Staff at a South Yorkshire company which has supplied equipment to firms across the country for 200 years has clocked up more than five centuries of service between them.

Arden Winch, which started out as the R. Richmond and Son Brush Company, has always been a key supplier to the manufacturing and engineering sector, providing not only brushes but personal protection equipment such as gloves, boots and work wear.

The company, which has a headquarters in Sheffield along with offices in Nottingham and Featherstone employing around 40 people, has also expanded into selling hygiene and janitorial products as well as embroidery services to businesses, schools, universities and emergency service teams.

Arden Winch has also been strengthened by its partnership with Eurosafe, the leading independent safety equipment and work wear distributors in the UK and Ireland. Arden Winch's relationship with Eurosafe means it has access to a combined purchasing power of £70 million, access to major brands, professional safety specialists and is quality assured.

Steve Barker, managing director at Arden Winch, is one member of staff who has enjoyed long-service with the company after starting his career aged 17 as an office junior.

He took on the running of the company with sales director John Steel and HR director Julie Davison three years ago.

Steve said: "We are delighted to be celebrating our 200^th anniversary this year - it's such a remarkable milestone. From our modest roots as a brush company, we have continued to develop, diversify and challenge ourselves. It has often been challenging in tough economic climates and competitive markets, but we are proud of our progress.

"Central to the success of Arden Winch has been our loyal staff, many of which have been with the company for more than 25 years. The management team alone has more than 100 years service between us.

"We are now looking forward to the future of the company and hope that in years to come, Arden Winch will still be a familiar and trustworthy name in the business community."

It all started for Arden Winch in 1812, when the firm was called the R. Richmond and Son Brush Company. In 1939, Laurence Arden Winch bought the brush works, then on Bath Street, Sheffield. Laurence's grandson Nicholas is currently a non-executive director of the company, retaining the company's family link.

In the mid 1960s the company diversified by starting to sell a broader range of products, including safety boots, protective eye wear and high-visibility clothing.