About Us

The company traces its routes back to Bradford in 1856, when it was founded to supply various materials to industry in and around that city. Over the years it developed in many different directions, but eventually focused on the supply of speciality chemicals for processing wool textiles. Up until the late 1960's Bradford and West Yorkshire was the world’s largest processor of wool, but thereafter the industry began to move away and we found it necessary to diversify into other areas of chemistry. This resulted in us eventually becoming one of the world leaders in the supply of chemicals for the recycling of waste paper - still a key part of our business today - and also developing a range of products for processing rubber for the tyre industry, in which we are now one of the key world suppliers.

The amalgamation of Thos. Bentley & Son with Stephenson Bros and the subsequent take over of J.C. Thompson Ltd formed the foundation of the current Stephenson Group and the manufacturing operations were focused on the factory in Horsforth, Leeds and since 2007 the company is solely located on this site.

The move in to personal care products in the late 1990's brought a whole new dimension to the company and is the latest business development which now forms a key part of the group's operations.

Stephenson Group is now owned by Thos. Bentley & Son Ltd, and Jamie Bentley, who is the Chief Executive Officer, is the fifth generation of the family to be involved with the company.