PARRS History - Through the Years
Established in 1886, PARRS is a family-owned British business with more than 140 years of experience in manual handling equipment and workplace products.
From our beginnings as a traditional wheelwright in Birmingham, we have continually adapted to meet the changing needs of our customers. Today, we supply leading retailers, logistics companies, public sector organisations and manufacturers across the UK.
Our heritage is rooted in manufacturing, craftsmanship and practical solutions. Alongside a carefully selected range of international brands, we remain proud to manufacture our own PARRS Kick Step here in Britain.
1886 - The Beginning
In September 1886, Francis Parr established his wheelwright business in Birmingham, serving the growing demand for transporting people and goods across Victorian Britain.
As the business expanded, Francis employed a blacksmith to produce iron fittings for Hansom cabs. The company went on to manufacture wheels for tradesmen’s carts, flower trolleys and funeral biers, establishing the foundations of PARRS’ reputation for skilled craftsmanship.
By the beginning of the First World War, PARRS had become a major UK manufacturer of wooden wheelbarrows, many of which were used in the construction of trenches on the Western Front.
1920s - Adapting to Change
As technology developed and the use of horse-drawn carriages declined, PARRS adapted its product range.
Remaining at its original premises on Dean Street, the business increasingly focused on sack trucks and porter's trucks. Built for durability, some of these early products are still in use in Birmingham’s wholesale markets today.
Sack trucks remain an important part of the PARRS business to this day.
1930s - A Growing Reputation
In 1933, PARRS officially became a registered business. By then, the company had established itself as a leading supplier of sack trucks, barrows, coal trucks and porter's trucks in Birmingham.
The decade also brought another important chapter in the company’s history. In 1939, PARRS supported the war effort by manufacturing and supplying barrows for the British Army.
1950s & 1960s - New Materials, New Opportunities
The post-war years brought significant changes in manufacturing.
Steel increasingly replaced wood as the material of choice for trucks and trolleys, while lightweight aluminium ladders began to replace traditional timber designs.
PARRS continued to evolve alongside these changes, expanding its product range and building on its manufacturing expertise.
1970s - A New Home
After many successful decades on Dean Street, redevelopment of the Birmingham Wholesale Markets meant that PARRS had to leave its original premises.
The business moved to a purpose-built site on Sherlock Street, where it opened a showroom and expanded its range to include products such as ladders, steps and pallet trucks.
During this period, the business was acquired by the Scholes family, beginning a new chapter in the PARRS story.
1980s Reaching a Wider Market
The 1980s saw the launch of the first PARRS catalogue.
Distance selling opened up new opportunities, allowing PARRS to reach customers across the UK and expand beyond its Birmingham roots.
1990s - Moving to Redditch
In the 1990s, PARRS moved once again, relocating to a purpose-built facility in Redditch, Worcestershire.
The business continued to expand its catalogue, which eventually grew to more than 15,000 products across 750 pages.
2000s - The Digital Era
The way businesses and consumers purchased products began to change rapidly with the growth of the internet and e-commerce.
PARRS responded by launching its website and beginning its transition from traditional catalogue sales to digital commerce.
2010s - Deveoping the Online Business
The 2010s marked a period of continued growth and development.
PARRS invested heavily in its website and online customer experience, making it easier and more efficient for customers to find and purchase the products they needed.
2020 - A New Challenge
The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to businesses and supply chains around the world.
PARRS responded by helping customers access essential PPE, while adapting its own operations to support colleagues working from home.
The pandemic was followed by further supply chain disruption, rising costs and longer lead times. In response, PARRS refocused on its core expertise in manual handling equipment, while accelerating its digital strategy.
After many years as a cornerstone of the business, the annual printed catalogue was retired as PARRS shifted its focus towards a more flexible digital model.
2023 - A New Generation
In January 2023, Richard Scholes stepped back from his role as Managing Director, with Julie Green taking over as CEO.
Julie had already been part of PARRS for 24 years, bringing extensive knowledge of the business, its products and its customers into the next chapter of the company’s history.
Today, PARRS continues to develop its range of manual handling products, seeking innovative solutions while drawing on more than a century of industry experience. Alongside its standard range, the team also works with customers to develop bespoke solutions for specific requirements.
2026 - 140 Years of PARRS
In 2026, PARRS celebrates 140 years in business.
Across those 140 years, the world has changed dramatically. PARRS has witnessed two World Wars, global pandemics, economic booms and downturns, and profound changes in technology and industry.
Yet the fundamental principle behind the business has remained remarkably consistent.
In 1886, Francis Parr built his business by providing reliable, well-made handling products to customers who needed practical solutions.
Today, PARRS continues to do exactly that.
140 years on, our products may have changed, our technology has certainly changed, but our commitment to quality, reliability and practical solutions remains at the heart of PARRS.