FEATURE
NOUGHT TO SIXTY
Expertise – what sets John Morfield apart from its competitors is its people .
While some people love fast cars , the staff at John Morfield are just as passionate about filtration – and this year they ’ re celebrating six decades of business success
PICTURES : CHRIS BOOTH
When it comes to filtration , one name in the Tees Valley area stands out – John Morfield .
Now in its 60th year of business , the company is celebrating its homegrown Teesside roots while looking forward to the future .
Founded in 1962 by Peter Johnston , John Morfield was born out of a need to supply filtration products to the steel and chemical companies of Teesside .
In 1971 Tom Crabtree joined the business and in 1982 he went on to become 50 / 50 partners with Peter .
When Peter retired in 1999 , John Morfield was left in safe hands with Peter ’ s son , current managing director Stephen Johnston .
From a modest start with a turnover of £ 4,607 in its first year , the company has become the biggest distributor of filtration products in the UK and Ireland , with an annual turnover of £ 16.5m . The company ’ s diverse and prominent customer base of manufacturers in the pharmaceutical , power generation , chemical , automotive and food and beverage industries is a testament to the depth of expertise in filtration products John Morfield possesses .
But who is John Morfield ? Is he the top salesperson or maybe the company mascot ?
Actually , John Morfield was born out of a clever combination of surnames .
Shortly after Peter founded the company , he took on two investors , Mr Moore and Mr Whitfield , to help fund its ambitious growth plans .
When the time came to name the company , the three partners combined their surnames , resulting in the name John Morfield .
As the company celebrates its diamond anniversary , it continues to grow and expand further afield from its humble Teesside beginnings .
Yet John Morfield ’ s ties with the community are as strong today as they ’ ve ever been .
The company proudly supports the local sports scene thanks to managing director Stephen Johnston ’ s unwavering love for the beautiful game .
As well as being a community business partner at Middlesbrough Football Club , he also sponsors youth soccer and netball teams in Teesside and Scotland .
John Morfield ’ s appreciation for its roots is no surprise – being more than just a supplier has always been the cornerstone of the Morfield philosophy .
The company ’ s commitment to going
94 | Tees Business