From hand-sawn mahogany in Birmingham to today’s Atherstone yard. Six generations have shaped the business since 1862.
1862
Founder – 1862
John Sykes
John Sykes founded the business in 1862, initially in partnership with James Stevens, trading from modest premises in Sheepcote Street, Birmingham. Working at the heart of the Industrial Midlands, he imported Yellow Pine from Canada, Deal from the Baltic, and Mahoganies from Cuba, British Honduras, and West Africa. The company supplied vital materials for horse-drawn transport, including oak spokes and elm hubs, with mahogany logs hand-sawn in on-site saw pits—two men and a ten-foot saw converting vast timbers into boards.
1870
Second Generation – Joined 1870
George Sykes
George Sykes joined the business at just 14 years old and spent three decades building it alongside his father. Taking over in 1900, he expanded operations with additional yards in Sheepcote Street and Darlaston. Under his leadership, the company embraced mechanisation, installing power-driven saws and using canal barges to bring in logs for conversion and air-drying—positioning the business firmly within the industrial growth of the Midlands.
1913
Third Generation – Joined 1913
Joseph Sykes
Joseph Sykes entered the business in 1913, though his early years were interrupted by military service in France and Italy during the First World War. On his return, he modernised transport by introducing lorries and retiring the last horse in 1920. Becoming Managing Director in 1936, he led the company through a period of transition, moving away from canal transport and establishing a fully road-based logistics operation.
1942
Fourth Generation – MD from 1971
Stephen Sykes
Stephen Sykes joined the business in 1942 before serving with the Royal Leicestershire Regiment during the Second World War. In the post-war years, he played a key role in the company’s controlled expansion as timber trade restrictions eased. Recognising the limitations of the existing yards, he oversaw the strategic move to Atherstone in 1966. Appointed Managing Director in 1971, Stephen led rapid development of the new site, establishing the foundations of the modern business.
1990s
Fifth Generation – Early 1990s
Richard & Bob Sykes
Bob Sykes and Richard Sykes jointly ran the business from the early 1990s until 2026. Their stewardship was marked by sustained investment in buildings, machinery and infrastructure, alongside steady expansion into new markets. Following Richard’s departure in 2026, Sykes continues to evolve under Bob’s leadership and the next generation of the family, while remaining firmly rooted in its family-owned values.
2021
Sixth Generation – Joined 2021
Joseph Sykes
Joseph Sykes became the sixth generation of the Sykes family to join the business in 2021 and was appointed Director in 2026. Since joining, he has helped drive strong growth across the business, opening up new markets, developing the Sykes offering and bringing a more modern approach to the company. His focus is on continuing to grow Sykes while building on the reputation and values established over more than 160 years.
The move to Atherstone in 1966 brought the room needed for the next stage of the business. The site has continued to develop through investment in storage, buildings and timber-processing machinery.
