A History of Binder Ltd
Binder is an established family-run business based in Claydon, Suffolk trusted by customers for over 55 years. Discover more about our history and how the business has evolved into the company it is today.
You can also check out our interactive timeline!
Wallace Binder grew up in Suffolk on the family’s farm and as a young man worked on all aspects of farming, he married in March 1960 and son Charlie was born in June 1961 followed by Richard in 1963. This demanded a look at the income and diversification looked essential. A family friend purchased an old digger for additional part-time work and Wallace joined him for a local job installing a new septic tank. After completing the project, Wallace identified a gap in the market for an affordable concrete ring and he spent evenings and weekends developing a new solution, eventually leaving the family farm to pursue his business idea.
In 1963 Wallace’s grandfather, on his mother’s side, had a precast concrete business as well as his farm.
In 1964, Wallace started Binder Precast-Concrete providing concrete rings to homes and businesses across Suffolk. During the first year of business the organisers of the Suffolk Show moved to their permanent home at the Suffolk Showground (now known as Trinity Park) and Binder Precast-Concrete supplied the concrete rings for their sewage systems. They remain amongst the most loyal customers of Binder Ltd who still supply their needs
The move to Progress Works in Claydon, Suffolk took place in January 1966 and the business developed new concrete products to expand its product range. Further diversification took place and other products were made including the development of the oblong concrete ring, which remained a staple product for many years.
Binder Filler Maintenance was incorporated in 1972 to supply and service the pumps that were used in the septic tanks and the total number of staff grew to 10 as the business expanded.
Further diversification took place in 1979 when Binder Filter Maintenance took delivery of a complete package sewage treatment plant, manufactured in Finland. The business was amongst just 3 UK companies that took delivery.
Binder Construction was born in 1980 and Charlie Binder (son of Wallace) who had already completed his apprenticeship took over running this department for the supply and installation of sewage treatment plants and pump stations.
In 1986 all divisions of the business were incorporated to become Binder Ltd and the team-maintained responsibility of their respective specialism – Charlie Binder managing the construction side of the company, Richard Binder the maintenance team and Wallace Binder leading the development of the company.
In 1988 the business purchased its very first tanker, servicing residential homes and businesses with septic tanks and sewage treatment plants across Suffolk, Essex, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire. This developed the need for our own sewage treatment plant at our works to enable us to service breakdowns out of normal hours.
During 1991, Binder achieved its first certification. The ISO90001 standard is based on a number of quality management principles including a strong customer focus, the motivation and implication of top management, the process approach and continual improvement. These are all elements that remain central to the ethos of the business.
The family business continues to be expanded with Shaun Prendergast joining the team, overseeing the HR department, and managing a variety of Binder’s commercial customer accounts. Wallace’s grandchildren Ed Binder who oversees the IT department and Jenny Binder who is now the company accountant. The company now employs over 90 staff offering a wide range of services including installation, maintenance and repair, tankering and an onsite treatment facility.