As the Managing Director of Forward 2000 (Oxon) Ltd, I am proud to reflect on our incredible journey as we celebrate our 25th anniversary. It all began in late May 1999, when I left my family at a campsite in Bournemouth to embark on a new adventure. Our initial office was a modest 3x4m space with a single desk and phone. My business partner, Dave Watton, and I were the driving force behind this fledgling business in its early years.
Our roles were fluid—mornings saw me at the desk while Dave was on the road selling and delivering, and in the afternoons, we swapped places seamlessly. BMW Group, both Cowley Plant and Swindon Pressings, were our first customers, keeping us busy and fuelling our determination to succeed in a competitive market.
Within six months, we added a second desk, and our customer base grew steadily. Debbie, our financial wizard, managed our cash flow with precision. As long as our customers were happy, we knew we were on the right track.
Year two brought further expansion. Lee joined our team, and we hired a dedicated driver. Our trusty Green Renault Laguna became our workhorse. It wasn’t quite the transport vans we use today, but it handled everything from belting rollers to pipework, and we loved it.
Our partnerships truly set us apart. We secured distributorships with SMC Pneumatics and Festo, diversifying our offerings making Forward 2000 (Oxon) Ltd the go-to source for pneumatic products. Our reputation soared, and our family of employees expanded.
We’ve always prioritised supplying quality industrial products and supporting our customers. Our passion for what we do drives us forward, and no one is more passionate than our greatest asset, “The Forward Family.” Over the years, our dedicated team has been the cornerstone of our success. Navigating financial crashes and pandemics, we have continued to grow, filling the last 25 years with achievements we’re immensely proud of. I cannot thank them enough.
Today, the Forward Family continues to thrive. We’ve come a long way from that tiny office, but our commitment to customers remains unwavering.
We have some exciting plans in place this year to celebrate our anniversary, including a partnership with a wonderful local charity, which will be announced soon. Please keep an eye out on our social media for this update.
Finally, a massive thank you to all our customers, partners, and suppliers, and here’s to the next 25 years full of innovation, achievements, and growth!
— Graham Breakspear, Managing Director of Forward 2000 (Oxon) Ltd
