The Story of Blake
Over two decades we have grown in a fast-changing world. A world where where algorithm and automation increasingly rule. Where human interaction can be reduced to the flick of a thumb, Where what is real and what is fake can be hard to separate. Where distance and time feel shorter. Where our resources and hope for the future are ever more precious. We grow because we value and embrace what is real in our world. We value real people doing real things for each other. At Blake we develop products and work together with our customers to make things real.
Business, Made Real.
Choice, Made Real.
Emotion, Made Real.
Experiences, Made Real.
Hope, Made Real.
Tomorrow, Made Real.
MADE REAL.
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April 1909
Tom Barter is born
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March 1950
Tim Barter (Chairman) is born
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May 1967
The story begins with a waste paper recycling business
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December 1970
Michael Barter (CEO) is born
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October 1973
Clarence Paper starts trading
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February 1976
Clarence Paper purchases its first warehouse
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November 1976
Clarence Paper wins the Westland paper contract
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July 1986
Michael Barter joins Clarence Paper
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October 1997
Blake Barter is born
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July 1999
Clarence Paper is sold
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August 2000
Blake starts trading
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April 2001
Blake builds its current warehouse (12,000sq. ft.)
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September 2002
Blake extend the warehouse building to 30,000 sq. ft.
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June 2008
Blake reaches £100 million cumulative turnover
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November 2012
Blake reaches £200 million cumulative turnover
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May 2013
Blake moves into new Clarence House HQ
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December 2014
Blake reaches £250 million cumulative turnover
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July 2016
Blake Barter joins Blake
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October 2016
Open first hub of excellence in Edinburgh, shortly followed by further hub openings in Leeds, Manchester and London
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February 2017
Blake reaches £300 million cumulative turnover
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November 2017
Graham Carlin is appointed as Blake’s MD
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June 2018
The fifth Blake hub opens, this one in Leicester
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July 2018
Blake USA starts as we open our first international hub in Cleveland, Ohio
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June 2019
Blake GmbH starts as we open our first European hub in Düsseldorf, Germany