Hutton’s is a long established name within the UK ship supply industry.
Nearly 200 years ago Hutton’s began as ironmongers in Hull and established trade routes in 1820.
As Britain’s international trade developed, the UK’s ports expanded and attracted more ships from international trade routes. These vessels required support from the local ship’s chandler – Hutton’s.
The shipping industry has seen many significant changes over the years and Hutton’s has evolved with them. Under a number of different managements the company has grown and incorporated additional facilities in various ports to ensure it continues to meet the needs of the maritime community.
Hutton’s Group entered its current identity following a management buyout led by ship supply expert Alan Taylor in 2000. Alan was joined in the business in 2001 by his son Alex, a former merchant seaman with logistics expertise.
Between them the Taylors have more than 100 years of experience within the shipping industry, having as a family operated Hull Ship Stores, later HSS International, since 1925.
Alex Taylor became Managing Director in 2005 and under his leadership Hutton’s has focused on specialised ship supply. He has overseen the company’s expansion to become the UK’s leading supplier to the marine industry.
This new era for Hutton’s has seen the company locate to a larger, new warehouse facility in Hull, open more branches to ensure comprehensive UK-wide coverage, expand significantly through mergers and acquisitions, and build a reputation as a reliable provider of good value and quality products and services to ships calling at UK ports.
Hutton’s Group is now expanding internationally. Responding to customer requests, Hutton’s Group has established a reliable and quality ship supply network in West Africa. Area Supply Bases in the safe and stable areas of Takoradi, Ghana and in Luba Free Port, Equatorial Guinea, are supported by branches in Liberia and Ivory Coast, enabling Hutton’s Group to offer tax free provisions, consumables, medical supplies, logistics and stores handling to the West African offshore oil and gas industries and wider maritime community.
Hutton’s Group continues to develop and further international expansion is planned over coming years – meaning even more customers in more areas worldwide will have access to Hutton’s high quality and reliable services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year round.
Hutton’s Timeline
-
1820
Started as Hull’s first iron monger known as Metcalfe’s.
-
1827
Hutton & Co Ships Chandlers born.
-
1896
Taylor Bros, a Hull grocer, begins to supply ship provisions.
-
1914
1918 – Hutton’s helps the war effort by supplying ships visiting the River Humber.
-
1921
Hull Ship Stores established increasing the Taylor’s product range to cover all shipping items.
-
1922
Hull Ship Stores undertakes its first export order to the four-masted barque “Bellands” in St Nazaire, France. The order included 80 barrels of salted beef and 5,000 sq yards of sail canvas.
-
1945
Following World War II local ship owners acquire the company and appoint Alan Marshall to run the company.
-
1971
Hutton’s acquired by the Fitch Lovell Group, later becoming part of the Booker Group.
-
1987
Hull Ship Stores rebranded HSS International.
-
2000
Hutton’s acquired by the Taylor family and Alan Taylor appointed Managing Director.
-
2001
Hutton & Co Ship Chandlers and HSS amalgamated, trading as Hutton’s.
-
2005
Alex Taylor appointed Managing Director.
-
2005
Beruldsen’s, Edinburgh acquired and incorporated under the Hutton’s name as the first Scottish facility.
-
2005
Marine & Offshore Medical Supplies Ltd, specialist supplier of medical products and services to the shipping and offshore industries, acquired and rebranded Hutton’s Medical.
-
2006
Hutton’s opens Aberdeen office and warehouse facility to target the offshore oil and gas market.
-
2009
Pan Europe Ship Supply Ltd, Milford Haven, acquired thereby establishing a Milford Haven base for Hutton’s.
-
2010
Hutton’s acquires Pembroke-based ship supply specialist Lars Knutsen & Clode.
-
2012
Norfolk based offshore supply specialist Harbour Chandlery Marine Services merges with Hutton’s to become Hutton’s Renewables.
-
2012
Hutton’s Remote Site Services established in West Africa
-
2014
Hutton’s Renewables relocates to larger, quay-side premises in Great Yarmouth harbor.
-
2014
Hutton’s opens West Africa supply depot in Luba Freeport, Equatorial Guinea.
