All About Silvey

Over 100 years of serving the public - the Silvey Story
Thomas Silvey began the company in 1870 to ship coal via the rail network. His customers included the local gas companies, as well as then-household names such as United Alkali, Georges Brewery, and Frys. In 1900, his second son Gilbert took over the business and increased the breadth of the business by supplying coal to Bristol Channel-based customer via sailing colliers and later motor vessels.

Thomas Silvey's grandson, also called Thomas (or TL) , joined the company as a director in 1940 and, after serving in the RAF from 1943-46, he and his brother Bryan became Joint Managing Directors.

The company first became involved in the Oil market in 1954, becoming a distributor for Petrofina. In 1962, the company's turnover exceeded £1 million for the first time. TL Silvey became President of the Coal Merchants Federation Great Britain in 1963, and his son, Thomas Michael, joined the firm in 1966.

The Head Office moved from Midland Road to Surrey Street in 1971, and again to its present site on Newfoundland Road in 1976. Thomas Michael Silvey became MD in 1978, with TL Silvey continuing as Chairman.

Changes in the political climate meant that by 1985, coal was less that 10% of the company's £20m turnover. The company had fifty filling stations at this point. A decision was taken to sell off the coal division and focus on the filling station business.

In 1990 the company developed a truck bunkering and services facility at Oakleigh Acres, and a Plymouth Truckstop at the ex-Wallace Arnold Coach Station.

In 1994, David Hatherell joined the business as Transport Manager and is now joint MD with Michael Silvey. The company's M32 services were opened on 8th August 1999 and have received a design award from the Bristol Civic Society.