Happy new year to all of our customers. We are particularly excited about 2023, not least because it is our birthday! Drainfast is celebrating twenty years in business this year. We started selling drainage from our location in Alton, Hampshire, in March 2003, and since then, the company has grown significantly to where we are today.
Thank you to our customers, staff and suppliers who have supported us on this journey. So let's take a quick look back at the history of Drainfast!
The History of Drainfast
1997
A Family Business
Tim James started contracting with his first excavator based on the family farm in Alton. This led to the formation of Action Digging Services.
2003
Drainfast begins trading
In March, Peter started Drainfast, selling drainage based on the family's knowledge & understanding of groundworks and operating from the same premises.
2011
Plant & Machinery Auction
Action Digging was sold in July. This shows the auction selling the plant and equipment assets off at Scaifs Farm.
2012
Drainfast brand refresh
The Drainfast brand was refreshed, keeping the same name but with a new logo. Marketing materials included the Drainfast mole for the first time. Newly updated literature was printed, promising customers a fast, friendly service backed up by large stocks & quality products and the first A5 brochure was mass mailed to prospects and customers.
2015
Midlands Depot Opens
The Midlands Depot opened and was a major step forward for the business, widening the logistical reach and stockholding capacity.
2016
Drainfast Exhibits
SiteStak prototypes were built and tested, and patents filed for the concept. Drainfast successfully exhibited at London Build with a SiteStak prototype on stand and a whack-a-rat game to win a Drainfast mole!
2017
New Head Office
Drainfast acquired Frost Drainage giving the company its own range of floor & roof drain products.
Further expansion for Drainfast with a third depot opening at Grays in Essex.
Drainfast opened their new Head Office at Vision House in Petersfield for office staff due to outgrowing the office space at Alton.
2018
SiteStak Launch
SiteStak incorporated as a separate company in March to give it the focus it required.
2019
Vision Drainage Launched
The Vision brand was introduced to start the journey of ‘own-branding’ our product range.
2022
Office Move
The original barn building at Alton was demolished and a new fully racked & fitted-out warehouse and office space was built. The office staff moved back in July, enabling closer communications & integration. New product development is a large part of easing customer frustrations in the Drainfast mission. Trials & launch of MuckStopper took place.
2023
Celebrating 20 years!
Drainfast celebrates 20 years of establishment by wrapping their entire fleet of delivery trucks. The company mole mascot got a new look and is named Digby. Our London Depot moved from Grays to Basildon.
Written by
Mark Chambers
Marketing Manager
As Marketing Manager, Mark plays an active role in running strategic projects to increase our brand profile.
