History
April the 1st 1946 may not have been the ideal time to start a new business venture in those difficult post-war years, but it proved to be the right time for Bill Search to move into a tiny attic office in East Parade, Leeds.
The business built and the fleet of hire equipment grew. At this time there were more requests from clients to purchase equipment which led to 1952 when we supplied our first diesel driven air compressor and pneumatic equipment.
In 1954 to meet the needs of a growing business the move was made to larger premises on Water Lane in Leeds, then a further move to the current location at Whitehall Road in Leeds in 1959.
In 1982 our existing Sheffield branch added a compressed air service operation providing air compressor solutions with in the South Yorkshire areas, this development was then followed by a similar development at our Nottingham operation in 1998.
2021 sees us achieve an enviable milestone of 75 years in business and 70 years providing compressed air solutions.
In 2022 we won ‘Atlas Copco Compressors Distributor of the Year’.
Timeline
1st April 1946 William G. Search Limited opened an office, a large room above an Estate Agent’s in East Parade, Leeds as machinery brokers specialising in the sale of new and used plant.
1947 Purchased and moved to a plant yard in Water Lane, almost in the centre of Leeds and on the banks of the River Aire.
Moved to a much larger two-acre location at Whitehall Road in Leeds 1.5 miles from the city centre. Offices, workshops, and storage covering 44,000 Sq. ft.
Added improved quality diesel air compressors and pneumatic equipment to the portfolio.
Search United FC played in the Leeds red triangle league.
Expansion of service vehicles looking after specialist contractors’ plant and air compressors.
We had always dealt in portable air compressors. However, demand for stationary air compressors increased and we formed a specialist department with a team of experts.
Celebrating 25 years of progress with plant depots in Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool, Nottingham, and Hull. William G. Search and Roger W. Search standing outside the machinery showroom.
Full operational compressed air division at Search (Sheffield) Ltd on Woodbourn Road, Sheffield 9. Originally founded in 1964.
Compressed air service engineers, an era transferring skills from predominantly piston air compressors into rotary screw air compressors.
Aerial view of Whitehall Road premises in Leeds, new dedicated compressed air workshop was built (top of the photo).
Expanding sales and service team
Celebrated 50 years in business with a large event in Harrogate where over 200 members of staff and family attended.
Search (Nottingham) Ltd to provide compressed air solutions with a team of service and sales engineers.
All compressed air divisions headed up by a dedicated management team from Leeds with an expanding service, sales, and parts team.
Appointment as a premier distributor for Atlas Copco air compressors.
Celebrated 75 years in business and 70 years providing compressed air solutions
‘Atlas Copco Compressors Distributor of the Year 2022’
Our history is your future
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