From a flat-back van to a Manchester manufacturer.

In the late 60s, Harry's passion and knowledge of the aluminium industry drew his eldest son Richard's interest. Instead of investing his savings in a newsagent's cabin in central Manchester, Richard offered them to his father — establishing Constant Aluminium Supplies Ltd in 1970. Suggested names had also included ABC Aluminium and Express Aluminium before the family settled on Constant.

Vera, Harry's wife, became the company's Secretary, with Harry leading the way on buying and selling aluminium to local businesses alongside Richard labouring (or 'goffering' as Richard calls it). Deliveries went out by hand or by bus. With orders flourishing, the company bought their first 'truck' for a modest £75 — and their bus-travelling days were over.

Richard had met Maggie, and unknowingly to Harry, the legacy of the company was set to continue with Matthew (Matt) and Emma born in 1978 and '82.

With business skills like his father's, Richard started to build his own contacts and grew the company after Harry's passing. He saw an early niche in the market to use his left-over aluminium sheets to produce fingerplates and kick plates. Constant Engineering, as it was then known, was born.

Maggie left her career as a respected teacher and joined Richard, initially as 'the sales girl', taking calls at home from prospective customers and passing orders to Richard the next day to manufacture and deliver. Once Vera retired, Maggie officially became the company Secretary.

In 2015, the company changed name to Constant Group Ltd to reflect the depth of the business' brands and multiple divisions. As a stroke of luck, the name changed on Richard's birthday — the 10th of April — which certainly helped with the diplomatic side of broaching the 'Dad, we've changed the company name' conversation.

"45 years ago I couldn't have envisaged being part of a company providing metalwork to companies around the world. Today we employ over 80 people from the Oldham and Manchester area — something I'd never have thought possible when I started up with my father in the 70s. I never have to win the lottery. I've got my family and the business, and to me, that's my lottery win."

Richard sits proudly as Chairman with Maggie as Financial Director, alongside Matt and Emma as joint MDs. The family business has continued to grow with Jayne, Matt's wife, and David, husband to Emma, joining as Business Development Manager and Operations Manager respectively.

Over time the fabrication side of the company grew into a flourishing precision sheet metal manufacturing business, now supplying FTSE 100–500 companies, leading high-street brands and our local Oldham council.