style | business
A Return to Nature A Distinctive Fleet
The history of the company’s distinctive fleet in their smart grey livery is just as interesting as that of the company itself. Originally the vehicles were painted green but this was changed to Admirality Grey by Hilton Bennett who used tins of paint washed up on Bembridge beach from St Helens roads in the Solent where naval vessels were moored and maintained, the colour has remained the same ever since and is an early example of the company’s recycling.
The first vehicle to be painted Admirality Grey was a Canadian Dodge in 1952, the last from original naval paint a Ford D Series in 1984. Many of the original H.J. Bennett vehicles are still within the company’s ‘Heritage Fleet’, in original livery and these can be seen at events across the Island – a far cry from the horse and cart of Joe Bennett.
In 2012 the company moved its head office from 87-89 High Street Bembridge to a new head office in Sandown to support this growth. This new site provides offices for the back-office team and extensive workshop facilities from which the company maintains its own fleet of vehicles, plant and equipment. Bagging equipment on-site also provides mini-bags and bulk-bag aggregates for the building and DIY market across the Island and a secure compound is afforded for its large fleet of vehicles.
As well as running their successful company, H.J. Bennett has been instrumental, through collaboration with Isle of Wight Lavender, in restoring the quarry site at the Lavender Farm. Here shallow pond margins are being created for wading birds to feed and breed with specific plant cover being used to connect the waterside to heathland and open areas. Former RSPB conservation director Mark Avery, commented that, ‘’Quarries can have a major impact on the landscape - but once they have reached the end of their life they have a fantastic potential to deliver habitats for threatened wildlife.”
H.J. Bennett Ltd Seafield Garage, Faulkner Lane, Sandown, PO36 9AZ t. 01983 873415
e.
info@hjbennett.co.uk w.
www.hjbennett.co.uk
September/October 2015 125
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