100 Years of Rowlinson
This year marks something pretty special for us – 100 years of Rowlinson!
It’s not often you get to step back and look at a full century of work, growth, setbacks, reinvention and progress. From where we started in 1926 to where we are today, this milestone is really about the people who built this business, shaped it and continue to move it forward.
Where it all began
Rowlinson began back in 1926 when James Rowlinson set up a timber business in Trafford Park, Manchester. Like many businesses at the time, it started small – focused on timber trading and making crates and packing cases for local industry.
Over time, the work evolved as demand grew, especially during wartime and the rebuilding years that followed. The need for reliable timber packaging really shaped the direction of the business.
A big moment came in 1966 when the business moved to Wardle, Cheshire. That site gave us the space to grow properly into manufacturing, and it really set the foundations for what Rowlinson Packaging has become today. You can read more of that journey here: https://www.therowlinsonstory.com/
Growing with the times
Since those early days, we’ve never really stood still.
As the world changed – container shipping, global trade, new supply chains – we adapted with it. That meant expanding into new products, new markets and building relationships further afield.
We also started sourcing internationally and developing a much broader range of products, while still staying rooted in timber and manufacturing. That balance of tradition and adaptability has probably been one of the key reasons we’re still here 100 years later.
Modern Rowlinson
Today, Rowlinson looks very different to how it did in 1926, but in some ways, the core hasn’t changed at all.
We’re still focused on making solid, reliable products. We still care about doing things properly. And we still rely on the experience and commitment of the people who work here.
What has changed is the scale and the way we operate. Automation, improved logistics, smarter systems and more efficient manufacturing have all helped us keep pace with customer needs in a fast-moving industry.
Sustainability has also become a much bigger part of what we do. Timber has always been a renewable material, but we’re now much more intentional about sourcing responsibly and reducing waste wherever we can.
A business built on people
If there’s one thing that really stands out when you look back over 100 years, it’s that this has always been a people business.
From the early days right through to today, it’s been the effort, skill, and commitment of generations of teams that have kept things moving forward.
That includes the people who’ve been here for decades, the newer faces bringing fresh ideas, and everyone in between. It all matters.
Looking ahead
Reaching 100 years isn’t really about looking back – it’s about making sure we’re in the right place for the next 100.
For us, that means continuing to improve how we work, investing in better ways of manufacturing, and staying focused on sustainability and long-term partnerships.
We don’t see this milestone as the finish line of anything. If anything, it’s a reminder that the basics still matter: do good work, look after people, and keep adapting.
