Edmed Coal is 90 Years Young!

In 2007 Edmed Coal celebrated our 90th birthday. We were featured Downs Mail and below is a copy of the article.

It All Started With a Pub Handshake!

Few businesses could change hands today without small print by the mile, hordes of solicitors and plenty of expense. But a company celebrating its 90th birthday this year started in rather for informal style.

Steve Edmed is the third generation of his family to run Edmed Coal, now based just outside Sittingbourne in the village of Newington, but started by his grandfather in 1917 when the First World War was still going strong with all the carnage it entailed. Percy Edmed, now long gone liked a pint of beer or several and he struck a deal to buy a coal business over a handshake in the pub. Despite his liking for ale and a background more in bricks than coal, he had a horse which stayed rather more sober and saw him through his round before coming back to the yard.

In those days, a round might only consist of two or three streets with most houses relying on coal fires.
The business at Milton Regis, Sittingbourne, had been a coal yard from well back in the 1800s and passed on to Steve’s dad. When the Second World War was over, he made a major investment by buying a lorry and that took the business on to a new level.
Steve’s dad, now 83, worked hard to build up the family business and that was no mean feat with seven coal merchants in the immediate vicinity.
Despite rumours of coal being a dead business, Steve still runs lucrative business and by keeping up to date with changing trends, he can feel confident of reaching that centenary 10 years hence.
He has found that many people enjoy the sight of a coal fire as a focal point in their house and it also makes economic sense.
There are still coalfields in Britain able to supply high-grade coal at a good price – certainly cheaper than any imports.
Steve said: “Demand for coal is in decline to some extent but we are still selling our share of fuel.
“To keep up to date, you have always got to think of ways of diversifying t o keep things ticking over.”
Steve is also an accomplished chimney sweep and finds that work alone brings up to 600 calls a year, as well as a request or several to attend weddings to bestow good luck on the happy couple.
As with most businesses, there is normally a team behind the scenes helping to develop the business and take it in new directions. In Edmed’s case these are Lee Roberts, yard manager &distribution, & Shirley Spokes managing administration.
His dad still finds it strange that he goes much further afield for business these days but it is worthwhile – that 100th birthday will soon be along!

Unit Z1A Newington Ind.Estate then "Follow the signs for the stove shop" Tel 0800 0852029 07866 367062 email: edmedltd@edmedcoal.co.uk