FEATURE
Modern – A present day John Morfield van at the Teesworks entrance .
Vintage – The type of van Stephen Johnston drove from Thornaby to Redcar .
affording lifelines to a fledgling filtration business on Thornaby ’ s industrial estate . The irony ( and poignancy ) lies in the fact that when the dust settled , these companies , which were a sure determinant of John Morfield ’ s early successes , were no longer around today in the same capacity .
However , their legacy continues : ICI ’ s sprawling sites - Wilton , Billingham , North Tees - may be a former shadow of themselves , but John Morfield ’ s connection endures through collaborations with new enterprises on these hallowed grounds . Similarly , British Steel ’ s Redcar and South Bank sites , now part of Teesworks , carry forward a lineage that John Morfield is proud to be a part of .
Striding on However nostalgic to think about , innovation is an unrelenting train and the steel and chemical giants of yesteryear stayed at the station , while the Tees Valley ’ s industrial landscape evolved towards vehicle manufacturing , green energy and sustainability .
John Morfield , too , embraced transformation and geographical expansion to build upon its success in Teesside ’ s bustling scene . From a modest start and a £ 1,106 annual turnover , the company now boasts a £ 16.5m annual revenue , extending its filtration prowess across the UK and Ireland . Its client roster spans diverse sectors , including pharmaceutical , chemical , food and beverage , power generation and automotive .
However , in its nationwide expansion to Bellshill , Scotland , and Cork , Ireland , John Morfield never abandoned its roots .
As Tees Valley forges a greener path , embodied by Teesworks ’ drive towards sustainable and low-carbon activity ( including biofuel , wind power and Li-ion battery production ), John Morfield strides on in sync .
Keeping pace with change Current managing director Stephen Johnston humorously recalls a record delivery sprint from the Thornaby head office to Teesworks in under 14 minutes - a quirky anecdote that embodies the company ’ s commitment to keeping pace with the region ’ s ever-evolving dynamics .
Stephen recalls that although this was in an MK1 Ford Transit van in 1984 , the lower traffic volumes back then would even the journey up for today ’ s modern cars !
Stephen told Tees Business : “ Taking the reins from my dad , Peter Johnston , was both a privilege and a challenge . Observing how John Morfield seamlessly waltzed to the rhythm of Tees Valley ’ s ever-changing tune has been nothing short of awe-inspiring . As industries transformed and sustainability took centre stage , our company has evolved in lockstep .
“ The Tees Valley , once belching out steel , now orchestrates a symphony of green energy and sustainable practices , a transformation that resonates with our journey .
“ And then there ’ s the infamous delivery tale , where I ‘ supposedly ’ set a new world record dashing to Teesworks . Trust me , I ’ ve mastered the art of making the old MK1 Ford Transit vans look like they ’ re standing still . Ah , the nostalgia .”
Reflection of resilience In John Morfield ’ s saga of success , aligning with market changes and innovations has consistently been a triumphant strategy . Its robust partnership with global conglomerates , including Eaton Begerow , Pall , Parker and notably 3M – all significant investors in filtration technologies for battery manufacturing - positions the company to remain competitive and relevant in emerging markets and developments such as Teesworks .
John Morfield finds itself positively positioned at the crossroads of burgeoning industries , ready to partner with and further strengthen the Tees Valley as an industrial force .
If anything , John Morfield is a reflection of Tees Valley ’ s resilience , morphing with each twist of change . The early believers bold enough to believe in youthful dreams , along with the patrons of the past , continue to illuminate the company ’ s path .
With 60-plus years of experience , £ 2m in stock across its three sites , a powerful supply chain and battle-hardened filtration technicians , John Morfield is prepared to integrate into the next inevitable evolution of the Tees Valley industrial scene .
John Morfield ’ s story is one of continued transformation , evolution and dedication . From its inception kindled by local industries to its current stature as a national filtration authority , the company encapsulates Tees Valley ’ s spirit .
Amid the ebb and flow of industry , John Morfield ’ s chameleon-like legacy endures , fuelled by a shared vision of a greener , more vibrant tomorrow .
The voice of business in the Tees region | 151