Congratulations to West Bromwich business Ian Guest Holdings on its exceptional financial results for 2021. For the year ending 31 December 2021, it reported a turnover of £139.7m, up 31 per cent on 2020. Pre-tax profits rose a staggering 87 per cent from £2.3m to £4.3m.

The company can trace its roots back 120 years to 1902, when it began life as a bicycle repair business. It quickly progressed into making and selling motorcycles, along with sports goods and fireworks from a shop on West Bromwich High Street. During the first and second world wars, the business supported the war effort by manufacturing gun and tank parts, and by stripping down aircraft. 

In the 1950s Frank Guest Limited became Guest Motors Limited and expanded into commercial vehicles. In 1992 the company created a purpose-built truck facility in West Bromwich and a new tyre-fitting facility in Great Bridge. Now, Guest Truck and Van has additional sites in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Coventry, Leicester, Cambridge, Thetford and Peterborough. Sherwood Truck and Van, acquired in 2011, operates in Nottingham, Sheffield, South Normanton and Stoke-on-Trent.

The year 2021 was not without its challenges. A statement from the board said that, due to Covid: “We suffered staff shortages and even had to close for a few days due to lack of available staff.” But thanks to “the versatility, dedication and commitment” of the staff, 2021 ended as the company’s “most profitable year on record.”

Think Sandwell is delighted that this historic company is doing so well as it celebrates 120 years in business. To find out how we can help your business grow and thrive, visit our business services page.