A family-run plumbing and heating company is celebrating its 70th anniversary.

The Evans Group, based in Bourne End, was started by Ray Evans, who worked as a plumber in Burnham.

After several years, he got the chance to provide services for a new build developer, Laing Homes, which proved to be a turning point for him and his business, R.G.Evans.

By 1978 R.G.Evans had grown into a small plumbing and heating business providing specialist plumbing and heating services to new build developers including Laing Homes, Linden Homes and Taylor Wimpey.

The firm became a limited company operating across Buckinghamshire and Berkshire with a small team of five employees, which included his two sons, Martyn and Andrew Evans.

In 1987, Martyn took over the business from his father and continued to develop the company with his brother and staff.

By 2000, R.G.Evans had set up a design company called Evans Designs, which would support the clients of R.G.Evans with pre-contract designs and blueprints.

This led to the formation of the Evans Group which is now made up of four companies: Evans Design, R.G.Evans (contracts), Heppelthwaite, the Red Van Plumbers (aftercare) and Heppelthwaite Green Building Solutions (renewable energy).

Combined, the group provides services to individual home owners, to large new build developers and commercial builders.

R.G.Evans now has a turnover of more than £10,000,000 with 35 full-time employees and relationships with more than 30 subcontracted labourers and specialist contractors, providing services such as design, underfloor heating, dry risers and sprinklers, plant rooms and ventilation.

Martyn chairman of the Evans Group, while Andy is the managing director of R.G.Evans.

The pair’s sons are also now involved in the business, with Gary, Martyn’s son, taking the helm as MD of Heppelthwaite the Red Van Plumbers and commercial director of the Evans Group, while Darren, the son of Andy, is a senior engineer for the group.

A spokesman for the firm said: “Over the decades, through the property booms and also the crashes, the Evans Group has successfully adapted to the industry.

“It has seized every opportunity to evolve and remain an active and innovative partner for its new build developer and commercial clients, as well as serving the local community. The business has grown successfully over the last 50 years having developed an outstanding reputation based on its commitment to safety, training, on-site supervision, planning and after sales care for our customers.”