Family-owned fire protection equipment supplier Newflame of Yaxley celebrates 50 years in business

Newflame Fire Equipment Company, based in Carlton House, in Willow Road, traces its origins back to Church Lane, in Fletton, when it was jointly created by Steve Best and John Landon who teamed up when they left the East Anglian Regional Health Authority where they had worked as fire officers and trainers.

It was set up on November 76, 1975, and says current MD Stephen Best, son of its founder, the company has been the heart of the Best family and serving the community ever since.

Five decades since its creation, Newflame is still a family run business with Stephen and his wife, June, at the helm, working alongside siblings, sons, daughters-in-law, nieces, nephews as well as a number of loyal and longstanding employees.

In 2012, the company also acquired Orton-based firm Thistle Fire & Security, further solidifying their place within the community.

Today, the two companies employ a total of 25 people with 19 vehicles.

Over the years the company has been through a number of ups and downs.

These included a decision by the company’s bank in 1982 to suddenly reduce the overdraft of £40,000 down to £20,000.

Newflame went from seven members of staff to four and offloaded its alarms business.

Two years later, Newflame had increased staffing six and turnover increased to £ 124,000.

But in August 1995 Steve HD Best became ill and retired and passed away nine months later.

The reins of the business were taken up by his son, Stephen Best.

By the end of 2011 the company had managed to break the £1,000,000 turnover.

Mr Best said: “We are still a family firm, with myself and June running the business with my mother, June Best still on the payroll, Peter Best a fully qualified electrician, Stephen Best in his final year as an electrical apprentice, Richard Scotcher my nephew running the service side and my sister Julie Scotcher looking after sales ledger.

"Not only has Newflame been serving businesses and residents for an extensive period of time but the Best (and Scotcher) family are also well known in the area for their involvement in local cricket.”