Innovation is at heart of longevity at historic firm

Founded in 1845 in Accrington, William Blythe is one of the longest surviving chemical businesses in the UK.

Innovation is at the heart of its longevity, says director Teresa Pepper.

The company began life supplying chemicals for Lancashire’s textile industry. Today it is heavily involved in and at the forefront of the development of advanced materials.

Pepper says: “The reason we have been in business for more than 180 years is because we are able to change, to keep renewing ourselves.

“We have changed a number of times throughout our history, the one theme that has been constant since the 1840s is innovation.

“Innovation and moving ahead is our mantra. We manage change well and we worry if we are not changing.”

The business has a 90-strong workforce and £40m turnover, with the vast majority of its chemical products exported overseas.

Pepper says being part of a FTSE 250-listed PLC gives William Blythe another edge when it comes to funding R&D.

That innovation approach has seen investment in analytical and R&D labs as its focus has shifted to new advanced materials development – work recognised in this year’s prestigious Chemicals Northwest Awards.

William Blythe’s team has also been working closely with the National Graphene Institute (NGI) in Manchester on battery technology and new energy storage solutions.

That partnership with William Blythe has allowed the University of Manchester’s graphene scientists greater access to the materials they need in their work, in particular graphene oxide.

William Blythe has also been working on the development of a UK supply chain for battery materials.

Pepper says: “There’s a big prize ahead for the business that can make real inroads in battery technology and the storing of energy.”