Our History

ECY Holdings Limited was founded in 1961, by brothers Eric and Colin Yarwood.

Today, the business remains a family affair, being owned and run by the sons of the firm's founders, cousins Richard and Philip Yarwood. Celebrating over 55 years of ECY, Richard and Philip look back over the last five decades and reflect on what has made the business the success it is today.

1960s

Eric and Colin were working for their father's (John Yarwood) contracting business. On his retirement, they formed ECY and carried on with most of the road contracts. Arrow breakers were bought to do the breaking-out of roads and concrete-breaking, ready for reconstruction. This was started after the council's road contracts dried up.

In the late 60s, a hire fleet of air-powered rock-breakers was established in the company.

One memorable job was to move a war memorial into the gardens opposite St Margaret's Church, in Altrincham.

1970s

Selling rock-breakers developed from the nationwide hire business. Hydraulic breakers were invented, and ECY became a dealer for Montabert breakers, which was the start of a 20-year relationship. A large hire fleet of rock-breakers was built up, servicing the whole of the UK. A large Liebherr excavator, fitted with the largest Montabert breaker in the world, was purchased to carry out contract breaking jobs. Also, during this time, road-planing contracts were carried out using the company's BJD road-planer.

1980s

Eric saw the potential for the supply and sale of Armco barriers, so he moved into this arena, adding a new dimension to the company. This began as supply only, but soon evolved into a full installation service.

The early eighties saw the founder's sons, Richard and Philip, joining the family business.

After a successful 20-year relationship with Montabert, it was decided to start selling and hiring the Rammer range of breakers, giving ECY access to a range of larger breakers, to meet the increasing demand from the demolition and quarrying industry.

1990s

With the retirement of Eric and Colin, cousins Richard and Philip moved forward to lead the company and became owner-directors. As the business was expanding rapidly, a decision was made to move premises, out of the centre of Altrincham, to the current base at Appleton Thorn Trading Estate near Warrington.

Haulmark Equipment, which was formed in 1992 by another local businessman, was purchased by Richard and Philip in 1995 and inaugurated into the ECY group.

This era also saw ECY Haulmark become the sole UK supplier for VTN Europe demolition and recycling attachments and Dynaset hydraulic magnets.

200s

The Armco installation side of the business continued to grow, with some high-profile contracts, for example refurbishing NCP car parks, upgrading barriers and fencing at Manchester Airport and many retail parks, such as Tesco.

ECY Haulmark was awarded the prestigious UK and Ireland dealership for the Stanley LaBounty range of demolition and scrap-processing shears. This was closely followed by the appointment of the innovative, Swedish-manufactured OilQuick quick coupler systems.

During this period, the company also became an associate member of the National Federation of Demolition Contractors.

2010s

ECY Haulmark today continues to move from strength to strength, securing a dealership for FRD Furukawa rock-breakers, one of the largest and most respected breaker manufacturers in the world, now providing ECY with a winning combination of the UK's most experienced breaker dealer teaming up with the world's most experienced breaker manufacturer.