Deputy Editor David Jordan travels to South Wales on 27 January to celebrate the opening of Fox Group (Moving & Storage) Ltd’s impressive £1,000,000 extension to its Cwmbran headquarters.
Bunting and party balloons decorated the perimeter fence at Fox Moving & Storage’s smart HQ in Somerset Road, Cwmbran, bringing cheer to an otherwise dreary January day in South Wales. Two pristine removals vans, one in Fox livery the other in Atlas, were parked either side of the entrance. I squeezed through and found a spot in the rapidly filling car park.
I was greeted by Managing Director Paul Fox in the brightly-lit reception area before being given a tour of the shiny new offices by director Stephen Denning. Later, with champagne in hand, I mingled with the 100 or so guests, staff, local dignitaries and suppliers, that had gathered to celebrate the milestone occasion.
Paul’s talented daughter Sam, accompanied by guitarist Riccardo, entertained us with their songs while we tucked in to the excellent buffet laid on by the Fox family. It was clear that a great deal of work and planning had gone into staging the event and I for one felt privileged to be there.
In his welcoming speech, Paul remembered his father Roy and paid tribute to those early years in business when the foundations of the company were laid down. The company had prospered through many changes and challenges in its 46-year history, including multiple acquisitions of other family removals businesses. He said the dedication and professionalism of its loyal employees had been key to the company’s success, several of whom have been with the company for over 25 years. Paul also thanked his staff for putting up with the inevitable disruption caused by the building work over the past twelve months.
Guest of honour was the Mayor of Torfaen, Veronica Crick, who said she was delighted to see a local family business doing so well, providing an important service and employment for the people of Cwmbran.
Fox are long-term UK agents for the giant US Van Line Atlas and their International President Jim Gaw had travelled from Seattle to officially open the new building. Jim also took to the stage to add his congratulations to the Fox family and said how much he valued their close association with Atlas over the last 20 years.
After the speeches, guests were ushered outside to the cracks and bangs of fireworks lighting-up the early evening sky: but that was by no means the end of the entertainment. As we all looked on, the new warehouse shutters were slowly raised to the Star Wars ‘Space’ theme, flashing lights and showbizz smoke. Then, as the air cleared, the red-coated ranks of the Pontnewydd Male Voice Choir burst into song with a medley of Welsh classics. It was a big surprise and everyone was delighted.
It was time for me to leave the party and head back along the M4 on the long journey home. It had been a memorable evening and it was good to see that despite the uncertainties of modern day business and politics, there are still people prepared to stick their neck out and invest in the future. I wish them well.
Photos: Far left: Paul Fox (left) and Jim Gaw; centre: Mayor Veronica Crick and Councillor Colin Crick; left Sam Fox and guitarist Riccardo entertain the guests; below: exterior and reception at the new headquarters extension.
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