On Tuesday 23rd August 2005, Arrow celebrated it’s 21st birthday!

Initially formed as a waste oil collection company in 1984, such was the demand for our services, it wasn’t long before we expanded into other activities, tank and industrial cleaning and dealing with other effluents, which led to the formation of Arrow Environmental Services in 1986. Diversifying and developing new services along the way has been the main ingredients of our success.

James Devereaux

James Devereaux (pictued right), who has been with the company from its formation, recalls those early days of running the business from an uncomfortable and leaky caravan situated on a small industrial unit in Black Lake, West Bromwich. “I’m pleased to say that the business has come on leaps and bounds since those early days of sitting in an old caravan with just a few pot and pans (to catch the rainwater) for company. We didn’t stay long at Black Lake as the yard became too small, for our fleet of three tankers!! After discussing the problem with an old friend, who offered to let us have the use his land, Ralph Arrowsmith (founder of Arrow) decided to move the business to Oldbury, where Arrow Environmental Services was established. James goes onto say that although we didn’t intend to move from there, the Council had other ideas about developing the land. Some seven years later we moved to our present location in Kelvin Way, six years after the move to Exchange Works we opened another office in Wrexham and as they say, the rest is history.

From running two tankers to a present day fleet of 18 vehicles and ancillary equipment, Arrow has come a long way since those early days thanks to the dedication and efforts of all our staff. On behalf of the Board, I would ask you to raise a glass and wish Arrow a very happy birthday! Aswell as to help celebrate Arrow’s success for many years to come.