Company History

1968

The Company was founded as Mechanical Services(Trailer Engineers) Ltd by Barrie Badland and operated from the garage of his home in Belmont

1969

The first Trailer Mail Order Catalogue "the Book of Plans" was produced. This book soon became the 'bible' of the trailer parts & DIY trailer build market.

1970

First Indespension Stockist appointed to ease distribution and make product more readily available.

1971

Production was transferred from Belmont to a factory site in Bolton

1972

A second factory was purchased to supplement the original factory as demand for trailer parts increased

1974

Both factories were sold and a new 130,000 ft² Factory was purchased, originally run as a cotton mill, Hillfold Mill on Belmont Road became home to Indespension for many years

1976

First group Stockist Meeting held

1977

J W Philp of Milngavie, an original stockist, becomes Glasgow Trailer Centre, the first of a new era of distribution and retail Depots

Douglas and Rosemary Graham joined Barrie and Sandra Badland as partners in the business

1979

National distribution set up with appointments of regional Depots

4th Edition of the parts catalogue renamed the Trailer Manual was produced

1980

Indespension opens in Dublin, combining with the trading of the long established G & A Parnell Company

1981

5th Edition of the Trailer Manual published

1982

Founder Barrie Badland died unexpectedly.

1983

Revolutionary Computer and Strain Gauge Testing introduced in trailer design

1984

6th Edition of the Trailer Manual published

1985

The easy launch & recovery Hallmark Roller Coaster Boat Trailer range unveiled at the Earls Court Boat Show.

1986

Nottingham based Tow a Van Trailer production Company purchased

1987

Challenger Range of Industrial Trailers introduced

1988

Tony Graham joined the company as a sales & management trainee

1989

7th Edition of the Trailer Manual published

1990

Robotic Welding introduced to the manufacturing process

1991

The Triple Lock coupling was designed and patented

1992

The Super Ride Suspension was developed and patented

1993

Hallmark Dipper Range of Boat Trailers launched

1994

2 Dimensional Computer Aided Design introduced

Ros Graham joined the Company as a HR assistant

1995

The manufacturing company Axles of Watford Ltd Purchased

1996

8th Edition of the Trailer Manual Revised

1997

AD Plant Trailer Range of Trailers introduced

2000

Production and office Headquarters moved to the old Ingersol Rand site in Horwich and Paragon Business Park was created

2003

3 Dimensional CAD introduced to the Design Office

2003

Additional Manufacturing Facilities for finished trailer assembly opened in Altham Lancashire

2005

Manufacturing reorganisation to facilitate automated product manufacture & quality inspection.

2006

Industrial Trailer Range updated and re designed

2007

New Style Tow a Van introduced as well as higher payload Plant trailers

2008

Indespension Stores re branding commenced with the opening of state of the art branches in Dublin, Newcastle & Cardiff

2009

£1mill investment in Laser Cutting and CNC Folding machines to continue the search for excellence with Indespension products

2010 – 2015

Indespension undertook various projects to open new branches (Carlisle/Lancaster) and to relocate others to more suitable properties and so Indespension Northampton/Gatwick (previously Redhill) /Portsmouth (previously Southampton) /Bolton were re-born.

2013

Indespension announces the launch of Express Trailer Parts offering a next day delivery service of fast moving parts to the plant and trailer industry

2014/5

Company releases the industry’s first multi-manufacturer automatic towbar quotation system on the web site

2016

Heralded the much awaited opening of Indespension Bristol at its new home on Eastgate Road and new Indespension branches in South Wales Indespension Narberth and Swansea have joined our growing retail network in March