A landscaping supplier that began with a trailer in a Buckinghamshire farmyard has marked its 25th anniversary by returning to the site of its very first delivery, reflecting on a journey that has seen the business grow into a major regional operator.
George Davies Turf & Stone, founded in Olney in 2001, recreated its first order by delivering turf once again to the original address in Finedon, Northamptonshire, where George Davies supplied his first roll of turf. The moment offered a reminder of the company’s early days, when operations were based entirely out of his father’s farm.
What started as a small diversification project has since developed into one of the UK’s largest independent suppliers of turf and landscaping materials, serving customers across Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire and Hertfordshire.
George said the anniversary provided an opportunity to reflect on how the business began and the decisions that shaped its growth. “When I started selling turf it was simply a way to supplement income from the farm. After university, I was working on my dad’s farm and looking at ways to diversify. I explored alternative crops, but the upfront investment was too high. Being close to Milton Keynes, which was rapidly growing, I realised there was strong demand for turf and decided to invest my £15,000 savings into a franchise. Once I’d done that, I had no choice but to make it work.”
In its earliest phase, the business operated from the farmyard, where turf was delivered, stored and collected by customers. “Everything started in my dad’s yard. That’s where the turf was delivered, stored and where customers would come to collect. It really was the heart of the business in those early days,” George said.
Deliveries were initially carried out using a Peugeot 306 and trailer, with an honesty box in place for collections. “Back then I was delivering turf myself using a Peugeot 306 with a trailer and operating an honesty box for people collecting from the yard. Recreating that first delivery feels like a lovely way to mark the journey and remember where it all began,” he said.
As demand increased, the business expanded its operations, investing in larger vehicles and increasing delivery capacity while maintaining a focus on customer service. Word of mouth helped to establish the company’s reputation among landscapers and homeowners, supporting steady growth across the region.
Today, the business delivers more than 1.4 million rolls of turf and over 13,000 bags of landscaping materials each year, supplying projects ranging from domestic gardens to high-profile locations including Silverstone Circuit, St James’s Palace and the Chelsea Flower Show.
The company now operates from sites in Olney and St Albans and employs a team of 30 staff. Over time, it has broadened its offering beyond turf to include a full range of landscaping materials, allowing customers to source multiple products from a single supplier.
Alongside its commercial growth, the business has remained closely connected to the local community, supporting events such as Olney’s Pancake Race and working with organisations including Hertfordshire Zoo to supply materials for new habitats.
“We’ve always believed in supporting the communities that support us. Whether it’s local events or projects that help conservation and animal welfare, it’s important that our business gives something back,” George said.
Looking ahead, George said the milestone reflects both the progress made and the opportunities still to come. “We’re incredibly proud of the journey so far but with a great team around us and continued demand from customers, the future feels just as exciting as the past.”
