Brinkworth-based Watson Petroleum is celebrating its 50th anniversary, making it one of the longest established companies in Swindon.

Last year the company was named the biggest privately owned mid-market company in Wiltshire in the Sunday Times HSBC Top Track 250 league table and ranked 25th overall, alongside such household names as Weetabix, Selfridges and the Telegraph Group.

The company was also named the top privately owned fuel distributor in the UK. However, it has reached these heights from fairly humble beginnings. It was originally set up in 1957 - in the same decade as other Swindon giants such as Pressed Steel (Swindon Pressings) and Vickers – with just one tanker operating from a group of corrugated buildings set amid busy railway sheds in Swindon. 

Today the company has an annual turnover of more than £300m and employs over 400 people, approximately a quarter of whom have been with the company for more than 10 years – the longest service record being 41 years. Its fleet of 180 distinctive red tankers operates from 30 depots across the country from Lancashire to Cornwall.

The company founder still plays a role in the direction of the company but has devolved its day-to-day management to the capable hands of his son, Tony jnr, who is assisted by his brother Andrew and other members of the management team.

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