is completed and continues seemless trading in solely Fencing Contracting.

Howie of Dunlop Ltd will as in the past continue to explore all new awareness of the security industry to benefit our wide range of clients from Defence Estates, Social Housing and Education.

THE FUTURE

Howie of Dunlop Ltd is now totally focused on all aspects of the fencing industry and the ability to recognise, address and implement the latest trends in training, technology and management systems will ensure we are well placed to meet the challenges ahead with determination and enthusiasm.
Looking forward to a prosperous future.....