Burton Latimer, UK – This year BENNIE celebrates its 90th year in business. This monumental achievement was built on a foundation of decades of entrepreneurialism, reinvention and strong family values.
The BENNIE story dates back to the 1930’s with Peter Bennie starting a contract ploughing company. The company invested heavily in a wide range of machinery at inception, diversifying the approach to work and modernising the industry. During the Second World War the business’ early work was in aiding the war effort through the construction of airfields. 
Over nine decades the business has grown and evolved into a family of great companies which has operated across multiple industry sectors now with a focus on Materials Handling Equipment and Premium Soils & Loams. BENNIE is still a family run business today, in its fourth generation of family management the business is Chaired by third generation Emma Ayres and run by Group Managing Director Matthew Ayres (fourth generation). It is an organisation that has its foundations and heritage laid in the last century, but with a vision and approach very much in the 21st.
BENNIE continues a long legacy of investment as it undertakes ambitious growth plans through acquisitions and partnerships focused on delivering the company’s future, setting it up for the next 90 years.
“As a dynamic UK family run business, BENNIE has grown and developed over the past 90 years by evolving and changing with the times. As the fourth-generation leader of BENNIE, I’m extremely proud of our legacy and excited for the future of the company as we deliver on our growth strategy for the next 90 years” explains Matthew Ayres, Group Managing Director at The BENNIE Group
In honour of this historic milestone, the company has created a commemorative logo. The logo represents the establishment, achievement and inclusivity of the company as well as the ambition and innovation that the business continues to drive forward. It also reflects the origins of the business with a special connection to the founder Peter Bennie as the number ninety in the circle is taken from the handwriting on Mr. Bennie’s original birth certificate. Throughout the year Bennie will host events with employees and their families, customers, suppliers and partners in celebration. There will also be limited edition merchandise and clothing commissioned to commemorate this historic milestone.
“This is a very exciting time for the company that was started by my grandfather but really expanded and developed by the entrepreneurialism of my father in the 1960’s. As Chairman, I’m incredibly humbled by what we have achieved as a Group of diverse companies but I’m excited by what we are on course to deliver in the future” comments Emma Ayres, Chairman at The Bennie Group.
At BENNIE, the success that the company has achieved over the past ninety years would not be possible without the dedication of its employees, its customers and the partnerships with its suppliers.
“I would like to say a personal thank you to all the people who have had a hand in helping make BENNIE what it is today. It is truly a team effort” concludes Matthew.
