Samuel Brown was born as the 2nd son of Enoch and Rachel Brown in August 1874, one of five children. Samuel married Hannah Brown (nee Wilding) in 1898, and they resided in the Bucknall area of Stoke-on-Trent. It was here they welcomed their 3rd son of ten children and eventual successor, Herbert Brown, who was born in 1902.

Samuel quit his job as Colliery Carter in the 1910’s and bought Mossfield Farm in nearby Werrington, changing his profession to Farmer. In 1921, aged 19, Herbert was assisting his father in general farm work at the farm alongside his day job as a Coal Carter.

Unfortunately, the enterprise was about to be abruptly interrupted by the outbreak of World War 2.

By the time Britain got involved, Samuel had retired, and Herbert was conscripted down the coal mines to help the war effort – putting the expanding business on hold.

During his time down the mines, Herbert was involved in an accident at Berryhill Colliery, Stoke-on-Trent, in 1941, narrowly escaping with his life in an incident that claimed the lives of several men. As a result, he left mining behind, enabling him to resurrect his father’s business in the post-war years.

By 1949, Herbert had successfully rebuilt the company, officially naming it as H BROWN for the first time. Horse and cart continued to be used to deliver materials to the Pottery industry and remove any waste in return.

Herbert Brown retired during the 1960’s and son William took over as Managing Director, when the business was operating out of Southfields Farm, Wetley Rocks, Staffordshire.

Crucially, general waste disposal was added to the company’s expanding services for the first time under William’s stewardship, laying the foundations to the business as it is today. Some of the earliest waste management contracts included Royal Doultons, H & R Johnsons, W.H.Grindley and Thomas Boultons Ltd.

The company expanded its operational reach by transporting coal to Cornwall and returning with clay for the Pottery industry.

Alongside the Southfields Farm site at Wetley Rocks, William bought out scrap metal merchants Singers (1989) Ltd and established Brown Recycling’s first waste management facility on Florida Close, Sneyd Hill Industrial Estate, Stoke-on-Trent.

This kickstarted Brown Recycling’s scrap metal and skip hire recycling services, enabling the business to truly establish a name for itself in the sector.

In this decade, Rod’s children Mitchel Brown and Dominique Brown were born in June 1983 and February 1985, respectively.

William retired in 1993 and Rod took full control as Managing Director, now the 4th generation family member to step into the role. His objective was clear: become the largest independent waste management provider in Staffordshire.

During the ensuing years he turned his ambition into reality, as H Brown & Son made several key business acquisitions, including Booths Newcastle Ltd, Trojan Prospects Ltd, R D Delicata and RJ Pass.

He also invested in future proofing infrastructure with a second site, Nevada Lane, acquired in 2002 and equipped with a brand-new cardboard baling facility to successfully achieve his vision and meet ever-growing demand.

Around this time, Mitch and Dominique became the latest generation to join the family business, starting on the yard and on the weighbridge in entry level jobs in 2003 and 2006, respectively. 

The 2010’s began exactly how the previous decade had left off, with further expansion in mind. In order to meet demand, the Sneyd Hill waste sorting capacity was expanded and in 2018 the service offering was bolstered to include secure destruction – enabled by an investment in a specialist confidential shredding facility.

It was 2023 when Mitch and Dominque Brown became joint Managing Directors of the business, with Rod Brown moving to the new role of Chairman. Finally, the business became Brown Recycling Limited in the same year!

Under their leadership, the business continued to grow with several new high-value total waste management contracts across Staffordshire, Cheshire and the Midlands — as well as national coverage offered for companies with sites or branches elsewhere across the country.